25 Re-Entry: Reverse Culture Shock

Expect to find yourself changed in ways large and small upon return to the U.S. Coming home can be a challenge after spending several weeks in another country fully immersed in another language and culture. Students and parents/guardians alike should consider how they will prepare for Reverse Culture Shock.

In particular, some struggles upon re-entry to the U.S. can include:

• Not wanting to speak English
• Feeling awkward and out-of-place around U.S. friends and family
• Uncertainty of how to deal with increased maturity and independence
• Rollercoaster of emotions: mixed feelings of joy, elation, sadness, depression, being overwhelmed
• Missing host family members and friends in the program
• Longing for certain foods or aspects of the host culture and
• Noticing aspects of U.S. culture that might be less appealing than the host culture.

Once students have adapted to life abroad, coming home will require readjustment. Students will have to integrate what they learned abroad into their U.S. lives. For some people, re-entry is more difficult and the challenges more unexpected than initial culture shock.

Most will experience reverse culture shock to some degree within the following categories:

Family: Students might find it difficult to communicate their feelings and perspectives with family members, because their families have obviously not shared the same experience. The family might have difficulty adjusting to the student’s new independence and changed perspectives or values.

Strategies:

• Students should schedule a time to share their experience with family (photos, stories, etc.).
• Family members are encouraged to continue to learn about the host culture and share the experience with their students.
• Consider planning a future trip to the student’s host city together!

Friends: Students might not feel as close to their original friend group and might need to be sensitive about discussing their experience with them. They might also miss the new friends they made abroad.

Strategies:

• Students should share their summer experience with their longtime friends and ask to know about their summers, as well. Trying new activities together might get the relationships on track again.
• Students are encouraged to maintain contact with their IUHPFL friends. What fun events can you plan together?

School and Academics: Students are likely to look at their high school in a new light and might miss being part of a close-knit study-abroad cohort.

Strategies:

• Students might want to meet with their school counselor to discuss their academic experience abroad and how it might now influence their future studies and career goals.
• Students might ask their world language teacher how they can support language learning at their school.
• Students might consider volunteering to help international students in their high school or advising their peers who wish to study abroad.
• It might be helpful for students and parents to begin researching international programs at the university level, including further study-abroad opportunities, and to stay forward-focused.
• Country: Aspects of the U.S. may no longer be entirely to the student’s liking, and they may have the sense they no longer fit in. Students will probably evaluate ideas and events in the context of a broader global perspective now.
• Strategies:
• Students should recognize that we all tend to look past the shortcomings of our home culture when we are away, and to criticize it on the basis of changed perceptions when we return. Try to be aware of this and be grateful for all the things you like about life in the U.S.
• Keeping up an interest in world events and participating in organizations or clubs with an international focus might be helpful.

Self: Students may have become accustomed to a level of activity and independence that their life in the U.S. might not be able to accommodate right away. It is natural to feel a little restless or a bit depressed for a while after the return.

Strategies:

• Students benefit from giving themselves time to rest and recuperate from the fast pace of the program.
• It is a good idea to continue to write in your program journal: How have you changed through IUHPFL? What have you learned? What are your aspirations for the future?
• Talk with your parents and guardians about ways to steadily develop your level of independence. What new challenges are you ready for?
• Continue to explore your interests and boldly pursue future opportunities to learn, grow, and travel! IUHPFL is just the beginning!