Brazilian Inferiority Complex: How It Affects Life Abroad

What is Brazil’s so-called “mongrel complex”?

The mongrel complex can be defined as the belief that everything that comes from abroad is better than what is produced in Brazil. It is the feeling of inferiority in relation to other countries and cultures. It is important to note that this feeling is not exclusive to Brazil and can be found in other developing countries. However, the term was created in Brazil and is still very present in culture and society.

The mongrel complex is something that can affect the self-esteem of Brazilians. Many feel inferior and unable to compete with other cultures. This mindset can lead to a lack of confidence in their abilities and themselves also known as imposter syndrome.

How this inferiority complex affects life abroad

When Brazilians move to other countries, this sense of inferiority can intensify. They may feel even more insecure and afraid of not being accepted by the new culture. This insecurity can lead to difficulties in adapting and self-esteem problems.

Furthermore, language is often a barrier for Brazilians moving to other countries. Even those who speak another language can have difficulty communicating on a deep, meaningful level. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Another factor that can aggravate this inferiority complex in life abroad is the lack of familiarity with local traditions and habits. Brazilians can feel lost and unable to adapt to new customs. They may constantly compare themselves to the culture they left behind and feel inferior to the new culture.

Read also: “Discover 17 very strange laws in Quebec for newcomers”

Signs of an inferiority complex in the workplace

There are many signs that may indicate that you suffer from this inferiority complex in your workplace when you choose to live abroad. Some to note are: 

Looking for a job - Source: Image Bank

• Attribute your success to external factors: Even though you are a successful professional in your field, you attribute your achievements to external factors, such as luck, chance or other people. Regardless of how many promotions you receive or how much positive feedback you receive at work, you are convinced that you didn’t earn it on your own merit.
• Doubting yourself: you question your decisions and avoid doing something you believe in simply because you underestimate your own experience and knowledge. 
• Being overly critical of your work: You focus on your mistakes rather than your achievements. No matter how hard you work, you’ve convinced yourself that you can always do better, and instead of congratulating yourself on your past performance, you only find reasons to criticize.
• Fear of being discovered or exposed as a fraud: Even though you are good at what you do, you are convinced that you are a fraud and it is only a matter of time before you are “caught”. You don’t believe you deserve your job, and as a result, you often worry about the day when everyone else realizes it too.
• Fear of falling short of expectations: You hold yourself to unreasonably high standards and assume that your peers, peers, and managers hold you to those standards as well. You consider everything you do that doesn’t meet these high standards as a failure. You may feel the need to work harder (and take on more stress) because of your fear of failure.
• Your achievements do not reassure you: although you are determined to meet the expectations you have set for yourself, even your achievements do not reassure you. Instead, you may think they are part of the “illusion” of success you have created for yourself.
• Being overly sensitive to constructive criticism: not only do you dismiss positive feedback, but you also tend to focus only on the negative aspect of constructive criticism. By doing this, you confirm your sense of inferiority or perceived lack of intelligence or experience.
• Underestimating your experience: You may avoid sharing your knowledge and ideas for fear that others will doubt you or laugh at you. And when others look to you for guidance, you struggle to provide it confidently or underestimate your level of expertise.

Overcoming this mindset abroad

Overcoming this inferiority complex can be a challenge, but it is possible. One of the first things Brazilians can do is learn about the new culture. By understanding local traditions, habits and beliefs, Brazilians can feel more comfortable and confident in their ability to adapt. It’s important to remember that no culture is better or worse than another - they are simply different.

Tips for rebuilding your confidence as a newcomer

Be open to new challenges: Don’t avoid challenging job opportunities because you’re afraid of being exposed as a fraud. If you’re hesitant to take on a new project at work, ask yourself why and don’t let fear or doubt be the limiting factor. In fact, taking on new challenges can help you develop skills and confidence to overcome this inferiority complex.

Recognize the value of your work: You’ve probably spent years developing expertise in your skills. What you once considered a challenging task is now easy, and as a result, you may underestimate your capabilities. But just because something is easy for you doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone else. To combat this negativity, it can be helpful to assign a monetary value to your work, such as calculating what your organization would pay to outsource your tasks or how much revenue your work has generated in a given period of time. Seek help: If you have a co-worker, mentor or manager you trust, talk openly about your struggle with imposter syndrome. They can help keep you grounded by providing a more realistic assessment of your work. Discussing your situation with your manager can also help ensure that your workload is manageable and that you are not spending too much time perfecting something that is already well done.

Connect: Another way to overcome this inferiority complex is to find a group of Brazilians in the host country. These groups can provide emotional and social support as well as share common experiences. It’s important to remember that while these groups can be helpful, they shouldn’t be the only source of social connection. Brazilians should seek to meet people from other cultures as well, even if there is no deepening of the relationship.

Read also: “Quebec for Brazilian newcomers: Tips on local culture”

Finally, it is important to remember that overcoming this inferiority complex is not something that happens overnight. It can take time and constant effort to change your mindset.

Final words

The Brazilian inferiority complex can be a significant barrier for those who decide to live abroad. Feelings of inferiority in relation to other cultures can lead to difficulties in adapting and self-esteem problems.

As you begin to build your career in Canada in a new work environment, feelings like this may arise. It’s important to step back and take an unbiased view of the value you bring and your contribution to the organization’s goals. Remember to go easy on yourself and know that there is no stigma in seeking support if needed.

If it weren’t for my network of friends and the various communities I’m part of, it would probably take longer to achieve the results I did. Leave fear and anguish aside, the hardest thing you’ve ever done was moving country. Keep in mind employers really need you, otherwise you wouldn’t have started your plan to come to Canada.

We are very good at what we do, and not just because we have quality training, but also because of our high ability to solve problems with few resources. We are all the time trying to do more with less and, for rich countries like the USA and Canada, this is almost a joke with the size of their market.

When Canadian employers find a qualified Brazilian professional, they have no doubts about their ability to adapt and be productive, as we have already built a great reputation among recruiters.

The challenge of leaving the country is far from a fairy tale, but it can bring many rewards in the medium and long term. I made this crossing myself and have no regrets. The same is true for many Brazilian friends of mine, including technicians, engineers and scientists who built fulfilling careers abroad. It is a shame that so many could not find the same opportunities at home. In the end, Brazil also loses when more of its talent leaves the country.

Well, that’s what I had to say today. If you want more tips like these, sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about life in Canada, especially in Quebec and Montreal.

See you in the next post! 😉