Bracing Yourself for Re-entry Shock: Examining the Stages of Reverse Culture Shock

Stage 1: Disengagement

While you're still abroad, you start to think about returning to the U.S. You think about leaving the new home you've made for yourself and saying goodbye not only to your friends, but also the place you now call home. You may even start to feel anxious about the transition. The stress of finals, goodbye parties, and packing can make you feel sad and frustrated. You haven't even left and you already miss the friends you've made and are starting to feel reluctant about leaving.

Stage 2: Euphoria

You're excited to be home, your parents and siblings are excited that you've returned, and your friends can't wait to see you. Everyone is so excited to have you back " the phone calls and social plans can get overwhelming! People say how nice it is that you're home and ask about your abroad experience, which you can't help talking about, but it's not long before they're obviously no longer paying attention and are interested in something else (usually talking about themselves).

Stage 3: Alienation

The thrill of being home or back at school has worn off. You feel alienated, frustrated, and maybe even a little angry. Everything may seem different from how you remember it. You find yourself getting easily irritated and impatient with others " your friends and family don't seem to have grown as much as you have. You grow frustrated with yourself and the struggle you're having readjusting. You may feel lonely, resentful, helpless, "out of it," or sad (all these feelings are normal!).

Stage 4: Gradual readjustment

You start to readjust to life at home. You get your "groove" back. You're used to U.S. traffic patterns and having a million cable channels at your fingertips once again. You're biting your tongue when you want to make a comment about how things in your abroad country were better. Your study abroad experience is becoming an integrated part of your life.