Does International Moving Change You?

‘You can remove a man from his village, but can you take the village out of the man?’ is a thought to ponder upon…

When people relocate abroad, they usually think about how the new city will be — the lifestyle, customs, neighbours, food and so much more — but what they don’t think about is how the move can impact their lives and change them too…

When people leave their place of origin, the influence and values of their upbringing also move along inside them. After all, it’s the way they have lived for so long and binds them to their roots. As they’re totally unaware of life’s practices elsewhere, sudden cultural differences seem bizarre and are deemed taboo. Undoubtedly International moves are life-changing events that we’ve witnessed when relocating people for years at E-Movers. In this piece, I take the liberty to discuss the effect of relocations on our way of living.

Moving changes you

Living abroad for an extended number of years does influence a person’s personality. Friends with the natives, their constant cultural exposure, new experiences and knowledge compel you to adapt. Prolonged exposure to diverse perspectives and lifestyles broadens your worldview, fostering an appreciation for cultural differences and a greater understanding of international issues.

Breaking the shell

Relocations bring in a metamorphosis of your personality. More open-minded, flexible and willing to embrace change, you gradually break free from the shell you grew up in and spread your wings to new adventures and experiences. Though some of your core cultural values remain ingrained for a lifetime, you become more attuned to and respectful of cultures and practices around you.

Factors influencing personality changes

Another powerful influence on people living abroad is peer pressure. People tend to absorb the behaviour and values of those around them, in their neighbourhood and the workplace. This social contagion is the strongest force toning personality traits and transforming people.

Additionally, the duration of stay abroad, the level of immersion in local culture, and individual predispositions and attitudes all play their unique role in shaping one’s personality. It’s important to note that the extent of personality change can vary widely among individuals. While some undergo significant transformations, others experience gradual transitioning.

So, removing the village from the man varies from one individual to another. No thumb rule ascertains the extent of change, but there’s no denying that living abroad for several years alters your outlook towards life and brings subtle shifts in the way you live.