Today I’d like to talk about what helps people successfully integrate into a

Today, I’d like to talk about what helps people successfully integrate into a new culture. Whereas the reasons for migration are nowadays fairly easy to identify and largely related to employment opportunities or political instability, the factors behind being able to adapt to the new culture and create a new life are considerably more complex.
    Let’s start with an overview of the issues as shown on this diagram. Starting on the left, there are two lists of factors: internal and external. It’s important to notice that the internal factors, in other words those based on an individual’s personality, are divided into positive factors—trusting others and acknowledging people are different, and negative factors—being afraid and being suspicious of people. Now, you should also notice that external factors are not labeled in this way. It’s much more difficult to know how to measure the effects of external factors and whether they actually are external or not. The influence of family relationships, climate, beliefs and values, and the ability to communicate in the language of the new culture have wide-ranging effects which are difficult to measure and can distort any research.
    Now focus on the center of the diagram, and you’ll see this phrase: "Coping strategies. " This is important because studies have shown that people, who integrate well into a new culture, are those who have eradicated any negativity, and made positive choices, and adopted coping strategies such as observing people, and taking time to listen and ask questions in order to diminish the effects of culture shock. . .