- Arrivals signify more than physical movement; they represent transformation, self-discovery, and entering new life phases.
- Growing up in China, I felt deeply rooted despite frequent moves, shaping my adaptability and sense of belonging.
- Moving to Germany at 10 caused cultural dissonance, highlighting how departures can redefine one’s identity and home.
- Returning to Nanjing years later, I embraced a hybrid identity, blending Chinese and European influences as a global citizen.
The notion of “arrivals” likely brings to mind a physical moment. Yet, the concept goes far beyond just travel or movement. An arrival isn’t always about reaching a physical destination; moreover the process of change, transformation and possibly, even self discovery.
Whether geographical, social, or emotional, an arrival marks the moments when we shift into a new phase of our lives.
With this in mind, arrivals are universally experienced, but their meaning and impact vary from one person to another. Neither can we talk about arrivals without acknowledging their counterpart; departures. After all, you cannot truly arrive somewhere without first leaving someplace else.
In my life, the concept of “arrivals” has been a recurring theme, shaping my experiences in different countries and cities, navigating cultural differences and discovering where I truly belong.
I first moved to China when I was about 6 months old. From the very start, I was immersed in Chinese culture and social customs. As a result, I never felt the need to change my perspective, attitudes or mannerisms to fit in.
In many ways, China became my first home, where I felt a deep sense of comfort and security despite living in a culture vastly different from my European roots. This experience helped me realise that home is not just a physical place, but where we feel rooted and understood.
That said, I didn’t stay in one place while I was in China. In fact, I moved more often than most people might expect.
I spent my first 4 years in Changchun, then lived in Nanjing, Shanghai and Chengdu. While each city had its own unique set of subcultures, from cuisines and dialects to living habits, each move brought new experiences. Although I felt sadness when letting go of a lifestyle to which I had grown accustomed, I never felt displaced. Instead, I remained grounded in each new location. Of course, I don’t remember every detail of those years, but the feeling of arriving and settling in left a lasting impression.
Those early transitions have deeply influenced my ability to adapt to new environments.
When I was 10, my family moved to Germany, one of my home countries, because of my father’s work. This arrival stands out in my memory as it marked a significant shift in my sense of identity. Despite being in a home country, everything about Germany felt unfamiliar. The language, customs and social practices all seemed alien to me. This experience highlighted the confusion and disconnection that can arise when you encounter a culture that should feel familiar, but no longer does, on account of the way you were shaped by your previous environment; in my case, China.
In retrospect, I now realise that I experienced significant cultural dissonance while living in Germany. Whether it was the food choices, topics of conversation or even the jokes, the differences were simply too stark. I struggled to form friendships and connect with people my age.
That’s when I truly understood that it wasn’t until I left China that I fully appreciated the sense of belonging I had there.
Leaving China didn’t just mean departing a physical place; it also meant leaving behind an emotional space that had shaped my identity. This emotional attachment became even clearer once I was in Germany.
However, my sense of belonging gradually evolved after this period of adjustment. Although I didn’t feel immediate comfort in Germany, that time marked the beginning of understanding where and how I fit in. Over time, I have learned that arrivals, whether to a new country or a new phase in life, require constant adaptation. Each arrival and departure forces us to grow as we adjust to new languages, customs and expectations.
Some 4 years ago, I moved back to Nanjing and once again, I found a deep sense of comfort here.
However, now I have learned to blend the Chinese cultural influences with which I grew up while continuing to draw from the European cultural weight I had accumulated over time. This combination has allowed me to communicate and connect with a wider range of people, as my identity has evolved in to a hybrid. I can say that I now fully embrace the idea of being a global citizen.
Ultimately, arrivals often serve as gateways to deeper cultural understanding. Every arrival invites us to engage in exchanges that teach us new ways of thinking, behaving and interacting, enriching our sense of self.
Consequently, arrivals are not simply about changing places, but rather changing who we are as people.
Every arrival represents a new chapter in our ongoing stories of personal growth and understanding, leading us to question the nature of home. Is it a place, a feeling, or something different?