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A Reverse Culture Shock Experience
Confessions of an American expat…
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What is reverse culture shock? It’s the experience of readjusting to the culture and way of life of your home country after having spent an extended period of time living and traveling in other countries.
I had the opportunity to have a conversation with an American expat who moved back to her home country after living in Europe for a decade and what she experienced upon moving back to the United States.
The first thing she noticed is how Americans feel rushed, stressed and obsessed with work. She found this to be extremely difficult to adjust to as she had just moved from a country with a slower, relaxed culture.
The mentality of the hustle culture, the grind, and grinding it out felt destructive to her. Also, there is the constant talk about being productive. Even when they’re not working, people are concerned about being productive. It felt like a very odd mentality for someone who’s lived abroad.
People use words like ‘optimize’. They have to optimize everything in their lives.
Whatever happened to just ‘living’?
