Moving Abroad: The Emotional and Psychological Journey No One Talks About
Summer Sahyouni
Licensed Clinical Psychologist · September 2026
So basically (and obviously), I’m very passionate about what I do: psychology. This is officially my first article for the Unfold Journal, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally start sharing what I’ve always wanted to talk about. I have so much to say about mental health, personal growth, and real human experiences; I might even start a podcast soon! But enough about that.
For my first article, I wanted to write something real, something we can all relate to, not overly scientific, but deeply human. It’s about something so many of us experience in one way or another: moving abroad for a better future. Whether it’s for work, study, or marriage, or due to displacement, migration, asylum, or conflict, each journey carries its own emotional weight and transformation. I will write another article with more detail on displacement, migration, and asylum, as these experiences carry a different kind of weight, one that often involves trauma, loss, and survival, and deserves its own thoughtful discussion.
If you’re reading this and you’ve ever moved alone to a new country, chasing growth, opportunity, or safety, I just want to say: you are incredibly strong. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s one of the most psychologically demanding experiences a person can go through, even if it’s by choice.
My Story
Full personal disclosure, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a better future for myself and complete my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. I still remember telling everyone, “If I don’t get into this specific program, I’m not doing my master’s at all.” Thankfully, I did, and I’ll forever be grateful.
But what no one really talks about are the mental and emotional challenges that come before, during, and after the move.
Before leaving, your mind races with thoughts like:
“I’m leaving my parents, my family, my friends behind.”
“Am I selfish for wanting more?”
“How am I going to make friends?”
“What if I can’t handle it financially or emotionally?”
Those thoughts alone can spark anxiety, sadness, and self-doubt. Sometimes, they can even lead to depressive episodes, not because you’re weak, but because you’re human.