Living abroad is a roller-coaster of emotions, particularly becoming comfortable in a completely new climate. Enjoying that time in a new environment with new people and experiences is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Unfortunately, many people choose to move home after living abroad due to unforeseen circumstances.
There is a reverse culture shock: the disorientating feeling of being a foreigner in your homeland. You can reduce the effects of a reverse culture shock by preparing for re-entry while still in your host country and following up with some practical steps once you’re home.
The first few weeks back can feel like a typical home leave. Days may pass in a whirlwind of visiting, shopping, and fighting jet-lag. Once the excitement of being home recedes and the steady stream of well-wishers reduces, the symptoms of culture shock suddenly appear. At this stage you may notice differences between the idealised home of memory and the not-so-ideal real life you’re actually living.
Focus on getting your house ready to be able to create a home. Filling it with your possessions is one of the first steps in making you and your family feel settled in the home culture. It signals that you’re putting down roots.
However, setting up a new home is an overwhelming job that can drag on for weeks or longer. There are some things that can help:
- Hanging up family photos early in the relocation process
- Having visitors and engaging in hobbies soon after moving
How to reintegrate into your home culture
- Don’t rush. Allow some time before getting back into a job search, especially if you were on a career hiatus whilst living abroad. Depending on your career hiatus, you may need retraining, career counselling or job search support.
- Keep well. The stress of coming back home can take a toll on your family’s wellbeing. Maintaining healthy habits such as eating properly, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly are especially critical at this time.
- Help the little ones. Moving back home is a tough process especially for kids. Establishing routines early in the process is particularly important for young children. Think about having a chat with teachers about your child’s history abroad. Ensure that they understand the issues that the kids might be having after moving back home including the adjustments to being back in their home country. A few weeks later, you may want to follow up to ensure the message has got through. Also use the time to make sure that your children are coping well in their new school.
- Engage yourself with your home country. If you’re not feeling as “at home” as you thought you would, get out into the community and see what transpires. Encourage everyone in your family to choose an activity or hobby that connects them to your home culture in some way. Make sure you and your family make time for fun.
Maintaining ties with your former host culture
Just because no one wants to hear about your life abroad doesn’t mean that you have to remove all traces of it from your memory. Embracing your overseas experience adds richness to your life and it’s easily done:
- Stay connected. Eating food, watching movies, celebrating festivals, listening to music and most important of all, socializing with people from the host culture helps keep it relevant.
- Keep learning. Continuing to study the local language or engaging in another activity that reflects your host culture will keep that association alive.
- Keep in contact. Make the effort to stay in touch with the friends you left behind as it will strengthen the relationships and reinforces happy memories of your life abroad.
It’s a common assumption that moving home after living abroad will be the smoothest of transitions. However, the reality is painfully different, with more unexpected consequences than a transition into the unfamiliar. This reverse culture shock is all the more devastating because no one sees it coming. It is important to note that the longer you’re away, the more difficult the re-adjustment process will be. Many can become homesick for their host country. Hopefully, this guide will help you in moving back to your home country.