逆向文化冲击的阶段
While the stages of culture shock might seem complicated -- it turns out that reverse culture shock is even more of an emotional rollercoaster! Let’s break down the stages so you can understand what you might feel (or are currently feeling, 如果你刚回家!).
阶段1:回家
In the final days of studying abroad, you’ll probably feel excited and a bit nervous. After a few weeks or months abroad, you might wonder what has changed -- and how much it has changed. 你的朋友们最近在忙什么? 你的家人好吗?? 即使你已经 在国外学习期间保持联系，你可能不知道所发生的一切.
You board the plane home, arrive, catch up on sleep… and then what?
第二阶段:蜜月期
就像经历文化冲击一样, you might find that you experience a ‘honeymoon’ phase when you return from studying abroad. 家的舒适, 见到家人和朋友的喜悦, the ability to eat your favorite foods and watch your favorite shows, and the conveniences of the culture you grew up in will all feel great. It may seem like this phase will last forever (and we wish it could!).
For many study abroad students though, there are more emotional phases to experience.
阶段3:困惑和沮丧
几天或几周后, you might find yourself confused and/or frustrated by things that never bothered you before.
You might be frustrated by public transportation options at home after a semester of easily hopping on trains and buses to get around. 你可能想知道人们为什么要排队 这种方式 而不是排队 这种方式 就像你出国留学时他们做的那样. You might suddenly realize that some of those comforts and conveniences aren’t as comfortable or convenient as they were before -- because you’ve seen how the world works somewhere else, 也许他们有更好的做事方法!
阶段4:苦乐参半的怀旧
Phase 3 almost always triggers Phase 4, which we’re calling bittersweet nostalgia. It’s that feeling when you deeply miss your study abroad experience and your host country. 你可能会想念你的新留学朋友, and maybe your host family too if you stayed with one.
You might find that you cycle through phases 3 and 4 a few times in the first few months after returning home from study abroad. 在此期间, you’re slowly reconciling your experiences abroad with your life back home (you may even realize that “home” is a much more fluid concept than you thought now that you’ve had more than one).
第五阶段:接受 & 订婚
At some point, you’ll eventually re-integrate with life at home. You might forget the specific details of something you experienced abroad that caused you frustration or confusion. You might fall out of touch with study abroad 朋友. These are an unfortunate reality of passing time, and it’s okay to feel a bit sad about them.
在这段时间里，你也会发现, you come to accept everything you used to know so well about home. 你将与家乡的朋友和家人重新建立联系, 重新参与你最喜欢的活动, and head back to campus ready to dive back into your college experience. The pangs of missing your study abroad experience will become fewer and farther between.
阶段6:精通
By stage 6, the final stage, you’re successfully through the worst parts of reverse culture shock. 唷!
This stage is where you can look back fondly on your study abroad experience, 也活在回家的那一刻. You may have wanderlust and already started planning your next trip -- but you’re also happy to be home. The highs and lows of the reverse culture shock rollercoaster are much less dramatic. Congratulations on making it through this complicated, emotional journey!