This is how you live, you live in a new country for 17 years, and you don’t think at all that – my God, I had a choice, but how exactly to immigrate? (Who's here? What's the choice? See my previous post, Hilarious Examples of the 4 Types of Immigration). Having once thought about a given topic, I came to the conclusion that at first I plunged my whole being (with my whole being, so to speak, Olga) into assimilation. I studied the language 8 hours a day and learned it quickly. I went straight to work in a Dutch bank instead of language experience. I was somewhat taken aback by the difference in our cultures, especially at work (how calm and undramatic the locals are, how easily they sometimes allow themselves to make mistakes, and joyfully jump up from their workplace at exactly 5 o’clock). But I was terribly curious about everything local. Assimilation in its purest form. A few years later, I realized that I missed Russia and began to visit it often. The circle of Russian friends expanded, and it seemed that I was going through the stage of separation. Well, now I count myself among the cohort of those who have integrated, like Petya from the previous story.*****And the theory of 4 immigration strategies was created by the Canadian psychologist John Berry (alas, not me ). And he suggests asking yourself 2 main questions. “Is the old culture valuable for me to preserve?” and “Is it important for me to maintain relationships with a new culture?” Depending on the answer, the desired strategy is selected. If both answers are “Yes,” then the person chooses an integration strategy; if “No,” then marginalization. If the answer to the first question is “Yes”, and to the second “No”, then the person chooses separation, and if the answers are given the other way around, then assimilation. (everything seems as simple as 2x2).*******Having applied my own brains to the question of what is good and what is bad in immigration strategies, I have the following wisdom to say. It depends! Everything will depend on your goals and individual characteristics.* The Klavs, separated from the new society, seem somewhat comical to us, but. Separation makes sense if you are in a new country for a short time, in transit. Then there is no point in investing effort in adapting to this country. Logical? Logical! Another important nuance. Those whose immigration is forced, for whom it is psychologically difficult, may adhere to the separation strategy longer than others for the simple reason that they already have a dominance of novelty in their lives, and they want to retain at least something familiar to themselves. This is neither good nor bad, it is a choice and, if you allow it, self-preservation. As life settles down, this category may well move to another category, the integrated, for example.* As for assimilation, that’s interesting! – Previously, experts believed that this was the only correct path of immigration. For my taste, the path is a bit harsh and not entirely environmentally friendly - to whom and why will I sacrifice a huge part of my identity? But someone is so fascinated by a new country or hates the old one that they rush headlong into the depths of the new one and are completely open to the new. The main thing is that this speed of comprehension of the new should be consistent with nature for the one who moved.* For marginalized people, perhaps, it’s hardest of all, because we are social beings. But I don’t forcibly drag anyone from this category by the pigtail, only upon request.* Well, over time, you automatically enter the stage of integration, loving and accepting both your homeland and the new country, and being sincerely interested in them. The stages can alternate and even combine ( an immigrant can assimilate at work and separate at home).!!! By the way, about the formula for successful immigration. My vision is this: the one who has successfully immigrated is the one who feels at HOME IN THE NEW COUNTRY. And what strategy he chose is a second matter. But I insisted on one thing, I insist and will insist. Not only on medicinal herbs, haha ​​😊 But also on the fact that sooner or later you will have to master a new language, even if you are a proud and independent outcast. Knowing the language of the country in which you have settled for a long time is like swimming if you are in water, or walking if you are on land. As Olenka said in “Office Romance” - “I will develop this topic in my next letter».