Comments on: Reverse Culture Shock & Being Totally Stupidly Dramatic

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:42:24 +0000

Don’t worry, on my first day back in England after 10 months in Asia (mostly provincial China) I got so freaked out when I was walking along a street in my town by the quiet, and absence of people/cars/buses/bicycles/random dogs, that I spent far longer than I want to admit wondering if the world had ended and I was the only person left alive. Mmmm jet lag.

By: Theresa Taylor

Theresa Taylor — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:03:19 +0000

It’s your attitude that makes you look and seem younger. That little skip in your step. The bright eyes, the glow in your skin. The high on life and excitment that you had, has given you a new take on life. It’s that walking journey in Italy that given you those rosy cheeks. It’s the excitment in your voice! And yes, Although you look years younger, you definetly don’t act it. You are beautiful and sophistcated and you hold your head high with confidence. And the stories you write and talk about….Forget about it….. they are so incredible and fun!!
That’s what I meant when I said you look like you were 17 again. You got your wonderful youthful sparkle back!!!! xoxo

By: Chase

Chase — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:43:27 +0000

Ah, I remember that feeling.
How amazing is it to drive for the first time again? Love it.
Glad you went

By: Katy

Katy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:38:10 +0000

Aww! Poor girl. I’m so familiar with reverse culture. It’s ok, it sounds like you’re actually handling things fairly well. It’ll get better, I promise.

By: Kelsey Halling

Kelsey Halling — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:52:17 +0000

Eating nutella with a knife. Been there. Reverse culture shock is, well, shocking. Just start planning how you’ll get back. Even if it won’t happen for a while, just knowing you’ll go back makes it easier.

By: Adam Axon

Adam Axon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:19:20 +0000

Reverse Culture Shock can be a big issue. Europe might provide a stark contrast to Suburbia, but each environment presents an opportunity to flourish if you look hard enough! Focus on the positives on your environment rather than the negatives compared to Roma!

I’ll be having to try this advice out soon enough I feel

By: Charmouta

Charmouta — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:34:13 +0000

This too shall pass baby….

By: Ari

Ari — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:18:02 +0000

oh girl, I’m STILL trying to get over this not living in Europe thing. I think it might have ruined me.

By: Kat

Kat — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:27:04 +0000

Sorry, I’m not seeing the downside to looking 17! :p
But yeah reverse culture shock is very real…. sometimes I think it hits you harder because you totally don’t expect it and it hits you all at once, whereas regular culture shock you’re sort of prepared for and take in over time.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:49:13 +0000

I get the same feeling when I go from living in DC to the suburbs of Massachusetts. When I’m home for the holidays I feel trapped, even though I have a car Boston is an hour away and there’s only so much you can do in Target.