Re-Entry or Reverse Culture Shock
When you talk about reverse culture shock what you’re really talking about are differences between two lifestyles and admitting that there’s some adjustment when moving between them. You are not the same as when you left home. Your behavior and communication patterns have changed as well as your hierarchy of values. You will probably continue to evaluate ideas and events for many years in the context of the broader cultural perspective you have acquired.
Personal growth, new insights into your own culture, connections with people overseas, a new understanding of the issues facing your changing world, and new language skills are just a few of the changes you may have noted since returning from your study abroad experience. In some cases, the academic experience overseas can provide a new perspective on your academic or career goals.
You may want to think through the many ways in which you have changed as a result of the overseas experience and write these impressions in a personal journal. You should also share what you have experienced with others who have studied abroad and keep in touch with others in your group!
You may have taken your country and your culture for granted until you went abroad. Then, differences in beliefs, customs, resources, and values became apparent. Now that you have returned home, your new awareness may give you critical insights. Your home culture – from social conditions to mass media – looks different to you now. There may be political changes and economic developments.
Common reactions to re-entry include:
- After an exciting and stimulating time abroad, returning to family, friends and old routines can seem dull. It is natural to miss the excitement and challenges which characterize the study abroad experience. Challenge yourself academically and socially.
- Find ways to incorporate your new interests and cross-cultural skills into your life here at home through involvement with international groups, tutoring, or services in the community or on campus. It can be helpful to get involved in international organizations, see a film in the language of the host culture, and keep up with the international news. Write to your friends overseas – and plan your next adventure!
- Develop and give people a 2 minute answer to the question “how was your study abroad experience?” Think about what you want to communicate ahead of time. If people want to hear more detail, they will ask. Remember that they may not be able to relate to your experiences.
- After a long period of separation, people often need to renegotiate friendships and adjust to being together again. Just as you have altered some of your ideas and attitudes while abroad, the people at home are likely to have experienced some changes, too. Flexibility and openness are important qualities in successfully developing “new” relationships with relatives and old friends.
Possible Concerns:
- Fitting back in; knowing you’ve changed and wondering how families and friends will accept those changes.
- Conveying your exchange experience to those at home.
- Reactions of old friends to the "new you."
- Old friends may have moved; may need to make friends in a younger class.
- Making up a missed semester or year.
- Losing the ability to speak the second language well.
- Missing host family and friends.
- Wanting to maintain some new attitudes.
- Seeing the United State realistically and how to communicate this.
- Catching up on missed news, developments.
Don’t worry. . .It will get better!
Adapted from Gary Weaver, American University of International Service; from "Welcome Home: Managing Reentry or Reverse Culture Shock" by Alice Wu and "The Top Ten Immediate Re-entry Challenges," by Dr. Bruce LaBrack. Aspire Newsletter, p.6. Spring 1994; University of Wisconsin Madison and the University of Minnesota Study Abroad Programs.
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