“They are about to find me out”: impostor feelings, especially abroad
Author: The Narcis editorial team · updated: August 8, 2026
Clinical review: a practising psychotherapist
You got through the interview, you were hired, you are doing well — and inside sits the fear that it was a fluke and everyone will soon see you are worth nothing. The so-called impostor phenomenon is not a separate clinical diagnosis but a common way of describing persistent doubt about your own competence despite real achievements.
Highly competent people feel it too
Self-doubt is not a reliable measure of actual competence. It can intensify during a move into a new role, in a competitive environment, or when the usual markers of success disappear.
Why emigration turns up the volume
Abroad, something else is added: a new language, different rules of the game, and the absence here of your reputation and track record. You compare yourself with locals for whom this environment is ordinary — and it is easy to draw a conclusion that does not favour you.
What helps
Collect evidence. Get into the habit of writing down specific facts: what worked, what you were thanked for. The impostor lives on feelings; facts are its weak spot.
Say it out loud. “It seems I am having impostor feelings right now” — and the fog thins a little. And if you talk to colleagues, it often turns out half of them feel the same.
Separate the feeling from the fact. Feeling like a fraud is not the same as being one. It is an emotion, not an assessment of your actual work.
When to see a professional
If this is making you avoid opportunities, lose sleep, or burn out trying to prove you are worthy, a therapist can help you explore what sustains these doubts in your particular case, and what helps you lean on the actual facts.
If this topic resonated — you do not have to sit with it alone.
Find a therapist for this topic →This article is for information only and is not a substitute for an individual consultation with a specialist.