In the journey of life, the terrain constantly shifts under our feet. Some of us take the bold step to leave the familiar behind, venturing abroad in search of new experiences, growth, and opportunities. This leap into the unknown tests our resilience, our adaptability, and above all, our self-confidence.
“No matter where we go, we carry our heart and mind with us.” This profound truth reminds us that our innermost selves—our values, beliefs, and the essence of who we are—remain constant, guiding us through the changes around us.
The act of living abroad exposes you to diverse ways of life, challenges your preconceptions, and, surprisingly, leads to a significant boost in self-confidence and creativity.
The Role of Self-Confidence When Living Abroad
Self-confidence is not just a feeling; it’s the foundation upon which we build the courage to face unfamiliar situations. It empowers us to navigate new cultures, languages, and environments with grace and strength. When we step out of our comfort zones and into the vast world, our self-confidence becomes the compass that helps us find our way, ensuring we remain true to ourselves in a sea of change.
The challenges of navigating a new language, understanding local customs, and adapting to different societal norms can seem overwhelming. Yet, it is precisely these challenges that catalyze personal growth. By facing and overcoming these hurdles, you begin to see the world—and yourself—in a new light.
Why It’s Hard and What Makes Us Feel This Way?
It doesn’t matter why we moved. It could be for a job, love, or adventure. The hard part is leaving what we know. This can make us feel like we’ve lost a part of ourselves. When everything around us is new, we might feel lost. This can shake our confidence.
Feeling Alone and Unsure: Even if we like to travel or speak the new country’s language, being from somewhere else can make us feel unsure about ourselves. We might feel different from the people around us. This can make us want to hide instead of showing who we are.
Feeling Out of Place: Sometimes, we don’t feel like we fit in because of how we look or act. This can make us scared to meet new people. It’s hard to feel good about ourselves if we’re scared to be ourselves.
Charlie Houpert, author of “Charisma on Command,” emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, self-efficacy, and self-esteem for a fulfilling life.
Self-Efficacy: This idea comes from Albert Bandura, a psychologist with Canadian-American roots and it’s about believing you can do specific things. For example, if you think you can cook dinner or finish a project, you have strong self-efficacy. People who don’t believe they can do something often don’t try as hard, which makes it more likely they won’t succeed. This plays a crucial role in how we address cognitive dissonance. As discussed in my previous article, cognitive dissonance—the internal conflict that arises from holding contradictory beliefs or feelings—can be a significant challenge when adjusting to life in a new country . When faced with conflicting thoughts or beliefs about our new environment, our level of self-efficacy determines our willingness to engage with and overcome these challenges. High self-efficacy encourages us to confront dissonance head-on, thereby enhancing our adaptability and resilience.
Self-Confidence: Differing from self-efficacy, Dr. Bandura explains that it’s about how sure you are that you can reach a goal, based on what you’ve done before. If you practice the piano a lot, you’ll feel more sure about your ability to play. This idea also covers how much you think you’ll fit in with a group of people. If people have laughed at you for a hobby you have, you might feel nervous about talking about it again. Both self-confidence and self-efficacy are based on your experiences, but self-confidence is about how you see yourself in a bigger way, not just with single tasks.
Self-Esteem: People often mix up self-confidence and self-esteem, but they’re quite different. Self-esteem is about how much you value yourself. Saying “I’m a good person” shows self-esteem. It’s considered the crucial final stage in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, essential for achieving self-actualization, the peak of this needs pyramid. In simpler terms, to truly become the best you can be and succeed in this pursuit, it’s necessary to have complete self-respect, self-love, and confidence in your own abilities.
These are not just buzzwords; they represent the core attributes that living abroad can enhance. When you navigate a foreign country successfully, solve problems on the fly, and build a new life from scratch, you’re not just surviving; you’re thriving. This resilience builds a deep-seated confidence in your abilities and decisions, making you more adaptable and fearless in the face of new challenges.
How to Feel Better
Living in a new country is tough, but it’s also a chance to learn and grow. We all feel unsure sometimes, but there are ways to feel better. Try these tips and remember, you’re not alone. Keep exploring and you’ll find your confidence in this new part of your life.
Join a group or club. Finding a community of expats or locals with similar interests can provide emotional support and valuable insights. Sharing experiences and challenges with others who understand can significantly boost your confidence.
Try new things. This can help you find out what you like and make you feel good about yourself.
Discover similarities and differences. One of the most enlightening aspects of living abroad is the realization of how similar and yet how different people can be. This discovery is not just academic; it’s deeply personal and enriching. It opens up new avenues of thought, encouraging you to question your assumptions and explore new ideas. This broadened perspective is a wellspring of creativity, fueling innovation and artistic expression in ways you might not have imagined possible.
Know who you are. Moving away can make you question yourself. You might feel strong at home, but unsure in a new place. This can happen because you miss the familiar things that remind you of who we are. Remember this is your life. Enjoy what you love about the new place. Don’t feel bad about it. Do things you never had time for. This helps you feel sure about who you are.
Remind yourself that it will take time. Learning everything new in a different country is hard. Simple things like going to the doctor or taking a bus can feel overwhelming. This can make you feel anxious and doubt yourself. Be kind to yourself. Learning takes time. Take one step at a time. Trust that you’ll get better at dealing with new things.
Don’t compare yourself. Everyone shows their best side online but even in pubic. Don’t think you’re less because of what you see on social media or during a social gathering.
Stay positive. Your thoughts have the power to shape your reality. Practice mindfulness and positive thinking to combat self-doubt. Celebrate your strengths and achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Spend time with friends who make you feel good about yourself. Avoid people who make you feel bad.
Embrace the challenge. View each challenge as an opportunity for growth. Remember, it’s through overcoming difficulties that we build resilience. Each small victory, be it learning a few phrases in a new language or navigating the local public transport, boosts your self-confidence.
Maintain connections. While it’s essential to immerse yourself in the new culture, maintaining connections with your roots can provide stability and a sense of belonging. Regular calls with family and friends, celebrating traditional holidays, or even cooking a meal from your home country can remind you of your identity and values. This duality of connection—to both the new and the familiar—enriches your understanding of what it means to truly belong. By grounding yourself in your inherent values and traditions while open-mindedly engaging with a new culture, you cultivate a sense of belonging that is deeply authentic. This process not only mitigates the feelings of isolation and misunderstanding but also transforms the way you interact with both your new and original communities.
Set goals. Set yourself small, achievable goals that lead to larger objectives. Whether it’s mastering a language or building a local network, achieving these goals will give you a sense of accomplishment and a confidence boost.
Be kind. Lastly, remember to be kind to yourself. Moving and adapting to a new country is a monumental task. Recognize your bravery in taking this step and allow yourself time to adjust.
Making It Work for You
In conclusion, living abroad offers unparalleled opportunities for growth. It challenges you, changes you, and ultimately, enriches your life in ways you could never anticipate.
Self-confidence allows us to face challenges with optimism and resilience. It reminds us that although our surroundings may change, our core—the heart and mind we carry with us—remains unwavering. This inner strength is what enables us to thrive, no matter where we find ourselves in the world. Embrace your journey with confidence, knowing that you have everything within you to make this experience enriching and transformative. Each step, no matter how small, is a step towards becoming a more creative, confident, and empathetic person. After all, the world is waiting for you.
