Surviving Cross-Cultural Re-entry
by Stacey Woody Thebodo
Assistant Director of Off-Campus Study at Middlebury College
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
--T.S. Eliot
When you return from studying abroad, it is very common to experience what is known as "re-entry." You may have heard it referred to as re-entry culture shock, or return culture shock. Regardless of the name, coming home from study abroad can be a challenging and difficult time, and it can also be the time when you learn the most from your cross-cultural experience. As you re-adjust to the culture of the United States and to the culture of your college campus, it may be helpful to know a little more about what you are going through and some positive ways of dealing with it (please see Abroad View's re-entry resources).
What is re-entry?
Re-entry can be defined as the often unexpected and sometimes difficult experience of re-adjusting to life in one's home culture after living abroad. Some study abroad returnees do not find re-entry to be difficult; however, most returnees experience some degree of stress upon returning home. In fact, for many students the process of re-adapting to home after study abroad is even more difficult than adjusting to your host culture! Re-entry is different for everyone, just as your experience abroad was unique and special. However, there are some common re-adjustment issues that study abroad students report:
Personal Growth and Change—You may have experienced a challenge to your beliefs, convictions, values and world view while you were immersed in a different culture. You may have also experienced more academic freedom and personal independence while abroad. You may feel that you have matured and become more self-confident. You have undoubtedly changed in many ways. One of the greatest challenges of re-entry is having to adjust your "new" self to your "old" home. It is very common for returnees to experience loss of identity during this time.
New Knowledge and Skills—Just as your attitudes changed while you were abroad, you probably developed new knowledge, skills, and behavior patterns. For example, you probably developed competencies that helped you survive in your everyday life overseas, such as learning to find your way around a new city, to act in a culturally appropriate manner, and to converse about new subjects, and of course, foreign language skills. Other new competencies may include new knowledge about your major, new research skills, and new problem-solving skills. Some returnees feel frustrated if they feel these skills are of little use once they return home.
Relationships with Family and Friends—Some study abroad returnees say the most difficult issue to deal with when they return home is relationships with family and friends. It is important to realize that other people did not stay the same while you were gone (or in some cases they did not change). Also, all of your changes will undoubtedly affect your family and friends. Many returnees describe feelings of alienation, and some say they feel pressure from family and friends to revert back to the person they were before study abroad. Perhaps the most difficult, and most common, aspect of this issue is telling others about the overseas experience. Many returnees find that beyond polite inquiries and general questions such as, "So how was Australia?" their friends and family do not seem to be very interested in hearing about their experiences.
How does one cope with re-entry?
There are many positive ways of coping with re-entry. The process of re-adjustment can take weeks or months, and it is very important to give yourself time to cope with the experience. Perhaps the most vital coping strategy is to recognize that what you are going through is normal and very, very common. Expect a period of stress, and know that re-entry is a natural part of the re-adjustment process. The following are coping strategies suggested by study abroad returnees:
Talk with people who understand your situation. The staff members of your college's Study Abroad Office have spent time abroad and would enjoy hearing about your experiences, and often they can help put you in touch with other returnees. Keep in touch with people from your host country and from your program, too.
Tell others about your study abroad experience. Let your study abroad office know if you would be interested in speaking with prospective study abroad students or helping with pre-departure meetings or other international events. Talking to others who really want to hear about your experience can be a wonderful way to keep your study abroad experience alive.
Write about your cross-cultural learning. Writing will help you interpret your experiences and will advance your thinking forward. Self-empowerment comes from writing in that the more you write, the more opportunity you will have to better understand your host culture, your own culture, and yourself. Write an article for your hometown or college newspaper, or simply keep your own journal of reflections and learning. If you wish you can submit your writing to Abroad View or participate in Abroad View's writing contest. For more information on writing and the study abroad experience, refer to the book Writing Across Culture: An Introduction to Study Abroad and the Writing Process by Kenneth Wagner and Tony Magistrale (New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 1995).
Continue being a multi-cultural person. Seek out situations in which international experiences and perspectives are appreciated. Your study abroad office can tell you about opportunities to get involved in working on international events on campus, for example. Use your international perspective and skills to work on issues in the United States; there are volunteer opportunities right in your college's community. (Also, please see Abroad View's resources on how you can go abroad again through fellowships, working, or volunteering abroad.)
In conclusion, re-entry can be a time of stress, confusion, and tremendous personal growth. As you go through this experience, remember that re-entry is just another phase of cultural adjustment, and just as you adapted to your host culture, you will be able to re-adapt to the United States and to your home campus. Remember to look positively on your re-entry experience, and allow it to help you look at your own culture as if you were discovering it for the first time.