the truth about life after studying abroad

Summary

This video explores the complexities of studying abroad, highlighting the initial excitement and the challenges of cultural adaptation, loneliness, and societal pressure. It emphasizes the emotional struggles faced when returning home, including reverse culture shock and the feeling of disconnection. The speaker reflects on the transformation experienced through studying abroad, the difficulty of readjusting to life at home, and the challenge of feeling misunderstood by others. Ultimately, the video suggests that the study abroad experience, though difficult, leads to personal growth and offers a new perspective on life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Studying abroad is often glorified, but the reality includes many challenges such as culture shock, loneliness, and the pressure to succeed.
• 😀 Moving back home after studying abroad can be just as challenging as adapting to a new country, with many people not discussing the aftermath of returning.
• 😀 Reverse culture shock is real, and returning to a familiar place can feel foreign because of the personal changes you've undergone during your time abroad.
• 😀 Little things like grocery shopping, enjoying coffee on slower mornings, and walking to class can make a study abroad experience feel special, and their absence can make home feel less exciting.
• 😀 Saying goodbye to friends made abroad can be one of the hardest parts of studying abroad, as those bonds can feel irreplaceable.
• 😀 There's often a shift in personality when transitioning between life abroad and life back home, and not everyone understands or relates to this change.
• 😀 People may expect you to be excited about returning home, which can create feelings of guilt and confusion when you aren't as enthusiastic as they expect.
• 😀 Reverse culture shock can lead to feelings of isolation, and only those who have been through similar experiences can truly understand what you're going through.
• 😀 Life after returning from studying abroad is often different for everyone, and comparing your experience to others can add unnecessary stress.
• 😀 While studying abroad can bring about feelings of longing and homesickness, it's important to remember that the experience shapes you for the next stages of your life, whether in your career or personal growth.

Q & A

Why was studying abroad once perceived as a dream for the speaker?

The speaker recalls growing up with the idea that studying abroad was a glamorous and desirable experience, largely influenced by how others talked about it—those who had experienced it and those who had formed perceptions about it.

What are some of the difficulties the speaker mentions when moving abroad?

The speaker highlights challenges such as culture shock, loneliness, guilt from leaving family and friends behind, the pressure to be successful, and the responsibility to bring pride to their family.

What aspect of studying abroad does the speaker focus on in this video?

The speaker shifts focus from the challenges of moving abroad to the often overlooked difficulties of moving back home after studying abroad.

Why does the speaker find moving back home difficult?

The speaker experiences reverse culture shock, feeling a disconnection with their home country after having been abroad. The familiarity of home feels strange, and the speaker struggles with changes in their own identity and the inability of others to understand their feelings.

What is reverse culture shock and how did the speaker experience it?

Reverse culture shock is the disorienting feeling when returning home after being abroad. The speaker felt it upon arriving in Indonesia, where everything felt familiar yet different. The sense of being changed while their surroundings remained the same led to confusion and discomfort.

How does the speaker describe their connection to their life abroad?

The speaker reflects fondly on the little everyday things they miss, such as getting groceries, enjoying quiet mornings with coffee, and spending time in their favorite places, like the state library and their room in Melbourne. These experiences became meaningful and shaped their time abroad.

How did the speaker form strong friendships during their time abroad?

The speaker made lasting connections by putting themselves out there during the first few weeks in the new country. They found a close-knit group of friends who helped each other navigate the challenges of studying abroad.

What emotional impact did saying goodbye to friends have on the speaker?

The speaker felt sadness and grief when it was time to say goodbye to their friends, knowing that they would no longer be living in the same area or see each other regularly. The bond they shared was strong, and the farewell was one of the hardest moments of their experience.

Why does the speaker feel they have different personalities at home and abroad?

The speaker struggles with feeling like they have developed different personas in their home country and abroad. This change is subtle but significant, and they feel conflicted about it, unsure whether it's just in their head or a real transformation.

How does the speaker feel about the expectations of others when returning home?

The speaker feels pressure to be happy and excited to be home, as others expect them to feel that way. However, they feel guilty for not being excited and find that people often don't understand the depth of their struggles with readjusting to life back home.