Table 3 Cross-cultural adaptation themes... | Emerald Publishing

Table 3

Cross-cultural adaptation themes

Description	Illustrative quotes
Individual sense-making attributes
The characteristics and capabilities of individuals that were observed at play: punctuated career paths, entrepreneurial background, language competencies, hidden cultural meanings, observed personal characteristics (self-confidence, belief in own abilities) and how these evolved and were demonstrated throughout the research process	“… you may decide that you are not going to be poor your parent's way. And how do you do that, through your hard work, determination to succeed”. (Obusi, INT1)) It took her a while to realize that when a native person said that they would get back to her, she took their word for it and was surprised when they did not. She said that some other nationality would tell you “no” straight away, but the natives tell you “yes, I'll get back to you”, even though they never intend to. (Pamela, ONs)
Imagined and real journeys transcending spaces
Comparisons with future self in current/alternative location, comparisons with others in current location/alternative location, impact of journeys home	“I think I'm sick and tired of living away from home. Trying to defend yourself, trying to explain yourself all the time. It's getting worse now” (Pamela, INT2) “I talk to them but still it's not the same because I cannot, you do not have the same problems and you know it's not the same country, you cannot say like what has happened to me because they would not understand. It's not the same situation …”(Lisa, INT1) “they [friends at home] are interested in how I'm living here” (Monika, INT1)
Paradoxical social networks
These could be divided into: close family in host country, family in home country, friends in home/other country, host members. Close family is providing conditional support while those networks that could provide resources were underexplored with a distance kept between participants and natives	“I'm not in good mood at all, we have been experiencing constant racial attacks where we live, so I'm too scared to leave my wife and children alone in the house[…]My car was smashed, and they also came trying to attack me and a family friend right in my front garden. However, we have since been going out to view houses. As soon as everything is sorted I will let you guys know” … (Obusi, IC) … everybody says oh Nigerians are this, Nigerians are that, but take one man to begin a change, if you, if you live your life differently you do not have to talk people will know you are different. They probably have met several other people from Nigeria? […] we Nigerians know that some of us are terrible. Some do not like to work but they want to live good, well then it depends on your family, family background, your upbringing … (Obusi/INT1) Interviewer: You have been here for 7 years now and do you feel at home? Pamela: … outside my house, no, inside my house, yes. (Pamela/INT2) … maybe it was too much for me for being abroad from a different culture, always everyday the same differences, you know what I mean. Oh again, again, yeah they are like that … (Monika/INT2)
Dynamic cultural identities
This theme reflects the participants' changing perceptions of their cultural identities within a new host country. Four different dynamic cultural identity positions were adopted at different times and specific situations: (1) “I am the minority”, (2) parallel cultural existence, (3) “we do not belong here or there”., and (4) “this is home”	“I'm not in good mood at all, we have been experiencing constant racial attacks where we live, so I'm too scared to leave my wife and children alone in the house[…]My car was smashed, and they also came trying to attack me and a family friend right in my front garden. However, we have since been going out to view houses. As soon as everything is sorted I will let you guys know … (Obusi, IC) … everybody says oh Nigerians are this, Nigerians are that, but take one man to begin a change, if you, if you live your life differently you do not have to talk people will know you are different. They probably have met several other people from Nigeria? […] we Nigerians know that some of us are terrible. Some do not like to work but they want to live good, well then it depends on your family, family background, your upbringing … (Obusi/INT1) Interviewer: You have been here for 7 years now and do you feel at home? Pamela: … outside my house, no, inside my house, yes. (Pamela/INT2) … maybe it was too much for me for being abroad from a different culture, always everyday the same differences, you know what I mean. Oh again, again, yeah they are like that … (Monika/INT2)

Description	Illustrative quotes
Individual sense-making attributes
The characteristics and capabilities of individuals that were observed at play: punctuated career paths, entrepreneurial background, language competencies, hidden cultural meanings, observed personal characteristics (self-confidence, belief in own abilities) and how these evolved and were demonstrated throughout the research process	“… you may decide that you are not going to be poor your parent's way. And how do you do that, through your hard work, determination to succeed”. (Obusi, INT1))It took her a while to realize that when a native person said that they would get back to her, she took their word for it and was surprised when they did not. She said that some other nationality would tell you “no” straight away, but the natives tell you “yes, I'll get back to you”, even though they never intend to. (Pamela, ONs)
Imagined and real journeys transcending spaces
Comparisons with future self in current/alternative location, comparisons with others in current location/alternative location, impact of journeys home	“I think I'm sick and tired of living away from home. Trying to defend yourself, trying to explain yourself all the time. It's getting worse now” (Pamela, INT2)“I talk to them but still it's not the same because I cannot, you do not have the same problems and you know it's not the same country, you cannot say like what has happened to me because they would not understand. It's not the same situation …”(Lisa, INT1)“they [friends at home] are interested in how I'm living here” (Monika, INT1)
Paradoxical social networks
These could be divided into: close family in host country, family in home country, friends in home/other country, host members. Close family is providing conditional support while those networks that could provide resources were underexplored with a distance kept between participants and natives	“I'm not in good mood at all, we have been experiencing constant racial attacks where we live, so I'm too scared to leave my wife and children alone in the house[…]My car was smashed, and they also came trying to attack me and a family friend right in my front garden. However, we have since been going out to view houses. As soon as everything is sorted I will let you guys know” … (Obusi, IC)… everybody says oh Nigerians are this, Nigerians are that, but take one man to begin a change, if you, if you live your life differently you do not have to talk people will know you are different. They probably have met several other people from Nigeria? […] we Nigerians know that some of us are terrible. Some do not like to work but they want to live good, well then it depends on your family, family background, your upbringing … (Obusi/INT1)Interviewer: You have been here for 7 years now and do you feel at home? Pamela: … outside my house, no, inside my house, yes. (Pamela/INT2)… maybe it was too much for me for being abroad from a different culture, always everyday the same differences, you know what I mean. Oh again, again, yeah they are like that … (Monika/INT2)
Dynamic cultural identities
This theme reflects the participants' changing perceptions of their cultural identities within a new host country. Four different dynamic cultural identity positions were adopted at different times and specific situations: (1) “I am the minority”, (2) parallel cultural existence, (3) “we do not belong here or there”., and (4) “this is home”	“I'm not in good mood at all, we have been experiencing constant racial attacks where we live, so I'm too scared to leave my wife and children alone in the house[…]My car was smashed, and they also came trying to attack me and a family friend right in my front garden. However, we have since been going out to view houses. As soon as everything is sorted I will let you guys know … (Obusi, IC)… everybody says oh Nigerians are this, Nigerians are that, but take one man to begin a change, if you, if you live your life differently you do not have to talk people will know you are different. They probably have met several other people from Nigeria? […] we Nigerians know that some of us are terrible. Some do not like to work but they want to live good, well then it depends on your family, family background, your upbringing … (Obusi/INT1)Interviewer: You have been here for 7 years now and do you feel at home? Pamela: … outside my house, no, inside my house, yes. (Pamela/INT2)… maybe it was too much for me for being abroad from a different culture, always everyday the same differences, you know what I mean. Oh again, again, yeah they are like that … (Monika/INT2)