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Read for information on reverse culture shock after
studying abroad, cultural shock after returning to home country, and
re-entry shocks in the home country.
Reverse Culture Shock
As soon as the students reach their homeland, after years of an
international study or work experience, they sense an isolated feeling
all of a sudden. Understanding levels of their own family people and
even the close friends may seem to be dissimilar. This is the moment
when 'studied-abroad' students may identify a 'new person' inside
themselves!
- Your friends and family may, perhaps, expect you to be the same
person and you may not feel as though you have changed so much
during your time abroad yet many of your perceptions and mindset may
have changed due to your experience and exposure to a totally
different culture.
- Returning to your 'older personality' can be a complex setback.
You should attempt to share why you have changed your views and
attitudes by explaining adventures you have had to everyone around
you.
- Trying to fine-tune your new ideas and attitudes that were formed
while you were abroad will give you best of the results.
- Re-entry Students may sense a reverse culture shock in terms of
ideas and beliefs, traditions, insights and values.
- Students may also feel a difference in their home culture, social
conditions, homeland's mass media and language spoken by people
around, as a completely unusual thing at the moment.
- All this constitutes 'reverse culture shock' but it can be toned
down by integrating your new interests and cross-cultural skills
into your life at home country in many ways.
- This can be done through your involvement with international
groups, tutoring or services in the community or on campus.
- Have the habit of writing the positive aspects of your homeland,
to the friends overseas so that you can relieve yourself from the
'reverse culture shock'.
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