Upon reading the prompt, my mind raced back to a series I knew of and later got to watch some of the seasons. It's titled “Lost.” For those not familiar with the series, it explores a close narrative to what the prompt provides. A group of people travelling on an aeroplane crashed on an island, with no help and what seemed to be no way outStriving to survive, they had to adapt to the new environment, which became their new home.
All manner of people from different walks of life had to adjust to the situation for the sake of survival, which wasn't easy at first. I watched how people adjusted to the new, unfamiliar and unpleasant environment they found themselves in. Even before coming across this prompt, I've wondered sometimes what it would be like to be stranded. To wake up in an unfamiliar environment you never dreamed nor thought of, but you have to survive.
Say I get dropped in a strange land, with no money or help, how long would it take to get myself set? How long to become a functioning member of that land? It's easier said than done. Let's be honest about it. Two things that we seem to need and use in our world today are unavailable; money and help. It won't be an easy situation to deal with. I don't even know what resources I'll be left with while dropped on that strange land.
Nevertheless, survival instincts will kick in, to help me get set and become a functioning member of that strange land. But it doesn't just start anywhere, it starts from somewhere. It would probably take me a considerable amount of time to get myself set, depending on how I become adaptable and coexist, and how receptive the inhabitants are on their part. Since I don't have money and I don't have help, I surely need their reception.
Though this won't be easy to just do. But for the sake of shelter and food, I would need to get myself set quickly. This starts with me accepting that I'm in a strange land, and I need to find a way to get by and get along. With money unavailable to make purchases, I could exchange resources I have for money. I would seek to see the/a leader for proper introduction, if we haven't met. This should give me a better shot at seeking and getting help.
With my mind set on the reality, the next hurdle is becoming trustworthy before them, which should automatically raise me to a functioning member of that land, having access to the necessities of livelihood there. To achieve that, I would offer to help out in duties and tasks, attend events, and respect the people and their culture by all good means. People value their culture or way of life, and respecting it will mean a lot to them.
I would also seek to know and understand the systems of how things work there. Through observations and questions, I should be able to get much of that. Even through all of that, from when I got dropped on that strange land and got myself set, intentional efforts towards adapting would be going on. This, not just to become a functioning member, but to survive. So, how long would it take me for all that? As long or as quick as it takes.
