Reverse Culture Shock and TEFL

What is “Reverse Culture Shock”?

Will I get it?

You might! “Reverse Culture Shock” (RCS) is essentially the same thing as culture shock, but you get RCS when you move back home.

Culture shock when I move home?! What?

Yeah!

When you move back home after a period overseas you will have a lot of idealized expectations about how it was, how you remembered it, how things worked so much better and how things will go. And often things aren’t exactly as you remembered.

You will, just like regular culture shock, have feelings of elation, disappointment, and even anger and depression.

Research says . . .

Some literature indicates that the more and better you adapted to your new country overseas, accepted and lived in that culture, then the greater your RCS will be when you return home.

When I go home

I have to admit, my home country is not my home anymore. I feel a little odd there and the high speed, high stress life that my relatives and friends live holds little interest to me. In fact, repels me a bit.

Not totally comfortable anywhere?

There is an old saying (please send me the reference if you know from where!) that says basically – that once you have learned to live anywhere, that you don’t feel totally at home anywhere. I tend to agree with that.

Each Country

After you live in a variety of countries, each one leaves you just little more skilled at dealing with cultural and adjustment issues and I think it all becomes easier and easier.

Don’t worry about it. It is just another of life’s challenges.

Ted’s Tips™ #1: Work hard to keep your contacts “back home” so you have a ready mix of friends and employment possibilities when you return.

Ted’s Tips™ #2: Just like when you are abroad if you feel your adjustment is getting a bit out of sorts, get busy: volunteer, get involved in your community. Don’t sit home an mope.

What is Culture Shock?

Will I Get Culture Shock Overseas?

What Should I do about it?

Yes, you’ll probably get it. But “shock” is a bit of an overstatement.

You can expect to feel euphoric – I finally made it!,

Angry – Why can’t I make things work, like back home!,

Depressed and disappointed – Everything isn’t exactly like I wanted and expected it to be!,

And isolated – I don’t really know anyone here.

That’s okay, these feelings are normal. After all this is a very big time in your life and of course you will have some strong feelings about it!

Natural Reactions

These emotional reactions are all natural responses to the situation you will find yourself in when you are first abroad.

How to deal with it?

Get busy! Personal projects, work, travel, making friends, even volunteering can help you feel better.

But, also take a little time and just recognize the feelings for what they are.

One of the best articles about dealing with Culture Shock is at About.com Culture Shock

When you experience problems abroad, don’t forget that you can have problems with your job, boss, landlord, and friends back home too. Don’t blame it all on your host country.

Know that once you have lived in several countries, the effects of culture shock diminish as you learn to have more realistic expectations, and as you just naturally learn how to deal with it.

Surviving Uncertainty

Part of the issue with culture shock is also the uncertainty of your new situation, how it is going to evolve and your general feelings about it.

Follow the same course of treatment for culture shock. Quit moping around the house and get busy.

Check the chart below for a better understanding of what goes on and your choices:

Ted’s Tips™ #1: It is important to realize that you are responsible for yourself and your feelings. Pay attention to your feelings and take action if you find that your mental health status is not exactly as you would like it to be.

Ted’s Tips™ #2: Get busy in your new community. Get involved. It can make a big difference in your adaptation to a new setting.