What It Really Costs to Build a Life Somewhere Else

Being an immigrant is not easy. Choosing to build a new life with whatever you can achieve is not easy. Probably, people have different circumstances and reasons for moving to other countries, but that doesn't mean you have done less in life or that you are running away from your country.

Yes, I agree and understand the issues illegal migration has caused. But coming from a background where you start your journey by studying the language, then getting admitted to a college and paying a huge lump sum in order to trade your life for what you can only imagine achieving — that is its own kind of struggle. However, I don't want to diminish the struggle that students already in the country go through either; they probably have their own circumstances. I am here representing my real-life experience.

Once you complete your course, you need to build a life through work. The real challenge comes when you are in the job hunt. You know your own capacity, but because you don't have experience from that country, you have limited time to prove yourself. Coming from another country, struggling to find a job due to work restrictions, you put your blood, sweat, and tears into landing a job that can finally reflect your capability.

It's not just that you have to consciously prove your existence at the company to secure your work settlement and stay in that particular country. While the race is on, you've already forgotten your private life. Then you start to think about having a family, which is another struggle. While you're still adapting to the professional culture, you now need to adjust to a new life with your family. This is not easy, especially while you're working, when your job is tied to your ability to stay in the country. Having a family becomes another burden you carry you don't know whether to continue your private life or slow down your professional life, because you can't have both fully.

I know this isn't only the struggle of immigrants; any parent can relate. You have to perform at your best while your child is sick, while you haven't slept, because you need to be outstanding otherwise there's no place for you. Such pressure, trying to build a career while raising a family, living in a country where you can only stay if your company sponsors you, and you need to be an outstanding candidate for them.

This vicious cycle has led so many people through this every single day, especially immigrants.