Moving to another country is never easy, especially one where you have ancestral roots and probably high expectations. While repatriating to Armenia is exciting, the true process of relocating to your homeland is an emotional rollercoaster, which you’re probably not fully prepared for. The ups and downs are to be expected, and understanding them can make the transition smoother. Repatriation is not only about logistics—like securing housing, work, or residency—it is just as much about emotions, identity, and redefining what “home” means. Here are some of the emotions you might experience while making the move to Armenia, along with insights into why they occur and how to navigate them.
 

(These reflections are shared from the perspective of a Repat who has been living in Armenia for approximately two years.)
 

Excitement
 

You’re probably bursting with excitement when you first decide to make the move. You’re about to make a huge change in your life, you may even have an “Armenian dream” about what your future in the homeland might look like. These feelings might be fuelled by a personal calling combined with patriotism, rooted in a life-long longing for living in the country that you consider your ancestral home. This excitement can be empowering. It gives you energy to face the challenges ahead, and it also helps you reconnect with your heritage in a way that feels deeply meaningful.
 

Nerves
 

That feeling of excitement might turn into nerves in the weeks and days before you board the plane, and that’s OK. Making the move to Armenia is by no means a small step. It’s normal to feel a little nervous before making the trip, this is your mind and your body getting itself ready for what might be a demanding period at first.
 

You may feel anxiety about leaving the life you’re used to behind. That’s totally normal. You may ask yourself questions about adjusting, and finding friends and employment. These nervous feelings are not a sign of weakness. Repatriation is a huge step, and your worries simply reflect the gravity of the transition. Acknowledging your nerves, rather than suppressing them, can help you process them in a healthy way.

Honeymoon Phase
 

For many repats, the first weeks or months in Armenia feel magical. You may find yourself constantly smiling, taking in the language, landscapes, and traditions that you’ve dreamed of experiencing. Walking through Yerevan’s streets or visiting your ancestral village might give you an overwhelming sense of belonging.
 

During this honeymoon phase, you may feel a surge of national pride. Everyday life feels exciting—shopping at local markets, hearing Armenian spoken everywhere, or enjoying cultural events. It’s common to view Armenia through rose-tinted glasses at this stage, and some even feel proud that they are contributing, in however small a way, to the country’s development.
 

Frustration
 

Of course, the honeymoon phase rarely lasts forever. Once the novelty wears off, you begin to encounter Armenia’s complexities. Bureaucracy can be time-consuming and confusing, especially for those used to more streamlined systems abroad. Securing residency, dealing with government offices, or even opening a bank account can feel overwhelming.
 

Cultural differences can also create frustration. Workplace dynamics may be different than what you’re used to, and certain social customs may take time to understand. You might feel irritation when daily tasks take longer than expected, or when your expectations clash with reality.
 

Reverse Culture Shock
 

Many people assume culture shock only applies when moving to an entirely foreign country, but repats often experience “reverse culture shock”. Even though Armenia is your homeland, it may feel unfamiliar. Western Armenians, for example, may find Eastern Armenian dialects challenging, or notice that local traditions differ from what they practiced in the diaspora.
 

Food, humor, social etiquette, and daily rhythms may all feel slightly “off.” You may even feel a sense of guilt or confusion—why does your “homeland" feel foreign to you? This stage is especially tough, as it forces you to re-examine your identity and how you fit into the Armenian experience.
 

Self-Doubt
 

With reverse culture shock often comes self-doubt. You may wonder if you are cut out for life in Armenia, whether you idealize it too much, or if you’ll ever truly feel at home. These thoughts are particularly strong for those who moved alone, without family or a partner to lean on.
 

Self-doubt can be isolating, but it is also a natural part of the adjustment process. Every immigrant—whether moving to their ancestral homeland or not—faces moments of questioning. Over time, as routines form and support networks grow, this stage tends to fade, replaced with more confidence and stability.
 

Adaptation
 

After the initial highs and lows, most repats begin to settle into a rhythm. This stage is about adapting—learning how things work, adjusting your expectations, and developing strategies for daily life. By now, you may have figured out how to navigate local systems, and you’re more comfortable with cultural differences.
 

Importantly, adaptation also involves relationships. At this point, you’re likely forming genuine friendships not just with other repats, but with local Armenians too. These connections can be grounding, providing both social support and deeper cultural understanding.
 

Hybridity
 

As you grow into your new life, you may realize you’ve developed a “hybrid’ identity. Locals may never fully see you as “one of them,” but that’s OK. You bring different experiences, perspectives, and skills to the community, which are valuable precisely because they are unique.
 

You may also feel less like a traditional diasporan. Instead, you embody a bridge between worlds, helping to connect Armenian communities across borders. Accepting hybridity can be liberating—it allows you to embrace your whole self without trying to “fit perfectly” into one category.
 

Comfort
 

It can take a while for Armenia to feel like home, but after a while, it just might do! Once you’ve established yourself in the country, have your routines, and a solid group of friends, those feelings of doubt and frustration could very well turn into feelings of comfort. What started off as a strange place may soon feel like home. Moving to Armenia is definitely not easy, but once you’ve got over the emotional and bureaucratic hurdles, it could even surpass the expectations you had at the very beginning.
 

Conclusion
 

Overall, the emotional journey of repatriation to Armenia is non-linear. Repats constantly cycle between excitement, struggle, and adaptation. It’s important to remember that repatriation is not a straight line. You won’t necessarily pass through these stages once and then be “done.” Instead, emotions come in waves. You might feel comfortable one month, then suddenly frustrated the next.
 

Over time, however, these cycles become easier, and you gain more resilience in navigating them. Those who thrive often do so by keeping expectations realistic, building support networks (amongst both local and repat communities), and allowing themselves to carry a hybrid identity rather than seeking a “perfect return.”