What Is Reverse Culture Shock?

“Reverse Culture Shock” or “Re-Entry” is a term used to describe the cultural crisis and psychological distress that may or may not occur when an individual returns to the home culture and country after living for a prolonged period of time abroad in a foreign culture and country. Reverse Culture Shock (RCS) is a quite common phenomenon and is to an extent considered a normal reaction to the cultural adjustments that must be made when returning back to the home culture.

The signs and symptoms of RCS may include some to all of the following:
Feelings of isolation or alienation; feelings of restlessness or rootlessness; negativity and hostility towards home-culture and/or family and friends; loss of sense of identity; withdrawal; uncertainty and confusion about priorities and future goals; loss of energy and a need for excessive sleep, reverse homesickness and grief over what is lost; depression.

The presence and impact of a RCS depends on at least four major factors: the length of time spent abroad; the degree of diversity of the new culture compared to the home culture; and the number of similar and previous experiences (the first RCS is often the worst); and the personality of the individual.

Many things can be done to prevent and lessen the effect of RCS while living abroad, before return to home culture and after returning to the home culture:

While living abroad:
While still abroad it can useful to keep in touch with key people and to stay up-to-date with home culture.

Before return to home culture:
Discuss re-entry and start arrangements with family, professional replacement and return position well in advance.

Be prepared that re-entry can be a challenging and upsetting experience because:
• You have changed and people at home may have changed too.
• People around you may not be interested in hearing about your experiences.
• You are no longer “special” and the adventure is gone.
• You may have forgotten about all the disagreeable things about home.
• Your job at home waiting for you may not be as exciting, well-paid and rewarding.
• You may begin to question ideas, customs, traditions, and legal matters once you are home that you had no doubts about before.

After return:
• Be respectful to your home culture in the same way you would be respectful to a foreign culture. People rarely like to be challenged about the way they live their lives, and suggestions to change their settled ways may be perceived as offensive and as criticism.
• Try to find other re-entries to share your experiences with.

Many expatriates feel that it is harder to adjust to their own culture after spending time abroad because the RCS is rarely an experience expected and prepared for.

Some personal tips for expatriates preparing to return home include:
• Embrace your new found identity and biculturalism and try to find ways to how it can improve your life situation. See the possibilities and not the limitations.
• Journal your thoughts and emotions.
• Plan your next abroad experience, even if it’s “just” a one-week stay in Mallorca.
• While preparing to go home try to visualize/imagine the controversial situations and conversations that may arise at the workplace or when meeting with friends and family, and then attempt to visualize their solutions so that you can be prepared for these situations.
• See a therapist if you have a hard time adjusting to your home-culture.