Pre-Departure Links
What is Reverse Culture Shock?
Reverse culture shock, or re-entry, is simply a common reaction to returning home from studying
abroad. It is an emotional and psychological stage of re-adjustment, similar to your initial
adjustment to living abroad. Symptoms can range from feeling like no one understands you or how
you’ve changed to feeling panicked that you will lose part of your identity if you don’t have an outlet
to pursue new interests that were sparked abroad. Your reactions to re-entry may vary, but common
signs are:
- Restlessness
- Rootlessness
- Boredom
- Depression
- Uncertainty
- Confusion
- Isolation
- Wanting to be alone
- “Reverse homesickness”
This process will be similar to the culture shock you may have experienced when you first went abroad, only in reverse. Just as it took time to adjust to a different culture when you arrived there, it may take some time to re-adjust to home.
The coping skills and strategies that were successful in helping you to adjust to your host culture will be just as helpful coming home:
- Get involved
- Identify a support group of other study abroad students
- Suspend judgment until you understand a situation
- Always, always keep a sense of humor
Articles, books and resources to help you readjust
You're not alone! Use the following resources:
- The University of Iowa provides some very helpful tips for helping to feel at home again.
- Read The Art of Coming Home by Craig Storti, a Peace Corps volunteer, and Strangers at Home: Essays on the Effects of Living Overseas and Coming “Home” to a Strange Land, by Carolyn D. Smith.
What kinds of challenges will I face with reverse culture shock?
Office of International Education
