Reverse culture shock
 

Hi all.
So I will be returning home for a short holiday in the coming summer.
However, this will be my first time home in 2 years (2 and a half by the time I return). Where as I do want to go back to see my family, friends and all the things I miss about home and England but when I think about it, I think it will difficult to adjust back.

Does anyone have any tips or ideas on how to cope with reverse culture shock?

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Hi Sobek,

Culture shock is actually the second stage of adapting to a new culture. The first stage is the 'honeymoon' period where everything seems new and interesting. Most people don't reach the second stage on a short holiday.

So if your reverse culture shock works like forward culture shock, you should be okay.

More info: The Stages of Culture Shock

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Thanks.
I think because I've lived in China for 2 years, I've grown accustomed to hearing Chinese everywhere and being a minority, going back to England and hearing English everywhere I go will be a little foreign to me.

I will only go back to England for perhaps a month so it might not be too bad.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

I remember thinking the same thing after being in Turkey for a year, but in the end I got used to London again very quickly and I hardly noticed. Being surrounded by loved ones helps.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Decided that the first thing I will probably do when I'm back is camping...miss the countryside.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

I remember returning to Canada after a year in Spain...I hating being able to understand everyone. I took for granted that in Spain I could just shut off in the metro and not undertand anyone. It was frustrating to hear people talking about things (especially private things) and knowing what they were saying.

I also felt like my city had changed...I was so used to the architecture in Spain that when I got back to Calgary the buildings seemed so new and cold.

I was home for a month though so if you are having a mini holiday you should be ok.

I think the best thing to do is to realize that it wont be the same. Especially people. Your friends or family probably will not be exactly the same as when you left. This threw me a little when I went home.

Just try to be open minded (like you are going somewhere new) and don't be surprised if you don't enjoy the same aspects of England that you did before.

Cheers,
Diana

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Thanks. I know there will be some things I will be glad to get away from for a while (being the center of attention no matter where I go or what I do).
Although I will miss my students. I want to take some (some being 15 or more) of my girl students back with me.

Haha it really does feel like I will be going some where new.

Only wish there was a holiday around christmas time.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

There will be small adjustments, but Diana is largely correct: Much will have remained the same.

One month is perfect, though. It gives you the chance to catch up on all the things you loved to do, but can't do in China. Yet one month isn't long enough for all things that annoyed you and sent you away to get under your skin.

Enjoy the month back home and on vacation!

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Yeh...I'm already thinking of things to do such as camping/hiking (havent done this for 3 years now and will probably be the first thing I do) as well as eat alot of food that I've missed for the past 2 years.

Just hope the weather is good this year. I heard last year summer was pretty awful.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Watch your language!
You might have unconsciously caught some relatively strange language structures here. They will sound strange to your friends and family. You will probably find people giving you weird looks as you speak.
It happened to me.
Good luck.

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

This is an excerpt from a book...

Article_ReverseCultureShock

Re: Reverse culture shock
 

Good one there.
Well written.