I am a 22-year-old woman who has just moved to Matabeleland. The language is my biggest challenge and barrier. I don’t speak Ndebele, which most people here speak. I find it difficult to communicate. People are reluctant to speak English and those I work with speak in their language around me which makes me feel so out of place. I find myself to be so lost and stressed. Please advise me on what I can do to fit in? – Diana
Dear Diana
I understand the feeling dear one. But you do not have to make life difficult for yourself by resisting change. There is no way you are going to change all the people in your new home to suit your needs. It is much easier for you to change to suit the environment. Resisting the reality of your current life will block your success, you need to swim with the tide rather than against it. What I am saying here is that you need to accept the fact that you need to learn their language. It might seem an enormous task but if you just take the first step and learn the greetings and a few simple sentences I am sure people will respond positively to your efforts. You can bond with people at your workplace by asking them to help you learn some phrases. This will take effort on your part but it will be well worth it I promise you. – Aunty Lisa