COPING WITH REVERSE CULTURE SHOCK
Posted date: 03 Aug 2021
Culture shock is real, and even if you travel frequently, you won't be immune to it. When you leave your familiar culture for a new one, you experience culture shock. Culture shock is difficult, but dealing with reverse culture shock is even more difficult because it occurs unexpectedly. When you return home after assimilating into your host culture, you experience reverse culture shock. It's strange to understand that the world back home has progressed without you and that things may have altered. You can develop a taste for cuisine from your host country, or you might become critical of your own. It can also be isolating because you'll notice that no one wants to talk about your study abroad experience all of the time. This, too, will pass, just like culture shock. In the meantime, here's how to handle things.
Expect to experience reverse culture shock. You might be surprised at how strange it is to return to your home nation, especially if you've been away for a long time. However, reverse culture shock does occur, and there isn't much you can do to prevent it.
Keep in touch with your new international friends. Alternatively, make new connections with pals from home who has just returned from their own study abroad adventure. If you haven't studied abroad, it's likely that you won't be able to relate to those who have - so don't take it personally if your parents or friends aren't as interested in hearing about your adventures. It's not that they don't care about your happiness - it's just that they haven't gone through the experience themselves, so it's difficult for them to invest in all of your anecdotes. So, remain in touch with all of your international buddies!
Write down your emotions. In the face of uninterested friends and family, journaling it out might be cathartic, but don't be scared to imagine bigger! It's possible that online journals and blogs are looking for contributors to share their stories. If studying abroad had a positive impact on your life, search for opportunities to share your storey!
Recreate your daily routine from your trip abroad at home. You may feel dizzy and confused without your old lifestyle, especially when you first return. Continue any routines you set overseas back home if you find them beneficial while making the shift. Do the same thing at home as you did in France, waking up at 6 a.m. to run! Of course, recreating your life overseas at home is impossible, but resuming a routine might be a helpful coping tool.
Make plans to return! It's natural to crave for your host culture and sometimes even to be critical of your own. However, you should be aware that you can and should return to your host nation. It's only for the time being; it won't be forever!
Posted By
GSP Admin
