Problems of moving - Keep Your Life, Family and Career Intact While Living Abroad - page 2

M OVING EXPERIENCES
M OVING OVERSEAS OFFERS one of the most exciting opportunities any person can ever ex-
perience. Whether one is moving abroad by choice or by assignment, there is much to look
forward to: travel, exotic cultures, foods and languages. And, naturally, things to worry
about: health, climate, homesickness, and the unfamiliar and unknown.
If one has never lived in a foreign country before, it is hard to imagine what it will be like.
But even for those who have relocated two or three times, each move is different, promising
new pleasures and new pains.
Moving to another country is a stressful experience, whether the move is permanent or
for a specific period of time. Most people move for positive reasons, such as career transfer,
starting a better life abroad, or sheer wanderlust. They look forward to the change of scenery
with anticipation and excitement. Yet as the departure date looms nearer, tiny doubts and
anxieties begin to add up to mental and physical stress. Such concerns are normal, even pre-
dictable. They are best dealt with before the move rather than after.
S TRESS BEFORE THE MOVE
Lilian, age 34, will be moving to Australia with her husband and daughter in six months. For
over three weeks she has been suffering from insomnia. She saw her physician, who referred
her for psychotherapy.
Lilian says she used to be an easy-going person. But during the past several weeks she
found herself moody and frequently snapping at her husband. She has lost interest in
and is unable to concentrate on her job.
“I don't know why I should feel so anxious. I thought I was all prepared for the move,”
she said.
Lilian's reaction is not surprising. She is going through a major change in life and is un-
able to cope with the stress involved. Not understanding what she is going through makes
her even more anxious and unable to deal with it in an appropriate manner.
Moving abroad is a stressful event which demands a great deal of emotional strength.
Many factors contribute to such stress.
First, one has to deal with a major restructuring of the family. Separation from relatives
can stir up enormous sadness and guilt, especially when elderly parents are being left behind.
This may be taken as disloyalty or abandonment, which can be particularly stressful for
people from certain cultural or religious backgrounds, such as Asians or Catholics, because