The furniture is packed in your sea container and you’re living out of suitcases (again). Oh, the joys of moving! Heading back to Canada after an OUTCAN is bittersweet; your European adventure has come to an end but the comforts of home are in sight. Some people don’t realise however, that they will probably experience a form of reverse culture shock when they return. When I first moved back to Canada after two years in the Netherlands, I returned to a country that I felt at times I did not belong to, or that I no longer recognized. Some very basic things like the speediness of restaurant service and people speaking English caught me off guard. Not feeling rushed at a restaurant and stopping myself from eavesdropping on conversations just because I could understand what they were saying took some time, but these are the trials and tribulations of moving back home.
One of the most challenging things about moving back to Canada is that you have an idea of what Canada is in your mind, and when you arrive it is not what you had pictured. Amid your posting, you have changed and so has Canada; sometimes in ways you didn’t expect. You may find it difficult to fit in with old friends, and children may have a hard time relating to their classmates. This is all normal! It will be a transition period, just like when you moved to Europe. The only difference is, it may be more frustrating because you have expectations of Canada, and not all of them will be met when you return.
To deal with reverse culture shock, it is important not to isolate yourself and to try and keep some familiar activities in your routine, like family movie-night or evening walks. For children and youth, it is a good idea to join an extracurricular activity that is familiar to them so they can meet new people and create routine in their schedule. In addition, it is extremely important to keep a running discussion with your children about what they're experiencing when you move back. A few comments at dinner time or during their drive home from school about what you found challenging that day helps show your children that you understand what they are going through and that they are not alone. Keeping in contact with old friends or people back in Europe can also help. When you return to Canada, some people will not be able to understand or appreciate the experiences you had during your time in Europe like you do and may struggle to relate to your interests and stories. Connecting with people who are familiar with your story or people who have experienced similar things will help you as you transition back to a "Canadian mentality."
Amid the struggles, reverse culture shock also helps us underline some of the best things about being Canadian that we may have taken for granted before. My most memorable experience with reverse culture shock that always makes me laugh, is being bombarded with friendliness. Especially for those with experiences in Northern/Eastern Europe, the friendly Canadian smile or “hello” on the sidewalk may be hard to get used to. After spending a year in Estonia and then visiting family in Canada, I was a bit flustered when someone started up a friendly conversation with me in a gas station. I felt exhausted having to smile, make eye contact, and keep up with the small talk; something I hadn’t done in public in over a year. It gave my family a good laugh, but it just goes to show that it takes time to get used to being in Canada again.
Nevertheless, moving back to Canada will be full of new opportunities and experiences for the entire family. I wish everyone moving back a safe and smooth journey and hope that your time in Europe was enjoyable! If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, you can contact the Family Information Line (FIL) at any time, via phone or email: 1-800-866-4546 (North America), 00-800-771-17722 (International), or FIL-LIF@cfmws.com
For some more tips and tricks, please click on the following links:
American webpage on dealing with reverse culture shock.
More tips from a British Columbian who lived in Hungary.
An article for Teens about returning home from studying abroad.