Using focus groups and grounded-theory methods, this study builds a situation-specific theory describing the transitional responses of 18 former South Sudanese refugees resettled in a Midwestern US city. ‘Reaching for a better life’ emerged as the dominant process following resettlement. Findings revealed beliefs, abilities and expectations collide with new realities in ‘The Clash’ zone on arrival, encompassing varied social and cultural domains while reaching for a better life. Processes of ‘understanding’ and ‘being understood’ are mediated by resources from others and perceived losses and gains, with challenges evolving unpredictably and persisting over time. Participants identified that formal resettlement programme shortcomings include neglect of their human capital, prior knowledge and abilities, and failure to consider the most pressing needs identified by former refugees themselves. Findings contribute to understanding of the refugee journey and situational life transitions among resettled South Sudan refugees, with implications for social and health service design and community participatory research.