One of the deadly sins immigrants and expats commit regularly is comparing their journeys with others in similar situations.
Each experience is unique and takes place across different timeframes and circumstances. As such, although cultural adjustment takes place over four different stages, some individuals may skip a couple of them or last more or less on each. Most importantly, by comparing yourself to another expat you may be comparing two different stages of the journey.
That’s why some immigrants in the face of adversity respond with frustration and anger, and others take it in stride with humor or simply shrug it off—the latter has already gone through the cultural shock phase and find themselves in the much more pleasant Humor stage.
Also known as Acceptance or Adaptation, this part of the cultural adjustment begins to take place as soon as you start to gather knowledge and friends in your journey. Once you understand the nuances of your new culture, minor missteps do not seem as aggravating as they once were. Likewise, after gathering a small but solid group of acquaintances and friends, you begin to feel more supported through the mishaps. Similarly, getting a stable source of income can reduce the number of worries and anxieties towards the future. In short, the Humor stage is when you start seeing the fruits of your effort, you begin to integrate with the culture, and you have the means to take conflict and problems with, well, humor. It doesn’t come out of nowhere, so do not feel discouraged if you see others facing adversity with a different energy—with time and energy, you will get there, too.
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