As American as Fish and Chips

A guide for students returning from abroad

Welcome Home!

Welcome back to the United States. Without a doubt you are excited to be home, surrounded by your family and friends. I
remember the great sense of relief and joy that filled me when I came back from Spain after a period of hard work and eye-
opening experiences. I had seen beautiful architecture, been immersed in an astonishing culture, and I had met wise and
wonderful people. My understanding of American culture had increased exponentially, and my appreciation for diversity
and tolerance had become deeply entrenched.

My parents pointed out that I seemed to be a more mature, well-rounded person. My friends appreciated my increased
patience and flexibility. My résumé shone with the skills and qualities I had gained. So, I wondered, why did I feel so blue?
I felt out of place, sort of disoriented. I was emotional. I had trouble sleeping. I started picking out the faults of American
culture. I was experiencing reverse culture shock.

Just about every person who returns from studying abroad will experience the ups and downs of reverse culture shock. I
learned that dealing with the complicated emotions of returning home is a process, just like becoming used to the culture of
Spain when I first arrived there. Once I understood the stages of reverse culture shock, and strategies to adjust to life in the
U.S., reintegrating myself in American culture became easier.

Even if you aren’t feeling the disquiet of reentry, you still may be trying to figure out how you can incorporate everything
you’ve learned abroad into your life here. Read on for information on for overcoming the obstacles of reentry shock.

I hope you enjoy this guide. It should give you some ideas on how to have a successful transition back to a life in the U.S.

What Have You Gained from Studying Abroad?

There is a consensus among experts that studying abroad can be one of the most enriching and valuable experiences a
person can have in their life. So, what are some of the skills and qualities you may have gained?

Skills Qualities
• Establish rapport quickly Self-reliance
• Function with a high level of ambiguity
• High energy level/enthusiasm
• Achieve goals despite obstacles Appreciation of diversity
• Take initiative and take risks Perseverance
• Time management skills Flexibility
• Accept responsibility Tolerance
• Communicate despite barriers Assertiveness
• Learn quickly Inquisitiveness
• Handle difficult situations Self-confidence
• Handle stress
• Diplomatic
• Adapt to new environments Independence
• Learn through listening and observing
• Maturity
• Recognize the changes that have occurred within and the new skills you have
• Learned as a result of your study abroad experience.
• These skills will serve you well as you reintegrate into life at your home campus and in your future.
Study abroad can increase your:
o Independence. You had to learn to fend for yourself in a foreign culture and adapt to a new
way of doing things.
o Awareness of International Issues. You have stepped outside the protective comfort of
 home to see that people in the world have concerns that many Americans are not well aware
of. Additionally, you may be better at determining the objectivity of the media.
o Sensitivity to Diversity. Having immersed yourself in a different culture, you have seen
that there are very different ways of doing, thinking, feeling and communicating. This can
help you in relationships with people whose values and customs might be different from
yours, but not any less valid or "normal" than yours.
o Language Competency. If your studies were in a language other than English, most likely
you have greatly increased your proficiency in that language. Language skills will give you
an advantage in the job market.
• One of the goals of study abroad is to train future global leaders to be more effective, respectful of
other cultures and political and economic systems, and willing to take a stand for the world’s
welfare, not just what benefits a specific country. You now have the foundation to become one of
the future global leaders.
Defining Reverse Culture Shock (RCS)
So, now that you know what you’ve gained, it’s important to understand the rest of the process of
returning home. There are several interpretations of Reverse Culture Shock (RCS), and different people
experience RCS to different degrees.

Several definitions include:

1. “Reverse culture shock is the process of readjusting, reacculturating, and reassimilating into one’s
own home culture after living in a different culture for a significant period of time” (Kevin F. Gaw,
University of Nevada).
2. Reverse culture shock has been described as the “unexpected confrontation with the familiar,” or
“deculturation.”
3. “Reverse culture shock results from the psychological and psychosomatic consequences of the
readjustment process to the primary culture” (Jennifer Huff, Journal of Psychology and Theology).
4. “Reentry shock, or reverse culture shock, is losing the signs and symbols of social intercourse during
the transition into one’s home culture after living and working in another culture” (Mary Margaret
Wang, Improving Intercultural Interactions).

So, What Does All this Mean for You?

RCS is something every study abroad returnee (someone who has returned from studying abroad) may
experience to some degree. So, if you feel a little out of place, you are not alone. Many people
experience a wide variety of personal and interpersonal concerns when they return from living abroad.
Stay positive! It will not last forever.

Here’s a list of some of the most common problems:

• Depression
• Loneliness and isolation
• Feelings of inferiority
• Alienation
• Anxiety
• Shyness
• Trouble making friends
• Relationship problems
• Sexual problems
• Personal/ethic dilemmas
• Academic performance difficulties
• Insomnia

If you are experiencing something that isn’t on the list, don’t panic. Your feelings are most likely very
normal. (List taken from “Reverse Culture Shock in Students Returning from Overseas,” by Kevin F.
Gaw.)

