Question: A new country, a new language, and a new culture… Suddenly, I feel as if I have been reborn in a different world. I fear that my own way of life and beliefs will be lost in this new environment. That’s why I close myself off to my surroundings. I struggle to learn the language and hesitate to communicate at school.
Answer: Sometimes, along with the beauty, changes can also bring some difficulties. Everything new is initially foreign to us and can even appear as a threat at times. If we know what we are facing, we can assess whether it is a danger or not. Learning the language of the country we live in, getting to know its beliefs, and becoming familiar with its values can help us integrate into this new culture and reduce the feeling of being a stranger.
Is it necessary to completely change our lifestyle to live in a new country?
One alternative is to diversify rather than change what you already have. Instead of thinking, “I can no longer use my own language,” you can think, “I am enriching my intellectual and social life by learning a new language.”
Rather than saying, “The culture of the country I live in seems strange to me,” you can observe and think, “What virtuous values can I incorporate into my lifestyle to add depth?”
Instead of saying, “We have very different beliefs,” you can ponder, “What do our beliefs have in common?”
Accepting the new doesn’t mean we have to reject what already exists. Wishing your life to be more colorful and multi-dimensional…
