Preparing to go home
A Few Quick Tips:
To get ready for your return home start anticipating that re-entry into your home culture could be just as challenging or frustrating as your initial experience adapting to another culture while studying abroad. Dr. Bruce LaBrack explains these unexpected challenges and feelings are due to the misconception that moving back home simply means reestablishing old routines and relationships.
Re-entry actual requires certain, specific social and psychological adjustments that every student should know about in order to ease the transition. The following list is a compilation of advice from other returnees as collected by Dr. LaBrack:
1. Prepare for an adjustment process
Anticipate how the experience of returning home might be different, but also similar to the first few weeks of your study abroad program to make the transition easier.
2. Allow yourself time
Adjusting will take some time and the amount of time will be different for everyone. Try to be patient with yourself, relax and reflect on your experience as well as what might need to change to help with your transition home.
3. Understand that the familiar will seem different
Remember change is inevitable. You, your family and friends will have changed as well as your perspective on people, places and behaviors. You can expect to have some new even strange reactions to things that were once familiar.
4. There will be much "cultural catching up" to do
Pop culture, the latest slang and hot current events (political, social or economic) will be different from before you left to study abroad. Don't be surprised by the "catching up" on your own culture that you'll need to do. Although, it is interesting to note that many returnees said a lot of personal growth and new insights also occurred during their re-entry experience.
5. Reserve judgments
It's important to stay as open minded upon your return home as you were living abroad and learning about a new culture. As some of your ideas and attitudes have changed, you may find yourself starting to judge your home culture from a new perspective. You may find your mood and emotions changing quickly, but you should allow yourself time to reflect on what might be triggering you in these situations before making snap judgments.
6. Respond thoughtfully and slowly
If you aren't aware that you may experience mood swings, boredom or frustration upon returning home you might react more impulsively than you normally would and your family and friends will be even less prepared than you to understand why your behavior has changed. Be prepared to answer those common questions everyone will ask you, but also try to stay calm and think through your answers to unexpected questions or situations.
7. Cultivate sensibility
Time has passed for everyone, so don't forget to ask about what your family and friends experienced during your time overseas. This will help to reestablish your relationships. Many returnees find it frustrating when others seem disinterested in their stories so keep in mind how others might feel the same way if you aren't interested in listening to their stories either.
8. Beware of comparisons
You will naturally start to make comparisons between the two cultures and countries, however, it's important to recognize that being overly critical of one or praising one over the other may irritate or offend others. For the same reasons, try to avoid being the "instant expert" on the culture or country where you spent time abroad.
9. Remain flexible
You might find it difficult to fit back into your old routines and patterns of behavior, however, rejecting these altogether can feel isolating. Look for a balance between maintaining previous behaviors and friends as well as adding new social or intellectual interests into your routines.
10. Seek support networks
Don't forget that you are not alone! There are many other people around you that have experienced similar challenges with their own re-entry transition. Use the resources available at your university or in the community to find others who can offer their support and advice to help with your transition home.
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- As adapted from Dr. Bruce LaBrack. Preparing to Return Home: Quick Tips. School of International Studies, University of the Pacific for use by the Institute of International Education, San Francisco. Aspire Newsletter, Spring 1996.
- Image retrieved from https://blog.compete.com/2012/03/16/new-series-industry-top-movers/
To get ready for your return home start anticipating that re-entry into your home culture could be just as challenging or frustrating as your initial experience adapting to another culture while studying abroad. Dr. Bruce LaBrack explains these unexpected challenges and feelings are due to the misconception that moving back home simply means reestablishing old routines and relationships.
Re-entry actual requires certain, specific social and psychological adjustments that every student should know about in order to ease the transition. The following list is a compilation of advice from other returnees as collected by Dr. LaBrack:
1. Prepare for an adjustment process
Anticipate how the experience of returning home might be different, but also similar to the first few weeks of your study abroad program to make the transition easier.
2. Allow yourself time
Adjusting will take some time and the amount of time will be different for everyone. Try to be patient with yourself, relax and reflect on your experience as well as what might need to change to help with your transition home.
3. Understand that the familiar will seem different
Remember change is inevitable. You, your family and friends will have changed as well as your perspective on people, places and behaviors. You can expect to have some new even strange reactions to things that were once familiar.
4. There will be much "cultural catching up" to do
Pop culture, the latest slang and hot current events (political, social or economic) will be different from before you left to study abroad. Don't be surprised by the "catching up" on your own culture that you'll need to do. Although, it is interesting to note that many returnees said a lot of personal growth and new insights also occurred during their re-entry experience.
5. Reserve judgments
It's important to stay as open minded upon your return home as you were living abroad and learning about a new culture. As some of your ideas and attitudes have changed, you may find yourself starting to judge your home culture from a new perspective. You may find your mood and emotions changing quickly, but you should allow yourself time to reflect on what might be triggering you in these situations before making snap judgments.
6. Respond thoughtfully and slowly
If you aren't aware that you may experience mood swings, boredom or frustration upon returning home you might react more impulsively than you normally would and your family and friends will be even less prepared than you to understand why your behavior has changed. Be prepared to answer those common questions everyone will ask you, but also try to stay calm and think through your answers to unexpected questions or situations.
7. Cultivate sensibility
Time has passed for everyone, so don't forget to ask about what your family and friends experienced during your time overseas. This will help to reestablish your relationships. Many returnees find it frustrating when others seem disinterested in their stories so keep in mind how others might feel the same way if you aren't interested in listening to their stories either.
8. Beware of comparisons
You will naturally start to make comparisons between the two cultures and countries, however, it's important to recognize that being overly critical of one or praising one over the other may irritate or offend others. For the same reasons, try to avoid being the "instant expert" on the culture or country where you spent time abroad.
9. Remain flexible
You might find it difficult to fit back into your old routines and patterns of behavior, however, rejecting these altogether can feel isolating. Look for a balance between maintaining previous behaviors and friends as well as adding new social or intellectual interests into your routines.
10. Seek support networks
Don't forget that you are not alone! There are many other people around you that have experienced similar challenges with their own re-entry transition. Use the resources available at your university or in the community to find others who can offer their support and advice to help with your transition home.
----------
- As adapted from Dr. Bruce LaBrack. Preparing to Return Home: Quick Tips. School of International Studies, University of the Pacific for use by the Institute of International Education, San Francisco. Aspire Newsletter, Spring 1996.
- Image retrieved from https://blog.compete.com/2012/03/16/new-series-industry-top-movers/