What term describes the disorientation resulting from re-entry into one's home culture after expatriate assignment?

What term describes the disorientation resulting from re-entry into one's home culture after expatriate assignment?

• A. Jet Lag
• B. Acculturation
• C. Culture Shock
• D. Reverse Culture Shock

Answer: (D)

Reverse culture shock describes the disorientation that often follows an expatriate’s return to their home culture after living abroad. After adapting to a different set of norms, routines, and social cues, returning home can feel unfamiliar or even jarring as you notice changes in people or institutions, or realize you’ve been altered by your overseas experience. This is distinct from jet lag, which is a physical time-zone adjustment; from acculturation, the broader process of adapting to a new culture during the overseas experience; and from culture shock, the initial upheaval of entering a new culture.

Reverse culture shock describes the disorientation that often follows an expatriate’s return to their home culture after living abroad. After adapting to a different set of norms, routines, and social cues, returning home can feel unfamiliar or even jarring as you notice changes in people or institutions, or realize you’ve been altered by your overseas experience. This is distinct from jet lag, which is a physical time-zone adjustment; from acculturation, the broader process of adapting to a new culture during the overseas experience; and from culture shock, the initial upheaval of entering a new culture.