Having lived abroad for several years gave me the opportunity to learn about different cultures and to relate to the challenges you might be faced with when moving and living abroad.
This mobilizing, difficult and wonderful experience left traces on me. It led me to investigate and internalize the common problems experienced by the members of a family that migrates or expatriates.
Some of these are:
- Rootlessness and cultural identity issues
- Unresolved grief
- Cultural mismatch
- TCK (Third Culture Kids) / CCK (Cross Cultural Kids) / ACCK (Adult Cross Cultural Kids)
- Accompanying couple issues
Each one of these problems, inherent to the migratory experience, is added to our own conflicts and difficulties that, of course, “move” with us. These personal conflicts can appear amplified in the new destination generating anxieties, anguishes or symptoms that produce suffering.
Although the Expats share many of these common experiences, each experience is unique and impacts on each person in a different way. Some difficulties may, due to their own dynamics, evolve and yield, and others will require greater attention and if they do not yield, it will be advisable to consult with a professional to be able to work on them.
The EXPAT experience is neither good nor bad. It has many advantages to capitalize and some aspects to consider, to avoid major problems.