Reverse Culture Shock

“Nothing is weird. Just different” ~ Heidi Sand-Hart

Amber Baus, B.A.,M.S.

What Is Reverse Culture Shock?

The emotional and psychological stage of re-adjustment from your host culture back to your home culture. (Also known as “re-entry”)

W-shape Hypothesis

What Effects RCS? Reverse culture shock (RCS) is expressed

differently in each individual. Various factors play a part in what (or what you might not) deal with upon your return. Length of stay in host culture. Previous experience abroad (or lack of). Personality Experience during stay Support system

Breaking Down RCS Long vs. Short term stays

Long: 7 months + Short: 2 weeks to 6 months Three areas of focus:

Physical Emotional Mental

Physical Jet lag

Sleep habits/patterns Stress

Blood pressure Low immunity Lack of (or low) energy levels

Change in diet Vitamins (missing or excess) Nutritional balance/imbalance

The “Honeymoon Phase”

Emotional

Know Yourself

There is no “I” in “Team”

Help!

Mental

Know your role(s) both new and old.

Get involved!

Who you are can not be

the same as what you do.

~ Neal Pirolo

From the book The Reentry Team: Caring For Your Returning Missionaries.

How To Come Home:

The Five Spiritual Steps to a

Successful Reentry

Paul & Barnabas“ From there they sailed back to Antioch (in Syria) where they had first been commended to the grace of God for the task which they had now completed. When they arrived there they called the church together and reported to them everything about how God had worked with them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And at Antioch they stayed with the disciples a good long time. Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, again teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, in the company of many fellow workers.” (Acts 14:26-28; 15:35)

The 5 Steps They came home at the Holy Spirit’s direction. They returned to their sending church. They allowed time to re-adjust to being home. They shared their experience with others. Became active in their local church/community

again.

Taken from The Reentry Team: Caring For Your Returning Missionaries by Neal Pirolo ( p. 31,32)

Suggested Reading Resources

The Reentry Team: Caring For Your returning Missionaries - Neal Pirolo

~Also by Neal Pirolo: Serving As Senders

The Art of Coming Home - Craig Storti

Resurfacing: A 40 Day Study for Returning Missionaries - Chris Johnson

Re-Entry: Making the Transition From Missions to Life At Home - Peter Jordan

Home Keeps Moving - Heidi Sand-Hart

For More Information:

To contact Amber Baus please email requests to:amber.baus@calbaptist.edu