Introduction:
Psychological adaptation to major life changes like studying abroad may involve complex emotional and cognitive challenges. Metaphors provide a symbolic way for individuals to express and understand experiences, especially when they are difficult to articulate directly. Therefore, metaphors are useful tools for exploring how people manage and adjust psychologically during such transitions.
Purpose:
This study investigates how international students use metaphorical language to represent their experiences of adapting to a new cultural context. It explores how metaphors reflect the internal processes of coping, emotional regulation, and meaning-making that accompany psychological adaptation.
Method:
Drawing from a broader qualitative study on psychological adaptation, this analysis focuses on participants' metaphorical descriptions of their experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 international students from 12 countries studying in Milan universities. Ethical approval was granted by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Ethics Committee. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Themes such as the fluctuation between turmoil and calm emotional states, confronting ambiguity and uncertainty, and the dynamic reconstruction of meaning were developed, each reflected through participants' personal metaphors. Metaphors like "a sky that is sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny," "a roller coaster," and "a strong elephant" illustrated variable emotional experiences, feelings of instability, and efforts to regain control and meaning within a new cultural context.
Conclusion:
The results highlight the active role of metaphors as tools for processing experience, regulating emotions, and redefining the self during adaptation to a new cultural context. By symbolically expressing complex emotions and restructuring their experiences, students actively engage in coping and self-reflection. Metaphorical language reveals how individuals interpret, manage, and adapt to new cultural experiences.


Funding:
This research was supported by Fondazione Fratelli Confalonieri, Milan, Italy.