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Reverse Culture Shock

Upon returning home, you were undoubtedly happy to see your friends and family, and glad to be back in familiar territory. At times, though, your inability to communicate all of your thoughts and feelings about your life abroad, may be frustrating. It might also prove difficult to reconcile the life you lived abroad, with the way you live in the US.

These feelings can manifest themselves in a number of ways including:

• Reverse homesickness-missing people and places from abroad
• Boredom, insecurity, uncertainty, confusion, frustration
• Need for excessive sleep
• Feelings of alienation, withdrawal, or resistance toward family and friends

This phenomenon is known as “reverse culture shock” or “re-entry shock.” And while it may not be as significant as the initial culture shock you experienced upon going overseas, reverse culture shock can be more upsetting as it is often unexpected.

During this transition period, it’s important to keep in touch with your fellow study abroad students. Together you can provide a great support system for one another. They will be interested in your experiences and will want to share your feelings about being back home.

As with initial culture shock, it requires time and effort for you to make a successful readjustment. Not only have you learned about another culture, but gained greater insight into yourself and your own culture.

Suggestions for overcoming reverse culture shock are:

• Get involved in groups or activities both on and off campus that are international in focus or continue a new interest that you acquired while overseas.
• If you learned a new language while studying abroad, try to keep it up. Join a conversation group or seek out international students with whom you can speak the language. They will welcome the opportunity to speak their native tongue and, as fellow international students, will enjoy sharing common experiences.
• Start thinking about how you can most effectively utilize your international experience. Become an ambassador and share your abroad experience with others.

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