Returning from abroad can be a huge adjustment from the life you have experienced while studying off campus. For some students, returning home is more difficult than studying off campus because they didn't anticipate that coming home would be a challenge. You probably won’t return as the same person you were when you left. This can sometimes be a surprise to your family and friends. The extent of the changes you’ve gone through abroad may not be as apparent to you until you return home and realize that you’re seeing things through a new perspective, and maybe even a new set of values.
The signs of re-entry adjustment are similar to what you go through adapting to a new culture. Remember that “W”-curve of cultural adjustment—the initial euphoria, followed by lots of criticism, followed by general acceptance and understanding of the new culture? Well, the same pattern applies to re-entry. You may become critical of home and friends and their apparent disinterest in international affairs. You may feel disconnected with those closest to you or become irritable for no reason. Or you may simply experience a feeling of homesickness for your off-campus study location. Just like culture shock, the re-entry adjustment period will pass.
Be patient and give yourself time to adjust. Keep your journal handy and continue to record your reflections and ideas. Much of the impact of study abroad comes after you return home and have had time to reflect upon your experiences and the insights you have gained. Students are also encouraged to seek professional help at the Counseling Center.