For Those Visual Learners Out There

When coping with RCS, you might want to keep in mind that you are going through a process, with
steps and stages that everyone goes through at some point.

Here is chart you can refer to if you are wondering where you are in the adjustment process, and know
that there’s no place to go but up:

QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Top Nine Immediate Reentry Obstacles
There are many reasons to look forward to going home, but there are also a number of psychological,
social, and cultural aspects which can seem difficult, often because they are unanticipated. The
following list was generated by students who have returned from studying abroad and have
successfully readjusted.

1. Boredom
After all the newness and stimulation of your time abroad, a return to family, friends, and old routines
(however nice and comforting) can seem very dull. It is natural to miss the excitement and challenges
which characterize study in a foreign country, but it is up to you to find ways to overcome such a
negative reaction—remember, a bored person is also boring.

2. “No One Wants to Hear”

One thing you can count on upon your return: no one will be as interested in hearing about your
adventures and triumphs as you will be in telling them about those experiences. Be realistic in your
expectations of how fascinating your journey is going to be for everyone else.
"A couple friends of mine got really mad at me when I came back because I always talked about
studying abroad. They just didn't understand." -Lindsay Leguillon, Austria

3. You Can’t Explain

Even when given a chance to explain all the sights you saw and feelings you had while studying
abroad, it is likely to be at least a bit frustrating to relay them coherently. It is very difficult to convey
this kind of experience to people who do not have similar frames of reference or travel backgrounds, no
matter how sympathetic they are as listeners.
“I think it’s definitely hard to explain to people who haven’t had that kind of experience. They just
don’t understand, and you can’t explain it so that they do.”- Joel Barber, New Zealand

4. Reverse “Home” Sickness

Just as you probably missed home for a time after leaving the United States, it is just as natural to
experience some “reverse” home sickness for the people, places, and things that you grew accustomed
to as a student overseas. To an extent it can be reduced by writing letters, telephoning, and generally
keeping in contact. “I would catch a whiff of garlic, or olive oil coming from a restaurant, and I would
want to be back in Spain so bad I felt like crying.” –Libby Schreffler, Spain

5. Relationships Have Changed

It is inevitable that when you return you will notice that some relationships with friends and family
will have changed. Just as you have altered some of your ideas and attitudes while abroad, the people at
home will have experienced some changes. These changes may be positive or negative, but expecting
that no change will have occurred is unrealistic. The best preparation is flexibility, openness, minimal
preconceptions, and tempered optimism. “I lost my two best friends from studying abroad. I like the
changes in myself, but my friends couldn’t handle the new me.”-Abby Rosekelly, England

6. People Misunderstand
Sometimes people may concentrate on small alterations in your behavior or ideas and seem threatened
or upset by them. This phase normally passes quickly if you do nothing to confirm their stereotypes. A
few people will misunderstand your words or actions in such a way that communication is difficult. For
example, what you may have come to think of as humor (particularly sarcasm, banter, etc.) and a way
to show affection or establish conversation may not be seen as wit, but aggression or “showing off.” Be
aware of how you may look to others and how your behavior is likely to be interpreted.
7. Feelings of Alienation
Sometimes the reality of being back “home” is not as natural or enjoyable as the place you had
constructed as your mental image. When daily life is less enjoyable or more demanding than you
remembered, it is natural to feel some alienation, see faults in the society you never noticed before, or
even become quite critical of everyone and everything for a time. Mental comparisons are fine, but
keep them to yourself until you regain both your cultural balance and a balanced perspective.
"I went through a real 'America sucks' stage. I hated everything about this country, especially how
close-minded everyone was."-Katie Illausky, France

8. Inability to Apply New Knowledge and Skills

Many returnees are frustrated by the lack of opportunity to apply newly gained social, linguistic, and
practical coping skills that appear to be unnecessary or irrelevant. To avoid ongoing annoyance: adjust
to reality as necessary, change what is possible, seek new opportunities, be creative, be patient and, in
particular, use all of the cross-cultural adjustment skills you acquired abroad to assist your own reentry.

9. “Shoe-boxing” the Experience

Being home, coupled with the pressures of job, family, and friends, often make returnees worried that
they somehow will “lose” the experience; somehow becoming compartmentalized like souvenirs or
photo albums kept in box and only occasionally taken out and looked at. You do not have to let that
happen. Maintain your contacts. Talk to people who have shared experiences similar to yours. Practice
your skills. Remember and honor both your hard work and the fun you had while abroad.
“When I got back it felt like Australia was so far away, and it had just been a dream that would never
happen again.”-Katie Finnegan, Australia (Written by Dr. Bruce LaBrack)

Coping Strategies
Now that you know what may be making you feel out of sorts, here’s how you might readjust.
Remember, time cures all ails. Be strong, be patient, and know that you will be a better person because
of the personal growth you are experiencing.

