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How to adapt to your new life as a migrant in the U.S.

Presented By Christian Massillon, psychologist and lawyer.

He spent three months at the Cambridge Health Alliance hospital doing an observership, where he learned a lot. Now, in Haiti, he’ll share his perspectives on adapting as a migrant.

“Adapting to a new culture can be a challenge for anyone, especially for migrants to the United States. New customs, a new language, and a new way of life can be bewildering and stressful. It can take time to adjust to the culture shock we face when we find ourselves on the doorstep of a new country,” He explains. 

In this article, the psychologist, accompanied by Dr. Jean-Baptiste, will discuss adaptation and what’s at stake and share some tips on adapting to your new life as a migrant in the USA.

Understanding culture shock and the obstacles that can affect the character of migrants

Culture shock is a psychological reaction when you are confronted with a new way of life upon relocation. It can manifest itself into feelings of confusion, distress, loneliness, and anxiety, and it happens when you’re being faced with adjusting to things being done differently from what you’re used to. These feelings can make a person more prone to violence. It’s important to understand that culture shock is a normal reaction. It takes time to adapt to a new culture, and it’s normal to feel complex emotions during this period.

Let’s take the case of a person from South America emigrating to North America, more specifically, the United States. This person is likely to encounter many obstacles along the way, which may affect their actions, thinking, and character. This can lead to frustration as things turn out differently than expected. There may be reactions such as avoidance, and this person may sometimes become violent, not knowing how to channel their emotions. A whole range of emotions can take place when faced with living in a brand-new environment. But with time and effort, you can overcome culture shock and create a new life.

Violence

This is an important subject to focus on. Violence is a serious problem in many communities. It can take many forms, including domestic violence, verbal abuse, sexual violence, and child abuse.

Dr. Jean-Baptiste mentions violence by men against women and also argues that violence is not acceptable in any form but that in some cultures, violence is accepted or even encouraged on some level. This is the case in some areas of Haiti, where it is considered normal for men to beat their wives or for adults to abuse children.

Causes of violence in the Haitian community

Dr Massillon shares his opinion on this subject.

Haitians are particularly vulnerable to this type of violence, because of their history of trauma and the culture of violence that exists in this country from colonial times to recent conflicts. Violence is somehow imprinted on us. Whenever we are unable to control our emotions, we become violent as parents who beat their children, or husbands who beat their wives. This history of trauma has left its mark on Haitian culture, and violence is often seen as a normal way of resolving conflicts. When we talk about violence, we’re not just talking about physical violence, but also verbal violence.

So we need to heal from all these forms of trauma and violence. Because it’s a form of trauma that we learn and that doesn’t do us any good, because violence only harms other people as well as ourselves. So it’s very important to recognize that we carry this kind of trauma with us and that we need to heal from it in order to progress. In order to grow, we need to unlearn this form of reaction.

Dr Jean Baptiste said it was good that Dr Massillon underlined the fact that we transmit this kind of trauma, the reaction to violence, from generation to generation. When a child misbehaves, often the parent’s reaction to this is in the form of physical punishment, like getting beaten with a  belt. Then, when this child goes to school and fights, the teachers will question him regarding his behavior, and the child may report what is happening in his family environment. In such situations, parents may lose custody of their children.

Sometimes, we are not in conflict with someone, but the way we react to someone may be perceived as a threat in some cultures, like in the U.S. Therefore, we must learn to recognize and deal with this type of reaction, which has become like a normal reaction for us, it’s like permissive violence.

Then there’s sexual violence or sexual abuse. The consequences for victims can be devastating in these cases. It is, therefore, necessary for parents and elders in the community to keep an eye on their children because there are a lot of predators out there. It’s something prevalent in our culture that we perhaps don’t talk about enough. We must watch our children, even when they go to the bathroom. It’s up to us to protect them. When children are victimized, it can lead to physical injury, psychological trauma, and mental health problems. Predators are severely punished when convicted. The abuser may spend years in prison, may never be granted residency, or may even be deported to their country of origin.

It’s also good for men and women to learn what’s appropriate when touching their children. It’s important to make people aware of potential problems and encourage them to report any suspicion of child sexual abuse.

If a child has marks on their body, it’s essential to ask what happened. It’s also important to believe the child and take their allegations seriously. If you suspect that a child is sexually abused, report it to the authorities.

It is also essential for clinicians to be alert to signs of child abuse. This may include physical injuries, changes in behavior, or statements made by the child. Children who are abused at home indeed tend to stay away from other children. This may be due to many factors, including shame, isolation, or fear. Abused children may also have difficulty concentrating or learning, which can affect their performance at school. That’s why teachers and other educational professionals need to be alert to the signs of child abuse.

In conclusion, Haitian migrants arriving in the U.S. need to be aware of the challenges they are likely to face, including culture shock, violence, and legal differences that can make the transition difficult. It’s important to prepare for these challenges and understand that culture shock is a normal reaction to moving to a new place. It can lead to feelings of confusion, distress, and isolation. It’s also important to remember that culture shock is temporary and usually fades with time.

Adapting to a new culture takes time. Refrain from understanding everything or feeling comfortable immediately. Learn the laws of the United States, especially those concerning domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse. Be open to the new culture. Be patient. Try to understand the cultural differences between Haiti and the United States. Be careful when interacting with others.

By following these tips and taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from trouble and increase your chances of successfully adapting to life in the United States.