Navigating Reverse Culture Shock

Remember when you first moved away and everything felt new? What if you experienced that all over again — in your hometown?

By Sayjel Vijay Patel

After living abroad in Asia for a decade, there is a special sort of homecoming you imagine when returning home. You imagine the warm familiarity of people and places you grew up with. Turns out however, moving back is just as complex and jarring as moving away.

Reverse culture shock is an inside joke no one understands — except those who have experienced it themselves.

Here’s what it feels like, and how to find a place back in your new old world.

1 — Same Same but Different

Returning home evokes a flood of memories; spotting the same diner where you had breakfast as a kid, seeing your old friends, or driving past your old neighbourhood.

At first, it’s exciting to rediscover your old spots. But soon, you notice the differences: the diner has new management, your friends have different interests, and your favourite tobogganing spot in the neighbourhood is now a parking lot.

Witnessing how time can outpace your expectations is a hallmark of reverse culture shock; it takes time to overcome the gap between memories and reality.

2 — Choice Paralysis

Living abroad for a decade means adjusting to an entirely different pace of life and set of norms. You have grown accustomed to public transportation, small grocery stores, and a variety of local food options — all within walking distance.

Then, upon returning home, you’re faced with a culture deeply reliant on private transportation and the sheer magnitude of everything — from food portions to shopping malls — is overwhelming.

At first, experiencing these differences with fresh eyes is exciting, but you can also be overloaded by endless choices. You may find yourself wandering the supermarket aisles, unsure which of the dozens of yogurt brands is “best.”

While convenience is a privilege, excess can feel unsettling.

3 — Chit Chat and Small Talk

One of the biggest surprises can be the re-adaptation to social norms. Back home, there’s a cultural custom of small talk — from the barista at the coffee shop asking about your day, to strangers striking up conversation about the weather. It can catch you off guard if you’ve spent a decade in a place where people have a more reserved and polite public demeanor.

Likewise, your humor, mannerisms, and even personal boundaries have changed in ways you didn’t expect. You might find yourself explaining references that no one understands.

Patience— you’ve been shaped by your years abroad— allow your new perspective to coexist with your old self.

4 — Third Places

Home is tied to our sense of identity. After spending a significant time overseas, it’s only natural to internalize pieces these cultures: the language, customs, and a different worldview. Back home you realize you can feel out of place — like a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit the way it used to.

Establish new routines: train for a race, learn a new hobby, or volunteer in a cause that resonates. Activities and routines create new friendships and aquaintences that give a sense of belonging.

5 — Embracing the New You

Your journey doesn’t end just because you’re back now —it’s actually a new start. Give yourself grace and acknowledge your growth.

Notice how your experiences abroad have enriched your worldview and appreciate the complexity of your new, hybrid identity. You are bringing back stories, lessons, and perspectives that can deepen your bonds with friends and family, and maybe even challenge them to see the world through new eyes.

If you catch yourself missing the clamor of street markets or the warmth of a foreign community you left behind, channel that sense of wonder into your life at home.

Explore new restaurants, keep up with foreign news,and maintain friendships overseas. These are ways to remain connected to your previous life and integrate it into your current routine.

Final Thoughts

Reverse culture shock is both nostalgia and confusion. You’ve grown while home has also changed — and both your worldviews need a little time to sync up. Embrace the journey as you navigate everyday life in a setting that’s both strangely familiar and unexpectedly foreign.

What’s your biggest reverse culture shock moment? Drop a comment to share your story and connect with others who’ve felt the same way.