You’d think that the biggest cultural challenge when going abroad for an assignment would be acclimating to the foreign culture you’re moving to. After all, it’s well known that expat life compels people to stretch beyond their cultural comfort zones; whether moving from Barcelona to Beijing, or from San Francisco to Stuttgart, you will encounter cultural challenges. These are challenges that you can generally anticipate and prepare for, and they are also ones that tend to come with some degree of support and resources, whether through your company or a local expat community. What you likely haven’t prepared for — and what can sometimes be even more challenging — is the cultural adjustment of moving home.
How to Return Home After an Assignment Abroad
The reverse culture shock may surprise you.
October 24, 2017
Summary.
You’d think that the biggest cultural challenge when going abroad for an assignment would be acclimating to the foreign culture you’re moving to. But sometimes coming back home can be even more difficult. After working in a new location, you may discover that you’ve adapted your cultural style to meet the new culture. You may be stunned to feel alienated in your own culture when you’re acting “naturally” based on aspects of a new culture you’ve just learned. When reverse culture shock hits, it can be discouraging, but if you approach it right, it can be a productive growing pain, rather than a permanent condition. First, anticipate and prepare for your return home in a similar way that you prepared for your initial sojourn abroad. Second, incorporate your new cultural style in different ways. Finally, find a way to appreciate, honor, and make sense of the new “you.”