Reverse culture shock

It is not uncommon to experience a second wave of culture shock as you readjust to life back in Edinburgh. 

Reverse culture shock can be tricky as it is often unexpected – when you departed for your exchange you will have anticipated adapting to a new culture and way of life but adjusting to your home country or where you have already spent time living before can be overlooked. 

Often you may not realise how much you have changed during your year abroad and you may feel a loss for the friends, places and lifestyle you had on exchange. Missing your time abroad and the experiences you had there is completely natural but can be difficult to navigate.

Common symptoms of reverse culture shock

  • Boredom - after all the newness and excitement of your time abroad, a return to old routines (however nice and comforting) can seem boring. It is natural to miss the fun and challenges that characterise studying in a foreign country. 

  • Sadness - not only might you miss new friends and routines but may also feel uncertain in your identity; being abroad can allow us to embrace new sides of ourselves and show up in different ways so that we can feel we are not completely the same when we return.  

  • Inability to share your experience – not everyone will be enthusiastic about all you have experienced abroad and you may find that no one wants to hear about your time overseas. 

  • Feeling disconnected - at the beginning, you may feel out of touch with your friends who remained in Edinburgh or went on exchange elsewhere. 

These feelings should lessen as you readjust to life back at Edinburgh.  Remember, you don't need to leave everything from your exchange behind - you can keep in touch with the friends you have made abroad, and find ways to integrate some of the things you enjoyed doing on your exchange into your routine back home.  Why not connect and meet with fellow exchange alumni?
 
Your time abroad will have given you valuable personal experience of what it's like to study or work in a different setting, adapt to a new culture and navigate living abroad. There are lots of people who are keen to learn from your experience, such as students considering studying or working abroad themselves. Not only will you be helping others, but this will help you to explore, reflect on and channel your memories in a positive way. 
 

SWAY has plenty of ways to get involved!

Share your experience

  • Volunteer for SWAY events - present at an information session, volunteer at the Go Abroad Fair, or become a point of contact to provide peer support.

  • Share your photos - tag us at @uoegoabroad #uoeabroad on Instagram or email us some photos with captions from your exchange, this is a great way for us to show what you’ve been up to on our social media!  

Visit our Go Abroad Instagram

  • Write a blog -  you can sign-up to write for the UoE Go Abroad Blog – whether you want to share top tips, insight into your destination or an end of exchange reflection post the choice is yours.  

Visit our Go Abroad Blog

Fill out this short registration form to become a Student Blogger!

  • Support others - lots of students preparing for their upcoming study abroad experience are also seeking answers and posting questions in the Go Abroad Facebook Group and on the Discord channels. Share your invaluable experience and insight!   

Visit our Go Abroad Facebook Group

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