Reverse Culture Shock

Returning home after your time of study in the UK can bring as much, or even more, culture shock than students often expect.  We had some good discussion around this topic at TABLEtalk last night.  Many of the students shared their own personal stories and journeys both of initially arriving in the UK and, for some, the experience of returning home.

One student, who has been in the UK for some years now, described going home like living in a 'parallel universe'.

Here are some Top Tips from our students ...

* Prepare your mind for change

* Roll with the changes

* Live the moment in your own country / culture

* Have quality relationships with those you're staying with

* Recognise the need for compassion in the early days

* Take the good things, apply them

BUT remember you are no longer in the UK

* Remind yourself how you've grown. You are a

better person - degree, language, personality

* Embrace your increased tolerance to

new cultures / new perspectives

* Use your experience to change your home country

for the better

* Remember the new skills you've learned

* Remember those back home don't always understand the

journey you've experienced  -  be patient with them

* Remember - wasn't just a weekend away

- it was a culture away

For more information on how to prepare for returning home, check out the UKCISA website:

UKCISA: Reverse Culture Shock