Returning Home - how to reconnect

[Scuba]

Originally Posted by honeybarbara

My question is for those who have been overseas or living in another country for a while and moved home: I know I'm going to go through reverse culture shock till I figure out how to reconnect myself with home. I know I'm going to be different, see things differently, and that my friends back home will have changed. I know if I can't readjust, I can leave again (and probably go to Melbourne this time). But I'm home for 3 years to do my schooling at least. If it goes well, I'll stay.

so those who have lived in another country and come back: how did you cope for through re-entry depression? did you go through it? what helped?[/I][/B]

I never did figure out how to do this. About 4 years ago, I left a job that had me all over the world all of the time and for months at a time for 12 years. I lost a relationship for exactly the reasons you point out here. I lost my connection with my friends, my partner and my life as I knew it in the States. When you're gone, in another place, another country, you learn to assimilate and where ever you are becomes your world. Home begins to fade and you lose track of everything you knew there. You make new friends, develop new habits, find new familiar places.

Coming home was difficult especially for my partner. I felt "disconnected" from her and my friends. I didn't know how to relate to them and was out of loop in all that had happened while I was gone. They had grown accustom to my absence. It was natural and unintentional for them to exclude me from event invites and such. For my partner, we had nothing to talk about. We had nothing in common. The gap between us was finally so great she found someone she could relate to and I can't say that I blame her.

I eventually left this job for one that left me on my home turf in the States. I wouldn't do it again unless I had every intention of staying put.

I wish you luck and hope you find just a little of what you left after your absence

Cheers,

Scoobs