Comments on: Re-Entry Shock (Culture Shock Upon Returning to a Home Culture)

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:37:09 +0000

Hey no worries. It makes my day that I could be helpful. Nothing sucks more than believing your are suffering alone.

By: helvetica

helvetica — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:21:01 +0000

Thank you so much. It’s good to know that those things are really normal and that I am not weird having all those re-entry shock feelings…

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:51:19 +0000

Hey Thanks. There is so little good information out there about reentry, so I am glad this was helpful. If you have any additional advice, feel free to put it here.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:54:25 +0000

Yeah, readjusting has been strange. I often feel a bit restless, like I should be traveling somewhere. But it is good to just be still too!

Plus, I am a more flexible and frugal because of my time backpacking. A few weeks ago I needed a specific shirt clean for work. Instead of wasting water, money, etc on washing one shirt, I hand washed it in the sink. Backpacking and budget travel has taught me a ton.

The initial shock of returning was rather intense, but now I like the inner backpacker that I am. I know I am a better person because of my travel experiences.

By: Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:49:33 +0000

I can never get over the culture shock of coming home. it always feels weird readjusting…

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:21:21 +0000

I good point. Before leaving the country I had very thick blood from my many years of living in northern snowy climates. Now my blood is so thin that 60 degrees sends me looking for a coat. Ug! I feel so weak.

By: Zhiqiang Travels

Zhiqiang Travels — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:28:24 +0000

Besides Culture Shock, physical shock is one other thing I experienced.

I spent 6 months in Sweden for my exchange programme back in 2005 and one thing I couldnt adapt when I am back in Singapore was the weather ~~ I sweated profusely everywhere i went — ahh how i missed the cool weather back in Stockholm

By: Johnjoh

Johnjoh — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:23:30 +0000

great post, re entry can always be a little rough and you do a great job describing the experience….

By: Jason Lancaster

Jason Lancaster — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:00:56 +0000

I really like your advice “expect people not to care.” I guess we really shouldn’t ever expect anyone to care, but the number of friends and family members who demonstrated almost no interest was sort of shocking.