Reverse Culture Shock: What to Expect Adjusting to Life Back Home After Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is a transformative experience that broadens your horizons, enhances your understanding of different cultures, and often changes your worldview. However, one aspect of the study abroad experience that is less frequently discussed is the phenomenon of reverse culture shock. When you return home, you might find that adjusting to life back home can be just as challenging, if not more so, than adapting to your host country. This article delves into what reverse culture shock is, what to expect, and how to navigate this often overlooked transition.

Understanding Reverse Culture Shock

Reverse culture shock, also known as re-entry shock or re-acculturation, refers to the emotional and psychological discomfort one experiences when returning to their home country after an extended period abroad. While culture shock occurs when you initially encounter a new culture, reverse culture shock happens when you return to your familiar environment but find it feels unfamiliar.

Stages of Reverse Culture Shock

Reverse culture shock typically unfolds in stages similar to those of culture shock:

1. Honeymoon Stage: Initially, you might feel excited to be back home, reunited with family and friends, and enjoy the comforts you missed while abroad.

2. Irritation and Hostility: As the novelty wears off, you may start to feel out of place. You might become irritated with aspects of your home culture that now seem strange or frustrating.

3. Adjustment: Gradually, you begin to reconcile the differences and adapt to being home, finding a new normal that incorporates aspects of both cultures.

4. Adaptation: Eventually, you fully readjust, finding a balance between your experiences abroad and your life at home.

Common Symptoms of Reverse Culture Shock

The symptoms of reverse culture shock can vary but often include:

• Restlessness: Feeling uneasy or out of place in your home environment.

• Boredom: Finding everyday life mundane compared to your experiences abroad.

• Irritability: Becoming easily frustrated with people and situations that never bothered you before.

• Nostalgia: Longing for your host country and the life you had there.

• Alienation: Feeling disconnected from family and friends who don’t understand what you’ve been through.

• Depression: Experiencing sadness or depression as you struggle to readjust.

Challenges of Returning Home

Returning home after studying abroad presents several unique challenges:

Changes in Your Absence

Life at home doesn’t stand still while you’re away. Friends and family might have moved on, taken up new hobbies, started new jobs, or made new friends. Adjusting to these changes can make you feel like an outsider in your own home.

Shifts in Perspective

Your time abroad likely changed your perspective on many things. You may have adopted new values, behaviors, and attitudes that conflict with those prevalent at home. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustration as you try to reconcile your new worldview with the old.

Unmet Expectations

You may have expectations about what your return will be like. Perhaps you anticipate a grand homecoming or assume you’ll slip back into your old life seamlessly. When reality doesn’t meet these expectations, it can be disheartening.

Lack of Understanding

Friends and family who haven’t had similar experiences might struggle to understand what you’re going through. They might not relate to your stories or comprehend why you’re feeling out of sorts.

Strategies for Coping with Reverse Culture Shock

Stay Connected

Maintain connections with people you met abroad. Sharing your experiences and feelings with those who understand can be incredibly validating and comforting.

Reflect and Integrate

Take time to reflect on your experiences. Journaling, blogging, or creating a photo album can help you process your journey and integrate your experiences into your new life.

Stay Busy

Engage in activities that keep you occupied and help you reintegrate into your community. Volunteering, joining clubs, or taking up new hobbies can provide a sense of purpose and belonging.

Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, family, or professionals. Talking about your feelings with someone who understands or is willing to listen can make a significant difference.

Be Patient

Give yourself time to readjust. It’s normal to experience reverse culture shock, and it won’t last forever. Be patient with yourself as you navigate this transition.

Embrace Both Worlds

Try to find a balance between the old and the new. Incorporate aspects of your host culture into your daily life at home. This could be through cooking, language practice, or cultural activities.