Reverse culture shock: what is this and how do you deal with?

Reverse culture shock is the psychological and emotional strain that can be experienced by individuals who return to their home countries after spending a significant amount of time abroad. But what happens when you come back home? That's right, there's such a thing as reverse culture shock, and it can be just as tough to deal with as regular old culture shock.

You know that you'll have to readjust to a lot of things, and it's just all so overwhelming. Welcome to the world of reverse culture shock.

Reverse culture shock is a term used to describe the feeling of disorientation that one experiences when they return to their home country after an extended period of time spent in a foreign country. It's similar to culture shock in the sense that there are many adjustments that need to be made, but it can be even more confusing and chaotic because you're essentially going from one culture to another.  

Symptoms of Reverse Culture Shock 

Reverse culture shock can range in duration from days to months, depending on how long the person was living away from home and how deeply they were immersed in the foreign culture. 

Reverse culture shock among students who just returned from abroad

Reverse culture shock in students returning from overseas is an important phenomenon to consider when discussing international travel. For example, a student who has experienced reverse culture shock in Germany may feel disconnected from their peers in their home country due to the vastly different cultural habits they have adopted while studying abroad. 

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce or even prevent culture shock before it becomes a major issue. It is essential for students to become familiar with the culture and customs of their host country prior to embarking on their journey. Preparing oneself mentally for drastic changes in language, lifestyle, and social customs can help reduce the impact of reverse culture shock upon returning home. 

Germany is no exception to this phenomenon of reverse culture shock. Common reverse culture shock examples include feelings of disconnection from friends and family, feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and a loss of identity as one's old life seems unfamiliar. 

Maintaining meaningful contact with friends and family members back home can help bridge any sense of cross-cultural disconnection when one returns from overseas. 

Engaging in activities that allow students to slowly readjust themselves into their original routine can also help to alleviate feelings of reverse culture shock over time.

Dealing with reverse culture shock

Reverse culture shock is a term used to describe the feeling of disorientation a person may experience when returning to their home country after living in a different culture. It can be caused by several factors, such as the sudden change in language and customs or the feeling of being out of place and not belonging anywhere. 

Reverse culture shock can last anywhere from several weeks up to several months. In some cases, it may even feel like depression, as the person struggles to adjust back to their old environment and life.

Cross-cultural shock refers specifically to when different people of different cultures come together and have difficulty understanding each other due to differing beliefs or ways of life; this can sometimes occur for travellers who visit highly diverse or multicultural areas such as large cities or countries with multiple cultural backgrounds. Knowing how to communicate effectively across cultures is helpful in avoiding this type of shock.

5 Stages Of Culture Shock 

There are generally five stages of culture shock: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Let's take a more detailed look at each stage.