1. Take it easy, take it slow.

• If possible, give yourself a few months, or at least weeks, before beginning to hunt for jobs or apply
to schools. After all, there are physical adjustments to be made: recovering from jet lag, becoming
accustomed to the diet and climate, in addition to the psychological adjustments.
• Don’t be afraid to make use of family members or friends who can come between you and less
understanding individuals when you need them to do so.
• Ask questions when you don’t understand what’s going on.
• Avail yourself of professional services.

2. Find people to talk to.

• Other people who have had international experiences in the same country with the same
organization are the best possibilities. Anyone with international experience is a possibility.
• Look for like-minded people among those who work or otherwise spend time with international
students or immigrants in your country.
• Volunteer your talents.
• Find people with similar interests. Get comfortable with a small group of people who share your
interest in music or an activity. Join a sports team.
3. Remind yourself that this, too, is a cross-cultural experience.
• When the going gets tough, try to see your home culture as a “foreign culture” to be studied. Do the
things that you did to become acculturated in the host country, such as watch TV.
• Also, remind others that this is a cross-cultural experience for you and you need help interpreting
some of the signs and symbols around you. Be frank about what you don’t understand and why.

4. Be conscious that you have choices.

• Decide what values from the foreign culture are most important to hold on to, and consider how
those values can be integrated practically with those of the home culture.

Understand that the ball is in your court. Your cross-cultural experience will be in your mind, in one
way or another, for the rest of your life. If you feel that your talents aren’t being put to good use,
especially those talents you gained while away, give some thought to how you can help your
employers/teachers understand how they can better use your special skills.

In Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the great benefits of studying abroad, and the
complicated emotions that you may feel upon returning home. Remember, every cloud has a silver
lining: and this particular cloud’s lining is huge. You are a stronger person, probably more aware of
your inner-self. You have gained skills and qualities that may even put you at an advantage over those
who have never studied abroad. You are a more mature, well-rounded adult, and the sky is the limit.
Don’t be afraid to explore your emotions, using this guide to understand the source of your disquiet.
Twelve Tips for Welcoming Returnees Home
1. Understand that "reverse culture shock" is a real possibility and learn to recognize its symptoms so
you can offer appropriate support to the returnees.
2. Realize that returning home is often not a predictable process and can be more stressful than either
the returnee or you anticipate. Be prepared to offer support long-distance as s/he anticipates coming
home and especially after his or her return.
3. Understand that most returnees are, in some ways, different than they were before they left home.
They may initially seem to be "strangers." It is hard to know what their experiences have meant to them
and how they have changed. It may be necessary to "renegotiate" your relationship with returnees, but
your history together will provide a basis for this process.
4. Be aware of your own expectations of the returnees. You may wish that they would just "fit back in"
but it is more helpful if you avoid forcing the returnees into old roles and relationships. Allow them
space and time to readjust and reconnect.
5. Be conscious of all those things that have changed at home. Help returnees to understand what has
taken place both in the society and among friends and family. Even if they have heard about these
events, the impact at home may not have been obvious. You have much to tell them and they can tell
you how events at home looked from their overseas location.
6. Avoid criticism, sarcasm, or mockery for seemingly odd patterns of behavior, speech, or new
attitudes.
7. Create opportunities for the returnees to express their opinions, tell their stories, and show their
pictures. Listen carefully and try to understand the significance of their overseas experiences. Seek to
know what is important to them.
8. Acknowledge that all returnees experience some sense of loss. Strange as it may seem to others,
returnees often grieve for what they have left behind. They may be missing overseas friends, a
stimulating environment, the feeling of being special, experiencing greater freedoms or responsibilities,
or special privileges.
9. Encourage the returnees to maintain personal and professional contacts with friends and institutions
in the former host country(s). They will regret it if they do not.
10. Offer to mark and celebrate the return of your friend, sibling, or child. Discuss his or her preference
for how and when to do so. Be careful of "surprise" parties.
11. Expect some critical comparisons of culture and lifestyle. Keep your responses neutral. It can
increase your chances to learn something important about the returnees and how their world view has
changed. Don't take their comments personally.
12. Make contact with people who have successfully gone through the experience of returning home
and refer the returnee to them—it may help both you and the returnee through a difficult period of
readaptation.

© 2001 Adapted by Bruce La Brack and Margaret D. Pusch from a handout originally created by Dr.
Peter Stadler, Solothurn, Switzerland, for distribution at the SIETAR Congress, Munich, Germany,
1996.