GIF- Reverse Culture Shock: 10 Tips to Help Students Face Re-Entry Challenges

Dr. Silia Passeri

Four months have passed since our students left the States. Time flew by and it is already finals week, just a few more days and it will be time to head home! This has been a great opportunity for self-discovery, to go out, see the world, and become a student of life. All of them to a greater or a lesser degree have immersed themselves in the Italian culture. All students expect to be surprised by the cultures they visit, but very few expect the challenges that they may encounter when returning home. Just like expatriation, repatriation requires a psychological adjustment that may be unexpected and daunting.

Most students are now excited to return home, to see family and friends, to bring presents, to show pictures and to eat at their favorite restaurant. This initial desire eventually wears off, and that’s when students may find themselves feeling out of place in their own culture. This experience is called reverse culture shock; it is often the most difficult part of study abroad.

Here are the top ten tips for you (as parents) to help students face re-entry challenges:

1. Boredom – Once they return to their family, friends and old routines, students may find that the newness and stimulation they experienced abroad can make their old life seem dull in comparison. It is a natural reaction to miss the excitement and challenges of travelling almost every weekend, help students find ways to overcome these negative feelings, for example encourage them to plan trips to places they have not yet seen in their home country.
2. Stories – One thing students must be mindful of upon their return is that no one is as interested in hearing their stories as they are in sharing them. Ask them questions and engage in conversation with them. Also, share with them what you’ve been doing while they have been away.
3. Explaining Their Experiences – It is likely going to be frustrating for students to find words to explain all their feelings and experiences coherently. Be patient and understanding.
4. Reverse Homesickness – As they may have experienced feelings of loss upon their arrival in Italy, so they may experience the same feelings upon their return home. These are natural results of time spent abroad.
5. Changed Relationships – In order to prepare for inevitable changes in relationships with some friends and relatives, they must remember to be flexible, keep an open mind and remain optimistic.
6. Misinterpreted Changes – Some students may be upset when others point out small differences in their behavior or ideas. Remind them that change is a healthy reaction to significant new experiences.
7. Misunderstandings – Sometimes people may misunderstand students’ words or actions and this can make communication difficult. Just as hugging a friend is seen as strange in the Italian culture, kissing a friend on the cheek to say hello or goodbye will be perceived as awkward in the States. Help them pay attention to how their words and behavior might be understood.
8. Feelings of Alienation – Once students return to the States, sometimes the mental images they had of home do not correspond with the reality of being there again. They might find themselves being critical or feeling alienated. These are natural reactions, but remind them to keep criticism to themselves until they have regained their cultural balance.
9. Difficulty in Applying New Knowledge and Skills – Many find upon their return that it can be difficult to apply the knowledge and skills learned while abroad. Remind them to adjust to reality as necessary, to change what they can, to be patient and creative. Suggest using the cross-cultural adjustment skills they acquired in Italy while adapting to the “newness” of their former life.
10. Loss of Experience – Returnees often worry that they will lose the experiences that they had abroad. Encourage them to maintain contact with people who have had shared experiences. Tell them to practice all their new skills and to remember fondly the hard work and fun they had while abroad.

Although it may take time, the good news is, students will begin a gradual adjustment towards feeling comfortable with where they come from and who they are. It is a moment of transition that can turn into a great learning experience. Help them maintain an international perspective, a special skill not to take for granted.