Short answer
A helpful way to think about it
Migration is more than physical relocation; relationships, roles, language, belonging and ideas about the future may also change. Longing, hope, uncertainty and feeling between cultures can coexist; migration itself is not an illness or necessarily a trauma.
What is the migration and adjustment process?
Adjustment is not about leaving the old life behind and immediately adopting a new one. People carry earlier relationships, language and identity while learning a new environment; the process changes over time and with circumstances.
How might it feel and what may accompany it?
Longing, loneliness, uncertainty, unfamiliarity, language fatigue or feeling between cultures may occur. Curiosity, relief, new connections and a sense of strength may also be present.
How can daily life be affected?
Housing, legal status, work or study, social networks and access to services can increase everyday demands. Language barriers and discrimination may affect belonging and willingness to seek help.
What may help?
Secure basic needs, familiar rituals, community connections, language support and culturally responsive services may help. There is no single correct pace for adjustment.
A sign to consider support
When might support be worth considering?
If loneliness, sleep difficulties, intense anxiety or hopelessness persist and significantly affect daily life, culturally and linguistically responsive professional support may be considered.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Is migration always traumatic?
No. Migration experiences vary widely and can involve choice, hope and strength as well as difficulties.
How long does adjustment take?
There is no fixed timeline. Living conditions, safety, language, social support and personal history all influence the process.
Does homesickness mean I am not adjusting?
No. Missing earlier connections and putting down roots in a new life can happen at the same time.
Sources and further reading
This content is provided for general information. Sources accessed: 8 August 2026.
- WHO — Refugee and migrant mental healthOfficial or academic information and an assessment framework relevant to the topic.
- WHO — Global evidence review on migration and mental healthOfficial or academic information and an assessment framework relevant to the topic.
- Türkiye 112 Emergency Call CentreThe official emergency call service for immediate risk or threats to safety.