When students plan out continuing their studies abroad, they are initially faced with doubt and hesitance about making this move work for them. They are faced with difficulties of language barrier, culture shock, and feeling like an alien in another country among other things.
However, as soon as they have completed their program and make their way back home, it is feels as if they are foreign to their own land. This experience is otherwise referred to as a reverse culture shock.
The most common feelings that are encountered over here are obviously depression, yearning for friends, recipes and more. Fortunately, there are ways in which students can compensate for this loss with the help of the following tips:
Reconnect with your family
You may have had a pretty good time bonding with the people from another land, but you can’t take them back with you to your home nation. This is where you need to reconnect with your parents, siblings and friends who have been waiting for you to get back ever since.
Exchange whatever you have learned from your stay overseas with your parents because it will help you feel better. Some things might not sync in well with the traditions and religion of your country, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad thing.
It isn’t the end for your new friends
Admittedly, none of us are ever sure of how we are going to make it through while being on unfamiliar soil. The very idea about making friends would’ve seemed impossible as well. But it turns out the world isn’t so complicated and vast after all.
With that being said, don’t think for a second that because your term has ended, you won’t see your newfound friends ever again. Firstly, this is the digital age where social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Skype help us keep connected with people from across the borders.
Secondly, you can invite your friends for a summer visit in case you are desperate to get in touch with them again.
Look for native speakers in your place
The thought about learning another language never usually crosses the minds of many. However, it does help us eliminate our communication handicap on foreign soil. If you have developed a strong passion for a second language, there is no reason for you to throw it away like a piece of candy wrapper.
Instead, you can continue to learn this language if you are continuing your studies back at home. Or perhaps you can look for native speakers somewhere in your city. You may even get to grasp a better hold of it than just doing essay writing.
Give yourself time
Depression is not like deodorant that loses its fragrance after a day, it actually lasts longer depending on the impact it has on the person. It could take days, weeks, or even months before they finally come to their senses, but in due time it will all come to pass.
The important thing is that students take all the time they need to reflect on changes in scenery and come out fresh after all the mourning has been brought out.
Find good alternatives
The culture from the land outside of yours may have made a bigger mark in your heart than you could have imagined. The norms and traditions over there not only pleased you but inspired you to pursue them as well.
There are many things that pique our interests beyond the point of intriguing us such as skiing, roller-skating, surfing and cooking. To relinquish your thirst and urge of wanting to do all of those things again, try to look for suitable alternatives.
You can get a cookbook that lets you prepare all of the dishes from abroad. You can buy skiing equipment and take them with you when you wish to visit mountainous regions.
