BRAIN DRAIN

Is it easy to rebuild a life?


Starting a new life abroad involves numerous changes necessary to achieve a new sense of stability. Adaptation is not an instant process but a journey you would have to go through.

I moved abroad by choice, intending to live in a new country, but now I feel an overwhelming sense of regret about my decision to move.
I’ve become so depressed that I don’t want to leave the house because seeing daily life in this new country triggers me and reminds me of the decision I made to live here. I feel stupid for moving and I feel a huge sense of guilt for myself and my partner for being here.
I’ve been here for 6 months. My question is: at what point do you go home?

Adapting to a new place

Euphoria (Honeymoon Phase)

The first few weeks or months feel incredibly exciting: a new culture, new opportunities, everything seems interesting and inspiring.

Crisis (Culture Shock)

This stage sets in when the initial excitement fades, replaced by reality: bureaucracy, language barriers, job search difficulties. 60–70% of migrants experience stress, homesickness, and irritability.

Adaptation

You start understanding local customs, making acquaintances, and finding your favorite shops and cafés. Life becomes more predictable.

Integration

At this stage, you feel confident, make long-term plans, and no longer see the country as a temporary stop but as a new home.

Why does adaptation take so long?

The speed of adaptation depends on many factors: age, personality, language proficiency, and the presence of a support system.

Psychological Adjustment
The human brain dislikes change. We are wired to prefer the familiar and predictable.

Language Barrier
Even if you studied the language beforehand, real-life adaptation is not just about grammar but also about slang, accents, humor, dialects, and local expressions.

Financial Stress
You might face temporary financial difficulties, including job hunting, paperwork, and high rental costs.

Cultural and Mentality Differences
What seems normal in your home country might be confusing abroad.

Social Connections
Many people feel lonely in the first months, as their usual social circle remains in their home country.



You can expect to miss your family, but what really catches you off guard is missing the ease of lifelong friendships. Building a true, deep connection from scratch in a new country as an adult is exhausting.You meet plenty of people, but getting past the surface-level small talk to find a friend you can actually call when you are having a bad day takes a lot of time and emotional effort.

Italians abroad in 2024
Italians moving abroad in 2024.

    Ease of settling in
    How comfortable do expats feel living here overall?

      Culture and welcome
      Do expats feel welcomed and culturally accepted here?

        Local friendliness
        Are locals friendly and approachable toward foreigners?

          Making friends
          Do expats actually manage to build a social life?

            It was decided to compare the categories analyzed by "The Ease of Settling In index" with data on Italians who moved abroad in 2024 to highlight how certain countries are underestimated or overestimated based on the general perception of them. For this reason, only 47 countries appear on the lists—those to which Italians chose to emigrate in 2024 and which also appeared in the index.

            For detailed data on Italians living abroad, see the “Where is everyone going?” page.

            door image Homepage door image Where is everyone
            going?                         door image What are your chances
            of finding a job?                         door image What goals do you
            have in life?                         door image Is it easy to
            rebuild a life?                         door image What's in your cart?

            Go to the next chapter:
            What's in your cart?

            door image