Re-entry for me was when life became like a rope that was forever being pulled from my hand–always moving and impossible to grasp. In the past five years since leaving China and returning to the states, I got engaged and married, had two babies, lost a father-in-law, changed jobs twice and moved across the country. It’s been eleven months since our cross-country move and the rope is still in motion, though I’m beginning to hold it long enough to feel the texture of the coils in my hands. And it doesn’t burn as much as it once did.
This series will be on the topic of re-entry, or reverse culture shock, but I hope you will find some solace, strength and hope for whatever transition you are experiencing. Re-entry specifically describes the experience of living abroad or in another culture for any amount of time and then assimilating back into your “passport culture.”
Re-entry is about being changed by your experience abroad, yet being expected to live the life you once lived in a culture in which you no longer fit.
Disorienting and confusing, it is no wonder re-entry is analogous to a spaceship returning to earth from space.
I first experienced reverse culture shock in high school after returning from an amazing summer camp experience in the hills of North Carolina. I had no idea what was wrong with me. My other experiences of it spanned 10 years and were after spending 6 months in Uganda, 5 weeks in Tajikistan and 5 years in China. This series will mainly be about my return from China, including past journal entries about the themes, lessons and resources that have impacted me as I have attempted to process this experience.
I wrote this series in response to a challenge to write during the entire month of October, called Write 31 Days. The table of contents is below. Please visit multiple posts and leave comments–I’d love to hear about your experience and get to know you. So glad you stopped by!
Day 1: Introduction
Day 6: Identity: Through the Looking Glass
Day 8: When You Feel Like Shutting Down
Day 9: Caring for your Dorothy
Day 10: You’re Not the Only One Who’s Changed
Day 11: 12 Race Day Lessons for Serving Overseas
Day 12: Confessions of an Experience Junkie
Day 14: Readjusting: Same Tools, Different Work Space
Day 15: Book Review: The Art of Coming Home
Day 16: The Story of My “Call”
Day 17: Is Missions a “Higher Calling”?
Day 18: And Then I Fell in Love
Day 19: Is God Calling You Overseas?
Day 21: What I Took and What I Left Behind
Day 22: Groundless, Weightless, Homeless
Day 23: When the Nations Come to You
Day 24: The Call to Displacement
Day 25: Scripture Anchors for Re-Entry
Day 26: In the Place of Your Exile
Day 27: Resources for Re-entry
Day 28: A Time for Everything: A Prayer of Leaving
Day 29: Journal: 8 Months After Re-Entry
Hi Leslie,
I'm looking forward to following along. I have never been out of the country for more than a summer but I completely understand and relate to reverse culture shock. My heart lives in China although I am currently living in New Orleans. Can't wait to see how God uses this!
Okay, this seems more worth writing now that I know at least one person will be reading along (besides my husband!) 😉 Thanks for commenting!
I experienced pretty dramatic culture shock after re-entering America after living in SE Asia during my teen years…to the extent that, practically as soon as I could after college, I was back in Asia again. It's not easy, that's a fact. It's not easy to feel like you belong nowhere, but you do get used to it, in a way.
You can do it honey! I'm so proud of you 🙂
– your admiring hubby
Thanks for reading and sharing a bit of your experience! It is interesting how you find a happy medium when you live in two (or more cultures). The woman that did our cultural training and had lived in China for over 20 years described it as "flipping a switch" when she went between countries. Sometimes it is easier to just compartmentalize. Hope you keep following along!
Thanks, baby!;-)
Wow, Leslie. I am so blessed by your posts. One of your blogs popped up on my friend's Facebook newsfeed and she sent me the link.
I am currently wrapping up my six-month missions internship in Lima, Peru. With only 46 days left, so many thoughts and emotions come to mind.
This is my first "missions trip" and first time traveling alone, it's been a crazy rollercoaster and the Lord's fingerprints have been on it all, the mountain tops and the valleys.
I appreciate your words, I'm thankful to have been introduced to a blog like yours to gain some insight; you've put into words all the things I've been trying to say. I love your previous posts as well, I love the Lord's timing in allowing me to serve and experience international living while I'm still young and not committed to a husband or children. I know the remaining time will pass quickly, I am enjoying this season and seeking the Lord's heart for the next. Thank you for sharing your past experiences and allowing the Lord speak through you.
Cassie
Cassie, Thank you so much for your comment! I love that you know exactly how many days you have left;-) I can totally relate to that. My first extended time abroad was for 6 months in Uganda and I definitely was counting the days! (not that it was bad, it was just–well, you know, a lot!) I am so glad that you have this opportunity–even if you never go back, you will never be the same! And, YES to using singleness to pursue God on great and stretching adventures!
"Re-entry is about being changed by your experience abroad, yet being expected to live the life you once lived in a culture in which you no longer fit. "
oh so true! Thank you for this series of posts, Leslie!
If you are here because you are going through re-entry or love someone who is, keep reading! Leslie's posts are a treasure trove of insight!
Thanks, Patty!
You're welcome, Michele! Thanks for stopping by!