If your first time leaving your home country was for a study abroad program, you likely heard warnings of something called ‘reverse culture shock’ waiting for you upon your return. Don’t be fooled into thinking it won’t happen to you. Reverse culture shock will sneak up before you even know it’s coming.
My first time leaving the United States was for a full semester abroad in Grantham, England. I attended Harlaxton College, a program housed in a Victorian manor two hours north of London.
During my time overseas, I experienced minimal amounts of the typical criteria attributed to ‘culture shock’. I didn’t find myself navigating much of the homesickness and irritability that had been described to me before my departure.
With that said, experiencing only mild culture shock in England made me cocky. I imagined that returning home would be easiest of all. What could be so shocking about the place I knew best?
When I did return home, I found all the symptoms I had previously avoided waiting to greet me. I was tired, often annoyed and very frequently apathetic. At night, I would sometimes lie awake scrolling photos of my past semester. I felt homesick for a place I wasn’t from.
Let Me Be Clear!
You mustn’t mistake these feelings for ungratefulness. I was so thankful to be home, once again having dinner with those I love most. If anything, the symptoms I was experiencing were confusing. I couldn’t understand why I felt so displaced in the country I had lived all my life.
With time, I learned to recognize these feelings as reverse culture shock. I had heard the warnings, both before leaving America and before returning, but hadn’t taken much time to absorb methods of battling it.
There are countless articles on recommended remedies for reverse culture shock, but I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m going to share the one thing that helped me most of all in the hopes that you’ll make it your own.
Living Like You’re Studying Abroad
(In Other Words, Culture Shock Hates Whimsy)
When I was studying abroad, every day was a new adventure. Don’t laugh — certainly, I was visiting new places, seeing new sights and trying new things. But, it wasn’t always the fairy-tale moments that made my days the most magical (or, more importantly, meaningful).
Rather, it was my nightly walks outside, exhausted morning cups of tea and investing time in my friends that were often defining moments of my adventures. I knew I couldn’t bring ancient cathedrals and scenic train rides home with me, but I didn’t realize that leaving behind my fascination with everyday things had been my worst mistake.
It was this realization that began my slow ascent out of the slump reverse culture shock had put me in. During walks to class on my American campus, I gave more focus to the things that otherwise would have thrilled me in the semester prior. Birds, squirrels, loose leaves and funny turns of phrase from a stranger are all eligible in this quest for whimsy.
As someone who had always been known to appreciate the little things, I couldn’t believe I had somehow forgotten to do so. Like I said, I won’t tell you what to do — I don’t know what your little things are or where they lie. But, I hope you keep track of them as you return home for a new adventure.
-Macy
Amazing blog!