Excitement fills the air when people talk about moving to another country, but underneath it can also feel stressful and lonely. When I moved from Russia to the U.S., I carried more than just luggage with me. I expected the hardest part to be the language or learning how to navigate a new city, but honestly, the hardest part was adjusting to a completely unfamiliar environment while also trying to figure out who I was becoming. That question stayed in my mind constantly.
At first, nothing felt completely comfortable. Grocery stores, classes, conversations, public transportation – even small everyday things felt overwhelming because I was always trying to adjust to a different rhythm. Some days I felt excited and confident, and other days I felt completely out of place. I think a lot of people who move to a new country experience this feeling, even if they do not always talk about it openly.
College life already comes with pressure, and adapting to a different culture at the same time can make it even harder mentally and emotionally. There is pressure to succeed academically, make friends, look confident, and act like everything is fine even when it is not. Social media also makes it easy to compare yourself to other students who seem completely settled and happy. Meanwhile, homesickness, anxiety, loneliness, and emotional stress quietly build up in the background. Even when surrounded by people, it is possible to still feel disconnected and far away from home.
Over time, I realized that small things could actually make a big difference emotionally. Fashion became one of those things for me. When everything around me felt unfamiliar, putting together an outfit that made me feel comfortable and confident could genuinely improve my mood. It may sound simple, but self-expression can really affect the way you feel mentally and emotionally.
For me, fashion was never really about impressing other people. It became a way to reconnect with
myself during a period where everything felt uncertain. Moving to a new place can make you feel like you are rebuilding your identity from the beginning. College already feels like a major life transition, but moving countries at the same time makes that feeling even stronger. You begin thinking more deeply about where you belong, how you want people to see you, and who you want to become.
I also learned that wellness is not always about perfect routines or always feeling motivated. Sometimes wellness simply means giving yourself time to adjust. Starting over can feel emotionally exhausting, and I think many students put pressure on themselves to adapt too quickly. Real growth takes time.
Little by little, I started creating routines that made me feel more grounded. Walking through New York City, focusing on school, building small self-care habits, spending time with supportive people, and expressing myself more confidently all helped me emotionally. I still experience stressful moments, but I’ve realized that moving to a new country does not mean losing who you are. It means learning how to grow while still staying connected to yourself.
Looking back now, moving to another country changed me in both difficult and positive ways. It made me more independent, emotionally aware, and understanding of myself. Even though the adjustment process was difficult, it taught me that confidence does not come from being perfect or fitting in immediately. Sometimes confidence simply comes from continuing to move forward even when everything around you feels unfamiliar.
Takeaway
Moving to a new country during college can feel emotionally overwhelming and isolating at times. Adjusting takes time, and it is important not to compare your journey to other people’s experiences. Small routines, supportive people, self-expression, and self-care can make a huge difference when it comes to mental health and confidence during major life changes.
Taking care of yourself is important, especially during stressful times. Use this student discount at Baya Bar and enjoy a healthy break while exploring New York City.
By Polina Makarova
Polina Makarova is an English and Literature major at Pace University with a minor in Journalism and Digital Storytelling. Originally from Russia, she writes about student life, identity, fashion, wellness, and adapting to life in a new country.
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Tags: college life, international students, mental health, New York City, Student Life