As I prepare to return to the US, I find myself in a mix of emotions. I feel sad saying goodbye to everyone here and excited to see my family and friends. These emotions are expected by myself and everyone else, but I have more feelings than just these two.
Several months back, I made a list of things that I missed from America that I could not do or have here (in this part of India, not India as a whole). I missed cheeses, hamburgers, and sushi. I missed driving my car. I missed sitting in coffee shops with friends and going to the movies. I missed hot showers, AC, and washing machines. But now I don't really mind not having those things. (Although I suspect I will enjoy them once I am back).
When I think about having all those things again, it just seems strange. I've made a lot of changes to adapt to living here; now I must change again. Culture shock is widely discussed and expected. Reverse culture shock seems to fly under the radar. I think the best way I can sum it up is to say that I feel out of place, uneasy, and foreign. I know this is a phase and I will adapt and change, but this is how I feel for now.
Here are a few of many articles that are helpful:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/09/06/home-sweet-home-dealing-with-reverse-culture-shock/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/24/cultural.reentry/index.html
Several months back, I made a list of things that I missed from America that I could not do or have here (in this part of India, not India as a whole). I missed cheeses, hamburgers, and sushi. I missed driving my car. I missed sitting in coffee shops with friends and going to the movies. I missed hot showers, AC, and washing machines. But now I don't really mind not having those things. (Although I suspect I will enjoy them once I am back).
When I think about having all those things again, it just seems strange. I've made a lot of changes to adapt to living here; now I must change again. Culture shock is widely discussed and expected. Reverse culture shock seems to fly under the radar. I think the best way I can sum it up is to say that I feel out of place, uneasy, and foreign. I know this is a phase and I will adapt and change, but this is how I feel for now.
Here are a few of many articles that are helpful:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/09/06/home-sweet-home-dealing-with-reverse-culture-shock/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/24/cultural.reentry/index.html
