Reverse Culture Shock is real.

Symptoms of Reverse Culture Shock

Challenge to self-concept:
torn between two cultures
loss of national identity
changed behavior
changed ideas and values
changed way of thinking
international experience has to be integrated in the day-to-day realities of life in the home country without compromising important values acquired in the home country

Disconfirmed expectations:
nobody is prepared to experience a culture shock in coming home
most returnees have extremely unrealistic expectations for the home culture
the reentry is idealized
friendships aren’t as intense as they were the day one left
others have not enough capacity to listen to fulfil the returnees need to communicate about his experiences abroad
family and friends expect that the returnee will be happy to be back home, which is not always the case
they want him to get back to normal as soon as possible
family and friends do not expect the returnee to be so critical of the home culture
family and friends generally expect the returnee to be interested in catching up on popular culture and local gossip
people will be confused by the returnees’ lack of interest in things about which he once was passionate

Sense of loss:
much will get lost forever when returning home (friends, landscape, career, lifestyle etc.)
one gets less value, notice and appreciation back home than abroad
loss of status, salary, benefits
loss of the closeness of the expatriate community

The ten top immediate reentry challenges
Boredom. The excitements and challenges of the host country are gone.
”No one wants to hear”. Everybody deals with his/her own concerns (the ”uncle Charlie syndrome”)
Difficulties to explain coherently what really happened. Those who listen don’t have the frame of reference or travel background to understand.
Reverse ”home” sickness. Feelings of being lost and lonely.
The relationships at home have changed. The returnees as well as those who stayed at home have altered.
Some people don’t appreciate the changes of the returnees. This may be caused by jealousy, fear, or feelings of superiority or inferiority.
People misunderstand. They interpret words and actions. Humor may be understood as sarcasm, an offer to help as criticism, the expression of affection as ”showing off”.
Feelings of alienation. The feeling of being ”back home” is not as natural or enjoyable as expected. Inability to apply new knowledge and skills. Lack of opportunities to apply the newly gained social, linguistic, and practical coping skills.
Compartmentalization and loss of experience. The pressures of job, school, family, friends, often combined, may contribute to a feeling of loosing the experiences.

Preparing to return home: Quick tips
Prepare for the adjustment process. The more you think about what is to come or consider the alternatives, the easier the transition will be. ”Worrying helps”.
Allow yourself time. Give yourself permission to ease into the transition.
Understand that the familiar will seem different. This might cause new emotional and psychological reactions to being home.
There will be much ”cultural catching up” to do. A lot has happened at home during your absence.
Reserve judgements. Returning home requires as much openness and tolerance as the entry into the host culture.
Respond thoughtfully and slowly. Quick answers and impulsive reactions in connection with frustration, disorientation, and boredom in the returnee can lead to behavior which is incomprehensible to family and friends.
Cultivate sensitivity. Showing an interest in what others have been doing while you have been on your adventure abroad is the surest way to reestablish rapport.
Beware of comparisons. Making comparisons between cultures and nations is natural, particularly after residence abroad. However, you must be careful not to be seen as too critical of home or too lavish in praise of things foreign.
Remain flexible. Try to establish a balance between maintaining earlier patterns and enhancing your social and intellectual life with new friends and interests.
Seek support networks. There are lots of people back home who have gone through their own reentry and understand a returnees concerns.

Tips for those who stayed at home
Support the preparation of the returnees for coming home. This can be done even from far away.
Be prepared that a new person – somebody you don’t know – will come home.
Mark the reentry clearly for the returnees and for those who stayed at home.
Avoid criticism and mockery for seemingly strange patterns of behavior and new attitudes.
Be attentive towards your own expectations. Avoid to push the returnee into old roles.
Create opportunities for the returnees to report on their experiences. Listen carefully and try to understand their significance for them.
Acknowledge that the returnees have lost something: friends, a stimulating environment, the feeling of being special, responsibilities, privileges...
Encourage contacts to friends and institutions in the former host country.
Encourage contacts to people who have successfully gone through the experience of returning home.
Accept critical comparisons of culture and lifestyle – you might be able to learn something...