Psychological challenges while living abroad – cybernomads, expats and a new chapter in life. How does Poland host English-speakers?

Starting a life abroad involves numerous challenges. Besides the more predictable difficulties like encountering a new culture and language, there are also less obvious ones. Adapting to a new environment can be challenging. The excitement of new experiences mixes with uncertainty, and ordinary things can suddenly carry unexpected complications.

One of the biggest challenges faced by foreigners is the feeling of isolation and loneliness. The lack of close relationships and support from family and friends can lead to a drop in mood and a sense of helplessness. Additionally, difficulties in communication and cultural differences can exacerbate this state. Living in a new country can be very stressful and demanding. Building a new social network takes time, social skills, and a certain amount of creativity. Larger cities offer groups for foreigners, enabling the exchange of experiences, and often integration occurs naturally through contact with neighbors or colleagues. When one feels that despite efforts, it is difficult to develop a social network, a visit to a psychologist might be helpful. Such consultation can help develop social skills and address factors such as heightened anxiety levels that hinder natural relationship-building.

Once this difficulty is overcome, one faces the additional challenge of cultural differences within relationships, especially close ones. Relationships themselves can sometimes be compared to turbulent waters, where it’s not always clear how to navigate. Cultural differences add another layer of twists and turns, taking us to unexpected places. Each of us enters a relationship with certain expectations and ideas, which are verified by the relationship itself. Cultural differences related to roles, whether of a woman, man, husband, or wife, are derived from our families, environments, and cultural circles. Some of these differences are conscious, but many remain as automatic behaviors. This creates a ready ground for conflicts, as we often do not realize that what seems natural to us is an unspoken expectation for our partner. The solution here is open communication, although difficult and frustrating, it provides a space to find mutual compromises.

Beyond domestic life, the work environment can also be a challenge. Not every expat has the opportunity to work remotely while being employed by a company headquartered outside Poland. Most decide to look for new jobs near their new place of residence. This move facilitates integration and the creation of new social networks. Additionally, the relatively good situation in the Polish job market offers many opportunities for professional development. On the other hand, it requires employees to face a different work culture. The task is easier for those who decide to work in international corporations, which to some extent standardize their organizational culture. Greater challenges involve integrating into smaller companies or starting to provide services, such as teaching one’s language.

Wherever we go, we take ourselves with us – this statement, although obvious, often translates into reality. Sometimes moving abroad is an opportunity to start a new life or escape from accumulated problems. Although some obstacles can be resolved this way, and it turns out that the change of environment brings relief, in the case of internal difficulties – such as lowered mood, anxiety, or low self esteem – we take them with us. Moreover, the stresses associated with adapting to a new environment can exacerbate negative states. The path to solving this problem is to face internal difficulties and unprocessed traumas through psychotherapy and the help of mental health specialists. In the supportive environment of a therapy office, patients have the opportunity to confront their difficulties and leave them behind. Many of our patients have had experiences with psychological help in their home countries, but these were often single consultations rather than a comprehensive therapeutic process. Living abroad can create many challenges, but just like navigating turbulent waters, we can develop skills to cope with these conditions.