Arcadia Ireland

“When you travel overseas, the locals see you as a foreigner, and when you return, you see the locals as foreigners.” ― Robert Black

Today I would like you to think back to that time in January when you were tired but excited, hungover from too much Irish stew and black stuff, missing your mom or your sister or your brother or your dad or your cat or dog. Feeling excited and enthused on the one hand and perhaps petrified on the other.  We talked about the highs and the lows of what was going on right at that moment and that you would come to see that indeed, culture shock, is scientifically proven! There were the highs and lows and the in between but hopefully we reassured you that you would in fact pass through and overcome each stage.

All of the this doesn’t seem that long ago at all and yet in the space of three months, you have in fact gone with the curve and have moved from honeymoon to frustration to finally feeling as though you could understand all things Irish! Your curve went in a slightly different direction in the end. Not at all what any of us had planned or hoped for but this is still part of your story of study abroad and it doesn’t have to end just there.

You're home, now what? 

Now you are faced with the challenge of Reverse Culture Shock! You have stepped back into the familiar and the known. You are hopefully with loved ones eating the old familiar foods that you just couldn’t get hold of in Ireland. The peanut butter is probably a lot better and that TV programme that you couldn’t watch here, is now available whenever you want! This isn’t an ordinary time of course but you are still home and in fact are in a happy stage of reverse culture shock.  

What is Reverse Culture Shock and how can it be managed?  

One study abroad student summed up her experience nicely when she said

“After the whirlwind experience of a Semester abroad – constantly meeting new people, having new experiences and gaining independence – coming home can feel like an anti-climax. Like many other students I found myself living with my parents again after my time abroad. It felt like I’d taken several steps backwards” (Guardian Newspaper article)

On top of this you are trying to complete tasks in a different climate to the “norm”. Academics are still going on as you try to learn in a new way (online) along with many of you not being able to leave your house.

Here are my tips to try help you overcome what you might be currently experiencing:

Give yourself time to adjust and try to go with the craziness that you might be feeling right now

Easier said than done I know but it is possible! People the world over are wondering what “normal” is right now so you aren’t in this alone and through time, it will pass. Often if we try to fight things, it makes us feel worse. Surrender the control and learn to sit with this. It will make you a stronger person!

You have changed

We know that your time was cut short and that you had so many other things to do but in the space of these last few months, you have in fact changed. Imagine that you will never ever be the same as before you left for study abroad! You have grown in ways that you may not have realised yet. Just you wait and see!  

Speak to others and maintain the contact you had grown fond of

You were probably part of a WhatsApp group in Ireland, why not stay connected to your new friends? There may be an opportunity to meet up in the future. Some of my closest friends live in the States or in other parts of the world.

Get planning

You might not feel completely like this right now but an idea might be to have something to look forward to. Remember we gave you that advice at the start of the Semester when you were feeling homesick. Now we are back to that again. Maybe you could think of a Fall plan when all of the current crisis has settled down. 

 Think about little reminders of Ireland and send us a pic

Our colleague in Scotland came up with this wonderful idea about asking students to think about little reminders of their host country now that you have returned home. Maybe it is breakfast time when you are having an Irish tea that you brought back with you, or maybe it’s a new routine that you put in place during your time abroad. Perhaps there are similarities in some of the things that you had taken for granted in the past. We would LOVE to hear or see more on this as I truly think it is a great way to stay connected to Ireland. #arcadiaireland or for those who prefer the old school approach email me handg@arcadia.edu

 Stay focused

I know that you are still coming to terms with the academic matters that need to be attended to. Stay on top of this and do the best you can. It is one thing you can take control of during a time of uncertainty.

Your Story of Study Abroad continues 

Imagine that you are sitting in front of an employer at an interview in five years from now. You are talking about that time that your study abroad ended prematurely because of a world crisis. How would you narrate that story? Perhaps you could see your story as being what it is, without judgement. Also good to remember that with every threat or even crisis or ending comes an opportunity. Wouldn't it be interesting to talk about the way in which you deal with things that don't go according to plan? 

 Do check out our Arcadia University's Welcome Home page

Into Reading?

Check out this book The Art of Coming Home by Craig Storti. Most people who live overseas find repatriation—coming home after their foreign assignment—more difficult than going abroad in the first place. The Art of Coming Home explains why—identifying the main challenges and how to get beyond them.

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