Reverse Culture Shock?
I've had none. Absolutely zero reverse culture shock. Mostly that's because my family is very wonderful and supportive. They let me babble in Japanese and tell my stories and say things like "well, in Japan..." ad nauseum. I expected to be told at least once that my stories from Japan are getting lame, but it hasn't happened yet. And now that I've been home for two months, my stories are dwindling. I still pepper my speech with random Japanese like "hontou?" "shinjiren" and "wakaren" but, surprisingly, my family has already picked up on the meaning of most of my common phrases and responds to me as if I've spoken English. My mother is especially good about this. It's like a game. I'm just absolutely flabbergasted that this hasn't become annoying or embarrassing for them. I've asked several times, but it's my asking if things have become annoying that's getting annoying. Heh.
I think there are several factors that lead to me not feeling RCS:
1. I was ready to leave. I enjoyed my time in Japan, I really did, but I felt like two years was enough. Work there those last couple of months became very tedious and I dreaded going. Now I have absolutely no desire to live in Japan. Visit, sure, but not live. Ever, ever again.
2. I took my time leaving. I stayed in Japan for just shy of a month after my contract ended. This gave me time to socialize, relax, and breathe in my last days in Japan on my terms. Leaving felt right and didn't come as a shock.
3. I left in good spirits. I said my goodbyes, had my parties, helped my successor settle in (a bit), and just overall felt like I had gently closed that chapter of my life instead of slamming it shut. Those last few days were some of the happiest of my life and I remember them fondly while still looking forward.
4. I had a warm homecoming. Everyone I care about the most was there to meet me at the airport, even though my plane was delayed two hours. They were there. And it felt so wonderful to be home then. I felt important and loved. I think having people meet you when you come home from a long journey is crucial to settling back into a new life.
This is a brand-new chapter in my life. Even though I haven't experienced RCS, I still recognize my adult life as being split into three distinct episodes: before Japan, during Japan, and after Japan. Things are certainly more mundane here, but they are straight-forward, less intimidating, and less complicated. And that is a relief. Such a relief.
*bites into a big turkey and cheese sandwich* Mmmmmm.
I think there are several factors that lead to me not feeling RCS:
1. I was ready to leave. I enjoyed my time in Japan, I really did, but I felt like two years was enough. Work there those last couple of months became very tedious and I dreaded going. Now I have absolutely no desire to live in Japan. Visit, sure, but not live. Ever, ever again.
2. I took my time leaving. I stayed in Japan for just shy of a month after my contract ended. This gave me time to socialize, relax, and breathe in my last days in Japan on my terms. Leaving felt right and didn't come as a shock.
3. I left in good spirits. I said my goodbyes, had my parties, helped my successor settle in (a bit), and just overall felt like I had gently closed that chapter of my life instead of slamming it shut. Those last few days were some of the happiest of my life and I remember them fondly while still looking forward.
4. I had a warm homecoming. Everyone I care about the most was there to meet me at the airport, even though my plane was delayed two hours. They were there. And it felt so wonderful to be home then. I felt important and loved. I think having people meet you when you come home from a long journey is crucial to settling back into a new life.
This is a brand-new chapter in my life. Even though I haven't experienced RCS, I still recognize my adult life as being split into three distinct episodes: before Japan, during Japan, and after Japan. Things are certainly more mundane here, but they are straight-forward, less intimidating, and less complicated. And that is a relief. Such a relief.
*bites into a big turkey and cheese sandwich* Mmmmmm.