Being abroad is a formative experience for most students, a time full of adventure, reflection, discovery and change. When your time in abroad comes to a close and the prospect of returning home may feel equally exciting but maybe also a bit sad or possibly daunting. Give yourself time to readjust and savour the (re-)discovery of your own country and culture. We hope you will have enjoyed your time abroad and will have created lasting memories and friendships!
This page gives some advice on:
... don't ignore tying up loose ends. In the emotion of when your Global Opportunity ends don't forget the things that you are required to do. Exactly what you need to do, will depend on what you have been doing abroad, however:
And of course, don't forget to take the time to enjoy those last few, days, exchange contact details and start making plans for your next adventure.
"The process of readjusting, re-acculturating, and re-assimilating into one's own home culture after living in a different culture for a significant period of time".
Going abroad has ups and downs and the same applies to returning home afterwards. Things will be different; indeed, you will be different! It is not unusual to miss the friends that you have made in abroad. Likewise, some students find that on return home things and relationships that were once familiar seem different, challenging or disappointing. It is thus not unusual to find that you have to re-re-adjust in order to get used to life back at home. This process is often called ‘reverse culture shock’.
Everyone is different, but things that you experience may include:
There are various stages of culture shock before, during and after your move back home:
In order to help your transition, there are a number of things you can do and think about:
A good initial step to is to realise that everyone who has taken time abroad will have changed. You will have seen and experienced things that have altered your worldview. Be prepared that your friends and family may also have to get used to the new you and that you may not be able to fully articulate your changed thoughts. So be kind to yourself and each other and take the time to reflect on what you have learned about yourself while abroad.
These days it is easy to connect with people in just a few simple clicks. But remember: you still have to actually do it! If you are missing the friends from your time abroad, then call them or drop them a line. Don’t hide away or think ‘it’s their turn to get in contact’. The truth of the matter is that they probably miss you too. Don’t be shy or embarrassed if it has been a while since you last got in contact. We all lead busy lives, and it is likely they will be happy you reached out.
Keep connected to your friends at home while also making new friends. Sometimes to feel less “foreign” in your own country you can meet up with others who have gone through similar experiences. Often there are Global Opportunity alumni meet ups or student societies where you can connect with new people who also understand what you’re going through. Click here to check out some of the alumni organisations that we are aware of.
Eventually you will need to come to terms with the fact that time abroad was transient, and you cannot be best friends with everyone all of the time. Inevitably you will lose contact with some of the people that you have met. The flip side is that new people will also come into your life. Embrace that those people you lose contact with still contributed to who you are and the memories that you have… which leads us on to…
Talking about your experiences will only last so long. Memories do fade so before you leave you why not get all of your friends to write a short paragraph about their favourite memory you had together? When you are back home, make a scrap book / or print a photo album. While you may not need it now to remember your time abroad, in years to come you can look at these things and keep the memory alive.
Your experiences can help and inspire others.
Okay, you may not be able to recreate a Norwegian fjord or the humidity of Bangkok, but there are other things you can do to carve out a little bit of abroad at home. For example, if you miss the food, why not organise a dinner party to teach and share with others what you have learned.
As one experience ends, you can always start your next one. It doesn’t have to be abroad. Keep the explorer’s mindset that took you abroad and don’t forget that your home country is full of amazing places you haven’t yet visited. What about that gallery you have walked past a thousand times? What about jumping on a bus to the wildness and seeing where it takes you?! Likewise, think about meeting your friends you met abroad on holiday somewhere else in the world.
Why not use this opportunity as a springboard? Below there is more information about what you could do next!
If you are struggling, then reach out! Durham has its Counselling Service and the Student Wellbeing Programme. Having to make an adjustment to being back at home is totally normal, so you are not alone.
We want a Global Opportunity to be the springboard to your next adventure
We want Global Opportunities to act as a springboard to your next challenge or ambition. If you have taken a short opportunity, why use your newfound skills and confidence to check out full year options, including full year GO Work Abroad or a full year Studying Abroad?
Outside of Durham there are a number of Alumni networks, supporting work, culture and language opportunities both in the UK and abroad? Check some of them out here: Alumni Organisations.
Finally, your academic story doesn't have to end in Durham. Why not consider furthering your studies abroad? Check Graduate Opportunities for further information.
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