On page 155, what does Ha mean when she says “I feel as if I’m floating”?

The author is capturing the disorientation of being in a new country. She has to learn a new language but this takes time. She is self conscious and scared so she hides.

“I’m hiding in class by staring at my shoes. I’m hiding during lunch in the bathroom, eating hard rolls saved from dinner. I’m hiding during outside time in the same bathroom. I’m hiding after school until Brother Khôi rides up to our secret corner.” – Inside Out & Back Again