By now, hopefully you’ve had a chance to see the film “Avatar” at least once.  (I’ve seen it twice – once in IMAX 3D, incredible!)

I realized that this was the ultimate relocation experience – both physically and mentally.  So, I thought it would be interesting to analyze the film from this perspective.

When we’re first entering the film, the main character is relocating to another planet.  Even though the typical relocation stays on earth, it can feel like you’ve gone to another planet when you first arrive.  There are changes in nature, architecture, clothing and food to name a few.  Nothing on the terrain may feel familiar, leaving you feeling a bit alien to the culture, and perhaps experiencing culture shock.

Even if you do jump in and try to get going, like the main character in Avatar when he syncs with his Avatar, you will inevitably maintain the behaviors you’re accustomed to.  Jake Sully, in Avatar, knows how to be a fighter, use a gun, and be flippant.  When he jumps into his Avatar body, he goes right into “attack and defend” mode, as he was trained to do.  You may try to dress the same way, speak the same way, drive on the same side of the road, etc and find that you need to make some adjustments to fit in on your new “planet”.

We watch as Jake Sully learns the ways of the people of Pandora.  At first, he is fascinated, but keeps his flippancy, even trying to speak to the “tribe” when speech is forbidden to anyone who is not born or inducted into that tribe.  When you relocate, you must watch for cultural traditions and respect them.  This can be found in formailty of address, eye contact, etc.  Make sure you take the time to observe, and do your best to learn the ways of the culture you’re living in.  Notice that in the movie, Jake had no real allies.  Neytiri is forced, against her will, to train Jake, and everyone else scoffs at him as an outsider who will never succeed.  Eventually, Jake convinces Neytiri of his heart and interest, and once he wins her over, he is able to eventually be accepted into the tribe.  In a similar way, you may originally have a hard time making friends, or feel like an outsider who is not accepted.  Remember, you only need one friend to make a start – so focus on making just one friend or ally, and then let the rest fall into place after you relocate. Remember, too, the more willing you are to learn and adapt to the local customs and traditions, the easier and quicker your transition will be.

A funny thing begins to happen by the end of the film – Jake actually becomes his Avatar.  Now, while you may not necessarily become a citizen or a native of another country or culture, if you make the effort to learn their ways, and stay there long enough, you will eventually have a strong identity with them.  For anyone in this situation, if you eventually repatriate, you will find you have a difficult time because of how closely you identify with the culture you’ve assimilated to, making you feel like an outsider in what, previously, you considered home.

Inevitably, this could lead you to question “who am I?”  Is Jake a man, his Avatar, or both?  Crossing cultures is a complicated process, but sometimes it helps you discover wonderful parts of yourself you never would have found if you hadn’t taken the challenge.