4 ms·

I have lived overseas for over a decade, and while I have no current plans to move back to my country of origin, I think I know what moving back would feel like

by lokedhs 10y ago

I have lived overseas for over a decade, and while I have no current plans to move back to my country of origin, I think I know what moving back would feel like, and it matches what other people have told me. The article talks about things having changed when you get back. I'm not so sure that's the big issue. I think the biggest problem is that you yourself have changed so much, and your views are greatly expanded. While when you come back, nothing had really changed. That local grocery store is still there, and things are pretty much exactly where they were all those years ago. I feel some of this every time I go back to visit my family, and at the end of the trip it feels very relieving to go back. I think if my home country looked very different, as they suggest would be a problem in the article, going back would be a much more exciting experience.

renegadesensei 10y ago
Completely agree with this. I too have lived abroad for a while and it amazes me how much things remain the same back in the United States. The culture shock is always more about how much I have changed, not America.
charlesism 10y ago
> things having changed when you get back. > I'm not so sure that's the big issue. If you spend enough time abroad, it will always change your personality. As for handling changes to your home country upon your return, it really depends on the situation. A San Francisco native who leaves in 1972 and returns in 1979 wouldn't have much trouble, compared to one who who leaves in 1962 and returns in 1969. It would be pretty disorienting to find your hometown now has a radically different culture. That said, I have no opinion on which is a bigger issue.