What makes expatriates feel uncomfortable and ill at ease while living abroad?
These factors vary according to an individual’s personality type, but the primary factor is stress. Managing major changes related to culture, language and unfamiliar surroundings, and adapting to a new life in a constructive way can be extremely stressful as well as reduce confidence and self-esteem. Even the most mundane tasks of daily life can seem difficult, like making a telephone call.
It takes a lot of energy and effort to set up in a new country. After an intense period of settling in, you may experience an emotional void in the absence of the familiar things you’ve left behind. A feeling of nostalgia and even sadness may engulf you. Grieving takes its course, and a certain degree of depression is normal at this stage. Everyone knows it’s impossible to be happy all the time! However, a feeling of overwhelming depression lasting more than two weeks is alarming and should be addressed.