The Journey No One Posts About

The Promise and Reality of Life Abroad

When people think about immigrants, they imagine opportunity, wealth, and a better life. But the real story often lives behind closed doors. For many who leave Africa, Asia, and other developing regions, the journey begins with hope but meets challenges they never expected.

Kwame’s First Winter and the Cultural Shock

Kwame arrived in the United States from Ghana with two suitcases and a borrowed winter jacket. The cold struck him hard, sharp and unfriendly. Then came the cultural shock. Neighbors stayed distant, strangers avoided eye contact, and everyone seemed buried in their own world.
Despite his university degree, he worked as a dishwasher, then a night security guard. Each shift reminded him that survival came before pride. He told himself, “I did not come this far to give up.”

The Silent Fears of the Undocumented Immigrant

Fatima spent four years trying to legalize her papers. During that time, she lived in fear. She avoided hospitals when sick. She stayed away from law enforcement even when she witnessed wrongdoing. Simple mistakes threatened her future. Her life moved quietly, shaped by caution instead of freedom.

Surviving Through Exhaustion and Unstable Work

Joseph worked three jobs. He cleaned offices at dawn, packed boxes in a warehouse during the day, and delivered food in the evening. He slept four hours each night. When asked how he endured, he said he learned to function through exhaustion because his dream felt bigger than his pain.

The Emotional Cost Many Immigrants Hide

Counseling sessions reveal a common truth. The mental load is heavy. Loneliness grows. Homesickness settles. Pressure to support family back home competes with personal needs. Many immigrants smile on the outside while carrying wounds no one sees.

Maya Angelou wrote, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Many immigrants live in that silence every day.

Voices of Strength and Hope

Despite the struggle, many find their footing. They earn degrees, build careers, start businesses, buy homes, and support entire families. Their journey becomes a story of resilience. Nelson Mandela’s words echo here: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

A Message to Immigrants Everywhere

If you feel unseen or overwhelmed, your struggle shows your strength. Honor your journey. Take each step at your own pace. You do not need to walk alone.

For counseling or support, contact
Dr. David Rex Orgen at 614-753-3925.

Written by Dr. David Rex Orgen, Best-Selling Author & International Mental Health Expert