Coming home from an extended period abroad can cause a confusing mixture of feelings, both positive and negative. You probably remember hearing about culture shock at your pre-departure orientation. Most of you probably also remember experiencing it, to one degree or another, while you were abroad. What you may not have been prepared for is the re-entry shock of coming home. Just as with culture shock, re-entry shock encompasses a wide range of feelings and responses, from mild frustration or fatigue to feelings of alienation and depression.
Everyone's experience is different, but some aspects of re-entry shock typically mentioned by students are listed below.
Reasons for Re-entry Shock:
I. Realities vs. expectations While abroad, many students combat homesickness and culture shock with thoughts of how terrific things will be once they return home. When the return home doesn't meet those expectations, it can make adjustment harder.
II. Personal changes and growth Most students returning from an overseas experience feel that they've learned a lot, grown as a person, acquired new attitudes and knowledge, etc. Many students come back to the same old thing at home and find that friends, family, and school don't recognize or appreciate the new you.
III. Becoming ordinary As international students, many returnees got used to being automatically considered interesting, asked for their opinion as the American, or invited to interesting events, simply because of their status as a foreigner. Students also typically spent their free time doing exciting things (taking weekend trips to other countries, going to festivals and other cultural events, etc.) Coming back to the U.S. and returning to ordinary life and no longer being considered unusual can contribute to feelings of isolation and depression.
IV. Isolation from changes at home Many returnees find that it's hard to keep up with changes with friends, family, and pop culture (music, tv, fashion) that took place while they were overseas. While you're excited about and want to share your experiences from abroad, people here may not seem very interested or are more interested in sharing what you missed with you.
Symptoms of Re-entry Shock
Re-entry shock symptoms can be very similar to those of culture shock, and will also vary tremendously in specifics and in intensity from person to person. There is no standard reaction -- your experience, whatever it is, is normal! Some common symptoms are: disruptions in sleeping or eating habits; fatigue; irritation; problems with concentration (mentally wandering abroad); feelings of isolation; and depression.
Ways to Combat Re-entry Shock
Getting over re-entry shock is a balancing act. On the one hand, you don't want to devalue your experience abroad; on the other hand, you need to find ways to fit back into your life in the U.S.
There are many ways to integrate your experience abroad with your life here. Think about some of the ways that you got over culture shock while you were abroad; becoming involved with activities, forming a routine, trying to interact with host-country, international, and other U.S. students. These can also be very helpful ways to get over re-entry shock. On the following links, you'll find suggestions for ways to continue your international experience here at NC State, as well as suggestions for possible additional experiences abroad.
Whatever route you choose to follow, one way to ensure a successful re-entry is to find a peer group. Your fellow returnees are one of your best sources of support and of common experience; you're all in the same boat, so remember that you can help each other!
