Returning Home: Preparing for Reverse Culture Shock as an Indian Student

Reverse culture shock can be equally discomforting as going to a new country to pursue your study abroad dreams. Symptoms can be difficulty in concentration, physical discomfort, anxiety and disorientation, fatigue and sleep disturbance. Let's dive deep into the phenomenon of Reverse Culture Shock.

As the students need to manage well the feelings of discomfort, and culture shock when they go to study abroad in other countries, they also need to handle the reverse culture shock when they come back home after completing the course.

After spending a few years in another country, usually Indian students are excited to come back to their country and reunite with family and friends and to enjoy the home food and immerse themselves in the cultural fabric of India. However, amidst this excitement lies a lesser-known challenge: reverse culture shock. As the students prepare to transition back to their home country, Indian students often find themselves grappling with a complex mix of emotions and adjustments.

So it is better to prepare for the reverse culture shock well in advance. Following are a few ways one can prepare for the journey ahead:

Understand What is Reverse Culture Shock

It is the psychological and emotional distress experienced when returning to one's home country after an extended period abroad. It occurs due to the drastic contrast between the societal dynamics, cultural norms, and lifestyle experienced in the host country and those prevalent in India. India has a very different culture as compared to other countries. For students who have spent years in a foreign country, trying to understand the culture and other things, it is equally challenging to adjust to life back home.

During their stay in another country, they adapt to different social norms and ways of life while dealing with academic expectations. They become accustomed to different surroundings where assertiveness and self-expression are valued and when they come back to the collectivist culture of India upon their return they may find it difficult to adjust. This reverse from independence to interdependence can invoke a feeling of discomfort and culture shock.

Be prepared for Cultural and Societal Differences

To be prepared for reverse culture shock in advance, one should first acknowledge and understand the cultural and societal differences between India and the host country. They must understand that despite living a more independent life in foreign countries they need to adjust to Indian society again. 

Also, the societal changes and technological advancements that occurred over the years can increase the feeling of disconnection as the surroundings will appear different from earlier.

The key is again to be open-minded as you were while exploring the country outside, be mentally prepared before coming home and have the willingness to adapt to the changes. It is advisable to engage in conversations with family and share your experiences with them also talk to peers who have undergone similar transitions.

Resilience and Self-Care is the Key

While you plan to return home, you must prioritize self-care and resilience-building strategies to navigate the challenges of reverse culture shock successfully. Practising meditation and mindfulness is going to help you always be it going to study abroad, coming back from abroad or during any other circumstances. Maintain open communication with loved ones, engage in activities that foster a sense of belonging, and help in decreasing feelings of isolation and anxiety.

Also, accept that this experience of reverse culture is a normal part of returning home and it can be sorted on its own over some time. If not then you can take the support of mental health professionals to handle the situation better.

Read more:

• Five Tips for Cultural Adaptation When You Study Abroad
• Study Abroad: Five Reasons Why Scotland Plans to Attract More International Students in 2024