Living in a strange land. A lot of us who are attracted to mission's work have an adventurous spirit. We want to experience new and exciting things. That is part of the pull to serving overseas. You react in ways you never would have expected.
Some people can be very negative and judgmental towards their host culture.
Others become depressed. Others are energized. We can hide behind the familiarity of our own culture. We have ways of coping with stress in our own culture that works. WE have a support network we turn to.