When Immigration Changes the People You Thought You Knew

More Than Just a Change of Address

When people think about immigration, they often imagine learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and navigating a different climate. But what many don’t realize is that immigration doesn’t just change your surroundings—it changes people themselves. It changes you, and it changes those around you.

Man and His Circumstances

The Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset once said, “Man is himself and his circumstances.” This means we are not just who we are inside; we are also shaped by our environment, our experiences, and the situations we face. When you uproot someone from their familiar world and place them in a completely different environment, you are not just moving a person—you are altering the very circumstances that have shaped their identity.

Why Relationships Break or Transform

This is why so many relationships—between friends, siblings, parents and children, and even spouses—change drastically after immigration. Some break entirely. Others distort into something unrecognizable. Why? In Canada, people are often exposed to unprecedented levels of stress, financial pressure, and emotional strain. And when you put a human being under pressure, hidden aspects of their character emerge—traits that may have always been there, but were never visible in the comfort of their old life.

The Shock of Living in Close Quarters

Imagine two people who, in their home country, lived surrounded by family, friends, and familiar routines. Now, in Canada, they are alone together in a small apartment, with no extended support system, no nearby friends, and months of harsh winter keeping them indoors for long stretches—sometimes 10 hours a day together in the same space. This dynamic can be rewarding for some, but for others, it can quickly create tension. We saw the same thing during the COVID lockdowns: the environment forces a type of closeness that not every relationship is built for.

Preparing for the Emotional Reality

If you’ve never immigrated but plan to, understand this: the changes you face are not only about place, culture, and language. They are about emotions, identity, and relationships. The person you’ve known for years—your spouse, your friend, your sibling—may reveal sides of themselves you’ve never seen. And you may discover new parts of yourself, too.

Final Thought

Immigration is not only a geographical shift—it’s a psychological transformation. If you prepare emotionally for that, you’ll be better equipped to adapt, to understand, and to grow—both alone and together. This emotional preparation is not a luxury; it's a necessity for a smoother transition.

At K-IZEN, we don’t just talk about the logistics of immigration—we talk about the human side, because understanding the human experience is key to a successful transition.

Because information is power, and the more prepared you are, the smoother your transition will be.