Coming home after being abroad can be as hard to adjust to as going abroad.
What is known as “reverse culture shock” can set in and take its toll. You’ve grown accustomed to your life in a new place, and it can be hard to get back in the swing of things when you’re suddenly thrown back into your old life.
You’ll miss the crazy, adventurous experiences you had and your life at home may seem dull in comparison. To help make the transition easier, we have outlined a list of tips and suggestions to make your transition as smooth as it can be.Don’t isolate yourself: The overwhelming and sometimes saddening feeling you have when coming back can make you want to shut yourself off, but don’t. Surround yourself with family and friends. You may feel like no one understands what you are going through, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to understand. If you lock yourself in your room, it will only magnify the negative feelings you are experiencing. Try to keep yourself busy. It will speed along the adjustment process.
Stay connected with those you were abroad with: No one is going to understand what you are going through like the friends you were abroad with. Keep in touch to make the process easier. If they do not attend the same college, stay connected through FaceTime, Skype and social media. Olivia Deppen studied abroad her sophomore year of college. Now in her senior year, she is still close with the friends she made abroad. “They made the adjustment process so much easier,” she said. “Every time I wanted to re-live stories, they always wanted to hear it and would join in. I didn’t feel like my other friends back home felt the same way.”
Don’t expect everyone to want to listen to your stories: The harsh reality of coming home from abroad is no one wants to listen to your stories like you think they will. They’ve had their own lives while you were gone, and while they will lend a listening ear for a few stories, it will get old to them fast. This can be painful, especially when you’re talking to a family member or close friend. Just remind yourself that it is not personal and try to keep talks of abroad to a minimum. This is where keeping friends from your time abroad is key.
Write in a journal or make a scrapbook: Journaling and scrapbooking can be therapeutic when you return home. It allows you to reflect on your experience and get the creative juices flowing. It will also help keep you busy, which will benefit you overall. You may need to wait awhile after your return. Starting too soon may just make the process worse. See what feels right to you and go from there.
Plan your next adventure: Looking forward to your travel future can help heal your yearning for your travel past. The nice aspect is, since you already have travel experience, planning the next excursion will come easier to you. Like the journal/scrapbook, don’t jump in too soon. Listen to yourself and what seems right for you.
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