Ways to Deal with Re-Entry

I guess this is Urbana.org's topic of the week: re-entry. But yet again, here is another great Q&A session between a college student and InterVarsity's point-ask-anything-person.


Stephanie: (07/10/07)
Hi, Jack.
I was wondering if you could say a bit or recommend some articles about how to deal with re-entry.
I was out of the country for a few months and, while my initial transition back to the States was just fine, now, several months later I am experiencing some negative "reentry symptoms", such as boredom, having trouble relating to my family and friends in the States, missing my "other home" and my friends there A LOT, as well as ambivalent feelings about wealth and money.
Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!


Jack:
Good question, Stephanie. Some thoughts:
• First of all, good re-entry adjustment is not an event; it is a process, and takes time.
• Secondly, some have seen in this process a cycle of adjustment, an experience usually including the following steps:
o Reaction: a “reverse culture shock,” which you are going through, often more severe than the culture shock when you left the U.S.
o Reflection: the need to sit down carefully and think through what you are experiencing (as you are doing), why you are experiencing this, and what you can do about it.
o Conceptualization: putting your thoughts, feelings, and reactions in categories and what action steps you plan to take.

The process is important, Stephanie. It is part of learning more about yourself, an opportunity to be more objective about American culture, and as a result growing in maturity.
I would journal your responses to these three steps as part of your process of re-entry. It is a valuable experience, which will not only help you now but will prepare you to help others one day.

There are some dangers in this whole matter that you need to be aware of:
• That you will begin to romanticize about your experience in the other country the longer you are back home. You will tend to forget the difficulties and exaggerate the wonderful relationships, the food, the style of life, etc. It’s just good to know this.
If you are able to return one day, you will have to face disappointment; things will just not be as wonderful as they developed in your mind.
• The danger of having a continual negative reaction to American patterns of “wealth and money.” Don’t lose your appreciation of how consumerism has taken over American life, but think through your criticism, make some decisions as to how you will live, knowing that as time goes by you will find yourself slipping back into the same patterns you had before.
Be aware that your family and friends who have not gone through the experience you had overseas will not be able to understand fully what you are feeling and expressing.
• The temptation to focus in on yourself: “Why don’t they understand me?” “Why are people so selfish with their ‘wealth’?” Why aren’t they as sensitive to world need as I am?”
Rather than continuing to just focus on the needs of the people where you were, investigate opportunities of service here in this country. See a broader picture. Use the sensitivity you gained to good advantage here.

Above all, may the Lord guide your prayers, thoughts, words, and actions to glorify Him in this process. He took you there; He wants to help you incorporate the valuable lessons you learned and show you how they can and should influence your life now.
I trust some of these thoughts will be helpful to you.
Jack

Here’s a word I received this morning. Perhaps it will encourage you: “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God” (Isaiah 50:10).