“As I am sure you are aware, when you first came to the UK there were many things to which you had to adjust.  British culture is different from your home culture - for some internationals it is completely different!  It was probably a stressful time as you got used to how we queue, buy train tickets, greet one another, and so on!  That may not have come as a surprise, since it is well known that entering a new culture and country can be stressful. 

But what about re-entering one’s own culture?  Could that be just as stressful?  It can be!  For many international students this comes as a big surprise.  What could be stressful about going back home? Surely it will all be so familiar?  Time and again experience has shown otherwise.  Re-entering one’s own culture after having been in another country is often even more stressful and can become unmanageable, if you are not prepared for the return home.  During your time abroad you will have changed in many ways: perhaps attitudes, how to dress, the food you eat, people you spend your time with, the way you spend your day... Back at home things may not have changed at all - or they may have changed a lot.  Either way family, friends and colleagues will certainly not know what to expect as you return; they may have certain expectations of you that you had not accounted for (and vice versa!).” 

The text is the introduction to a workbook called Think Home.  It is designed to help you think through the realities of reverse culture shock.  Once a semester we organize a Think Home evening or day.  During which we begin to work through the issues you will face back home.  If you would like to attend one of these evenings please contact Kerry Fee by e-mail for more information.