Reverse culture shock

When studying  abroad or moving to work in a different country, everyone talks about culture shock. They are aware that they should expect new lifestyle, because they will see and adopt new habits they’ve never dreamed of. But people do it for some experience, they are excited, so it is easier to accept things. However people don’t realize that there is a phenomenon called reverse culture shock as well.

I think that coming back home is a lot more harsh. I remember that especially the first time it was rough. I guess it is knowledge and personal growth which makes coming home so difficult. We change radically and everyone remains the same, at least in our eyes. We are full or our adventures, experience, we still live in our dreams and the reality just doesn’t seem right. We crave something more and want to go back as soon as possible, because it is impossible to be here.

It is not true, of course, but it takes long time to get used to everything again. It took me about two years to accept the idea of settling down in Czech. In between there was a lot of pain, sadness, uncertainty. There is a way to fight it and to be ready for it... Now I am used to going back home and I love it! My hometown is gorgeous, my family and friends are lovely and beer is the best.

My tips at the moment sound like this: it is good to know that reverse culture shock happens. Embrace it, eventhough not everyone might understand what you’re going through, there are definitely a lot of people who‘ve studied or worked abroad and know the feeling. You can always travel again – to see your friends or just for fun or get more experience abroad in the future. You can also meet tourists or foreigners in your country, so that’s a way how to surround yourself with this mystique atmosphere. I guess these are just a few general tips, nevertheless I hope they help. And I shouldn’t forget... It is also time to discover the awesome traits of your home country. Of course, every country has it’s perks.

This time, it is not hard for me to come back. Why? I guess it is because I can appreciate a lot more what and whom I have here. Despite the fact, that living elsewhere helps you figure out who you are and changing your habits, there are still so many amazing things back home. Just have to look for them.