Migration is often framed as a logistical or economic decision – new opportunities, better prospects, a fresh start. But what if I told you that moving countries doesn’t just change your surroundings, but rewires your brain?

From neurological shifts to relationship struggles, migration is a seismic event that reshapes how we think, feel, and connect.

I know this firsthand. When I moved from Zimbabwe to Ireland 26 years ago, I assumed the hardest part would be adjusting to the weather and food. Instead, I found myself feeling disconnected from my husband, frustrated by simple interactions, and struggling with a sense of unfamiliarity that I couldn’t shake. At one point, I even considered divorce.