Reverse Homesickness

[englishteacher]

How long after you re-patriate did your homesickness for the new county go away-- if that makes any sense. I'm back in Canada but even a year later i'm sooo "homesick" that I don't know how much longer i can put up with it. Maybe a visit would help but it's so expensive to go to the otherside of the world just for a visit.

Comments

[katinkorea]

Reverse culture shock is often worse, since you can't really get anyone to understand other than talking with other former expats. There is also the realization that the things you don't like about your home country are permanent and not just for a temporary period of time. I definitely think a short visit would help.

[englishteacher]

i think it also makes it worse living in a small city-- there's no Korea town anywhere near me. I miss the food soooo much. I miss my Korean friends dreadfully too.

[agentmaly]

Yes, I think a visit would be very good. It lasts more than a year, I'm afraid.. it took me about two, I believe, and I still sometimes miss it, four years later. Actually, it might've been more than two.

Sorry to be discouraging. -.-

[_mysterieuse_]

It seems as though a year should have been enough to permit you to overcome these feelings of disjointedness, for lack of a better word. Because it has not been enough time, it would seem as though you should make some plans to head back.

You did not say what sort of teacher you are but perhaps you can plan to spend next summer living and possibly working in the new country. Working there may open up new doors and contacts to facilitate a more permanent move there in the future.

I miss my native city often but visits home, though infrequent, manage to assuage any feelings of homesickness I might otherwise feel.

Good luck...*smile*

[jennizane]

This is making me sad, I'm re-patriating in 2 months, back to California (from Amsterdam)....I'm scared. :-/

[marijke_rose]

I only spent 2.5 months in Holland (near Alkmaar) and I STILL haven't gotten over it. It's been two years, now. When I first got back home, it was really difficult for me. I couldn't just hop on my fiets and go to a shack shop for Belgian Frietjes or Dutch kroketten, and hot rolls with flokken or beschuit with muisjes and coffee whenever I wanted. Nor could I just look at the scenery, the channels.. etc.. Not to mention, I was staying with my boyfriend and his family, at the time, and I missed them deeply.

Sorry, I'm crazy, I know. I currently have expatriated to Germany (permanantly) and still miss Holland.. even though it is litterally next door (I think I can be there in a few hours driving -probably longer by bus), but getting to Noord-Holland (and Amsterdam or Alkmaar) would take a bit longer.

[englishteacher]

the food oooooh the food-- that's the worst part.

[marijke_rose]

Oh, yes! Without a doubt.

And the music (well, they play more varied European music in Holland than in America).. and the friendliness of the people in general.

[englishteacher]

you make me feel normal-- thank you.