When you leave to live and work in another country, it will probably be a big deal not only for you but also for your friends and family. Your loved ones will have no shortage of advice and cautionary tales and you’ll be busy putting your life in a suitcase and making sure your vaccinations are up to date. But oftentimes we overlook that adjusting to a new life works both ways. It’s exciting to venture off into the unknown so much so that your departure date can overshadow your ticket home.
Unless you relocate abroad permanently, there will come a day when it’s time to return to your home country and begin another chapter of your life. And as intimidating as starting your adventure overseas may have seemed, adapting to life at home again can also be a bit overwhelming. It is a common misconception that cultural transitions are a one-way circuit; it’s normal to have a little trouble finding your feet again in the life you left. So let’s talk about how you can cope with this change!
Reverse Culture Shock
Surprising as it may sound, returning to the states or wherever you call home after an extended period of living and working abroad can be almost as shocking as arriving overseas once was. You’ve likely spent months settling into the rhythms of a new place. You’ve met new people, adjusted your diet and grown comfortable with another way of living. If you’ve grown used to the lull of afternoon naps and late night dinners, being thrown back into the fast pace of Western culture can be stressful.
Even though you grew up in it, your worldview will have developed over the past several months and you’ll notice the difference. It’s not uncommon for people to feel a sense of loss upon returning from a long trip. You might miss the people you shared your experience with or become frustrated by the material focus of your home culture. But remember, it took time to adjust to life abroad. Give yourself the same grace period on the other side. Transitions can be rocky but before you know it life will begin to feel normal again.
Your New Normal
Even though you’ll sink back into the daily rituals of what was once familiar, you will not have lost the insight you gained abroad. So while it’s good to readjust, don’t become complacent. Why did you choose to leave home in the first place? You were seeking new experiences and you found them. Integrate what you learned during your time abroad in the way you live every day. You may be back to speaking English at the Taco Bell drive thru, but this doesn’t mean you should revert to your mindset from before you left. Allow your broadened worldview to inform each decision you make.
Avoid the temptation to fall back into the same rut you wanted to escape. If you made changes in your routine for the better while living abroad, there’s no reason you can’t take them home. And if you developed new hobbies or expanded your palate, share these activities and dishes with your friends. If you were making progress learning a language abroad, continue your lessons at home or online. But regardless of the life you re-create, what’s important is that you don’t lose motivation to explore and try new things in any environment.
Utilize Your New Experience
Aside from being an opportunity for personal growth and adventure, living and working abroad strengthens any resume. So, unless you really enjoyed it, don’t come home to the same barista job. Take advantage of your international experience to benefit your career path. Countless employers prioritize diversity and global experience. Market the transferable skills you cultivated overseas. Take care to highlight any second language on your resume and articulate what living abroad taught you if given the opportunity in an interview.
By diversifying your experience, you have set yourself apart from countless interchangeable candidates. So, if possible, do some research before you come home. Look into organizations with an international focus and consider how your skills could be of value to them. There are a variety of relevant options for post international career moves. You might wind up teaching again, or find that your experience abroad prepared you to work for a nonprofit organization or tourism agency, or even go back to school with a better idea of what is important to you.
Don’t Lose Touch
But while you’re rebuilding your new normal, don’t forget to keep in contact with the life you found abroad. You never know who could help you out someday personally or professionally. The friends and contacts you’ve made while living in another country are an incredible asset. Like-minded and adventurous, these are the people to turn to when you’re seeking a career change again or just need a couch to crash on. And maintaining these relationships can be as simple as a phone call, text or Facebook message.
But benefits aside, staying in touch with the friends you made abroad is a constructive way to enrich your personal life. An occasional video call can go a long way in combating reverse homesickness. Whether you’re home for good or saving money in between stints abroad, consciously adapting from one culture to another is vital for your mental health. It’s perfectly normal to feel reminiscent about your life abroad but continue to live in the present. Don’t pine for your time overseas. Instead, use your experience to create a vibrant life wherever you are on the map!