Cultural adjustment in Belgium can be difficult, particularly for expats and international professionals who are adapting to a new country, unfamiliar customs and changes in their personal relationships. What initially seems like a practical challenge can also affect your sense of belonging, identity and emotional wellbeing.
For some people, the hardest part is not the country itself, but what the move has changed. You may have lost some of your independance, given up a career, become more dependant on your partner, or found the life you imagined to be very different from the life you are actually living.
This can be particularly difficult for a trailing or accompanying partner. When one person has moved because of their partners career.It can be hard to find a new sense of purpose, identity and independance. Relationships can also come under pressure when the couple are experiencing the move very differently.
Understanding Cultural Adjustment in Belgium
There can also be a kind of loneliness that is difficult to explain. You may be surrounded by people and still feel you don’t really belong. You may miss the people who knew you well, or homesick, or find yourself questioning who you are and where you fit into your new life.
Sometimes these experiences can lead to anxiety, low mood or depression. Sometimes you may feel you have lost your direction and self worth. Talking about what is happening can help you understand what you are struggling with, the adjustment itself,or whether something deeper is going on.
I have lived and worked in several countries myself, so I understand what it means to build a life somewhere that is not your own country. We can look at what has changed, what you are finding difficult, and what might help you feel more settled and more like yourself again.
For practical advice on adapting to a new country, EURES offers guidance on culture shock and homesickness.
You don’t have to know exactly what is wrong before you come to therapy. Sometimes it helps simply to have someone outside the situation who understands what you are going through and can help you make sense of it.
