Reverse Culture Shock

When you return to Australia after your exchange you may experience what is known as reverse culture shock. In this section we will explain exactly what reverse culture shock is and how to effectively deal with any difficulties you may encounter when trying to re-adapt to the Australian way of life.

The experience of living and studying overseas can cause many students to re-examine their priorities, their values, and what they think of themselves and Australia . The subsequent change in priorities, values and attitudes can result in the person experiencing "reverse culture shock" when attempting to integrate back into their life in Australian. In many cases this "reverse culture shock" may be more difficult than the "culture shock" they may have felt when attempting to adjust to their host country culture.

Just as culture shock can differ greatly from person to person, reverse culture shock is just as personal of an experience. Upon return to Australia , you may find many things are different from how you left them. You may be more critical of Australia , while you now view your host country in a more favourable light. From language adjustments to depression to a simple trip to the supermarket, reverse culture shock can hit you in more ways than you would expect.

Defining Reverse Culture Shock

So what is reverse culture shock? First, let's examine the process of re-entry. There are usually two elements that characterize an exchange student's re-entry into their life in Australia :

1. An idealized view of home
2. The expectation of total familiarity (that nothing at home has changed while you have been away)

Often students expect to be able to pick up exactly where they left off. A problem arises when reality doesn't meet these expectations. Home may fall short of what you had envisioned, and things may have changed at home: your friends and family have their own lives, and things have happened since you've been gone. This is part of why home may feel so foreign.

Feelings You May Experience

The inconsistency between expectations and reality, plus the lack of interest on the part of family and friends (nobody seems to really care about all of your "when I was overseas" stories) may result in: frustration, feelings of alienation, and mutual misunderstandings between exchange students and their friends and family. Of course, the difficulty of readjustment will vary for different individuals, but, in general, the better integrated you have become to your host country's culture and lifestyle, the harder it can be to readjust during re-entry. This is where reverse culture shock (sometimes called re-entry shock) comes in to play.

Stages of Reverse Culture Shock

Reverse culture shock is usually described in four stages:

1. Disengagement
2. Initial euphoria
3. Irritability and hostility
4. Readjustment and adaptation

Stage 1 begins before you leave your host country. You begin thinking about re-entry and making your preparations for your return home. You also begin to realise that it's time to say good-bye to your new friends and to the place you've come to call home. The hustle and bustle of final exams, good-bye parties, and packing can intensify your feelings of sadness and frustration. You already miss the friends you've made, and you are reluctant to leave. Or, you may make your last few days fly by so fast that you don't have time to reflect on your emotions and experiences.

Stage 2 usually begins shortly before departure, and it is characterised by feelings of excitement and anticipation - even euphoria - about returning home. This is very similar to the initial feelings of fascination and excitement you may have had when you first entered your host country. You may be very happy to see your family and friends again, and they will also be happy to see you. The length of this stage varies, and often ends with the perception that most people are not as interested in your experiences overseas as you had hoped. It might help to remember that, while your friends and family will enjoy hearing about your exchange, they did not experience it personally and therefore cannot relate to each situation the way you can. This can feel frustrating - even disappointing - and you might feel for a time like no one understands you. They will politely listen to your stories for a while, but you may feel that soon they are ready to move on to the next topic of conversation.

This is often one of the transitions to Stage 3 . You may experience feelings of frustration, anger, alienation, loneliness, disorientation, and helplessness and not understand exactly why. You might quickly become irritated or critical of others and of Australian culture. Depression, feeling like a stranger at home and the longing to go back overseas are also not uncommon reactions. You may also feel less independent than you were while abroad.

Most people are then able to move onto Stage 4 , which is a gradual readjustment to life at home. Things will start to seem a little more normal again, and you will probably fall back into some old routines, but things won't be exactly the same as how you left them. You have most likely developed new attitudes, beliefs, habits, as well as personal and professional goals, and you will see things differently now. The important thing is to try to incorporate the positive aspects of your international experience while overseas with the positive aspects of your life at home in Australia .

Past Exchange Student's Tips for Overcoming Reverse Culture Shock

I once again recommend keeping busy, VERY BUSY. I got home on the Friday, and started university and work the coming Monday so I was extremely busy once I did get home. Still that weekend was very depressing. I also found myself a little withdrawn from life around me as you reflect on the past 6/12 months you just spent away. But of course with a little time the feeling of loss disappears and you realise the worth you have from the short time away from home.