Reentry Issues

Sometimes going home after an extended stay in a new culture can cause some concern as you have changed, your friends and family may have changed or perhaps the state of your country has changed and it may take a little time to re-adjust.

Here are some tips to preparing to return home:

• Prepare for an adjustment process. Look at the areas where you will see there will be differences and prepare for those changes.
  
• Understand that the familiar will seem different. You may have different reactions to particular behaviors or places because your perspective has changed.
  
• There will be much "cultural catching up" to do. It may take some time to catch up on the “local” culture – who is who in music, sports, politics, what has been going on with the community, etc.
  
• Reserve judgments; as you re-adjust to home it can be easy to make snap judgments about things. Take the time to look deeper.
  
• Respond thoughtfully and slowly understand that your behaviors may be altered as well and it may be difficult for your friends and family to understand at first.
  
• Cultivate sensibility; talk to friends and family about what has been going on with them during your absence.
  
• Remain flexible with your adjustment. It may be that your priorities have changed and that some parts that where a part of your life before do not fit as well. It is okay to recognize that and move on.
  
• Seek support networks of faculty, staff, and other students who have experienced living abroad and have experienced some of the same re-adjustment issues that you are having.