Reverse Culture Shock

At COS conference this past week in Almaty, one of our sessions dealt with "reverse culture shock". I know it may be hard for you in America to believe that another American could ever be "shocked" when returning to the homeland, but alas, it is fairly common for those living in developing countries for extended periods of time. Just like it is shocking to transition from America, to say, Kazakhstan, it can also be shocking to return to the materialism, capitalism, democracy, individualism, culture, expectations, and realities of an old life that hasn't been part of a daily routine for 2 years. More than that, though, it can be shocking to return to family and friends who cannot possibly fathom the Peace Corps experience, and who have not lived the kind of high-pressure-catalyst of a lifestyle that engenders the kind of personal character development that so many PCVs have experienced. Will you even know me anymore, America? Will I know you? Or will we be more like old exes who maintain that sense of deep familiarity of the past but, for having drifted apart our separate ways over time, cannot possibly imagine that same relationship working out in the present?

Drama drama drama.

Meh. Throw me a Dos Equis with lime and salt and let me wear my baseball cap in public and I think I'll be fine and dandy like a hard-candy Christmas. But that's just me :D

Common Culture Shock Moments for PCVs