Reverse Culture Shock: Preparing to go home after studying abroad in London

The preparation it takes to study abroad for a year is immense. The administrative work, finding your accommodation, the visa application process and opening a bank account is often a stressful process for study-abroad goers. However, the excitement of visualising the new life you’re about to create in London makes all the preparation worthwhile.

So much effort is given towards the process of preparing and arriving in London. An aspect of study abroad rarely discussed is the move back home. The life you had once visualised and dreamed of suddenly starts to become a distant memory.

Even though a year sounds like a long time, don’t be fooled! Time while studying abroad passes by so quickly; processing the fact that your time studying abroad will eventually end is a thought often neglected. Spending a year in London means that you truly build a life for yourself that feels quite solid. However, the paradoxical beauty of studying abroad means that it eventually does end, just like all good things in life.

So, as my study abroad journey at LSE comes to an end and I begin packing my bags, I have reflected on many things that I am preparing myself to encounter back in Australia. Reverse culture shock is a popular experience when returning to your home country after an extended time away. Often expats returning home can feel isolated and disconnected from their home culture. Although Australian and British culture are quite similar, there are certain things that were once familiar to me back home that I believe have become unfamiliar after living in London for a year.

Reverse Culture Shocks that I am expecting

• Struggling to reconnect with old routines

When studying abroad you adjust to a specific daily routine that can be drastically different from the routines you once had back home. For example, living in central London, I have become a lot more active every day and prioritise walking. Hitting 10k steps everyday has been a breeze due to living in such a walkable part of the city, and I know this won’t be as easy for me back home where having a car to get around is quite essential.

• Missed aspects of the ‘Londoner’ way of life

One thing I will miss for sure is the ‘Londoner’ way of life. Although Australian culture is quite laid-back and many people find this favourable, as a creative and motivated individual, I have thrived immersing myself in the hustle and bustle culture of the city. I’ll definitely miss the pub culture and cheeky pints after classes, the last-minute social events and gigs, and the cheap, spontaneous weekend trips to various cities around Europe.

• Moving back into my family home

Not necessarily a culture shock, but one thing that I know will be a ‘shock’ is moving back in with my family. As a hyper-independent eldest daughter, living alone in London has been such a freeing experience. I am beyond excited to see my family again, but it will take some time for me to adjust back to living in a space that is not completely my own.

My strategies to cope

Knowing that reverse culture shock can greatly affect study abroad returners, these are some things I am doing to make sure I can ease my transition back into Australian life.

• Acknowledge that I am having certain feelings about moving back home

I am expecting to have reverse culture shock, and I accept that it is a very normal experience for study abroad students when moving back home.

• Talk about my concerns and seek support

Luckily, I have an amazing support system (which thanks to study abroad, extends across continents), who are willing to listen to my concerns and feelings, and provide guidance and support when needed.

• Stay in contact with friends made in London

Just because I am moving home, it does not mean that the relationships I have built and the memories I have created are left behind. Staying in touch with my London friends will be an essential part of my journey moving home, and speaking with them about my concerns may be a good way to cope as we have shared experiences!

• Embrace the positive aspects of my return home

As reverse culture shock can be quite jarring and framed negatively, ensuring that I reflect on the positive aspects of returning home is important. I am beyond excited to see my friends and family back home and to try out new cafés and restaurants that have opened up since I have been away!

As a nostalgic person, I often have a hard time letting go of things. Studying abroad has taught me how to be appreciative of the time I spend in certain places and with specific people. Although my time is coming to an end, and I am leaving my life in London behind (for now…), I know the friendships I have created will be with me for a lifetime, and that the city will always be waiting for me to return.

Final comments

Reverse culture shock can be jarring, and you should spend as much time preparing to go home as you have preparing to arrive in London. It might not take as much administrative effort, but the emotional labour of accepting that your study abroad journey is coming to an end and that you will be returning home is immense. Accepting that reverse culture shock may occur and reflecting on the positive aspects of your study abroad experience will do wonders on your perspective for your return back home.