Reverse Culture Shock
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Everyone talks about the culture shock of arriving in a new country, but not many people talk about the culture shock of coming home after being gone for a semester.
When I was living in Rome, I missed “American things,” such as free water at restaurants, air conditioning, driving around places, big grocery stores, and just hearing English around me. But now that I have been home for about three weeks, I’ve realized something funny. The Italian habits quickly became my new normal. Coming back home has honestly felt a little strange at times because I have gotten so used to a different lifestyle for nearly four months.
A funny moment was when I came back and realized I could suddenly understand everyone around me again. In Rome, I had gotten so used to hearing conversations all around me without knowing what people were saying; it just blended into the background. When I got home, I was amazed because when I walked into stores, I could actually understand other people’s conversations. There was English everywhere. I forgot what that was like, even though I had only been away for four months.
I also really missed how casual Americans dress at times. In Rome, people always looked so put together, even if they were just walking around casually. I got used to putting effort into outfits every day. I would even change out of the comfy clothes I wore around my apartment into jeans and a jacket just to run to the grocery store down the street. Coming home and immediately seeing people in oversized sweatshirts and sweatpants at the store stood out to me, but I was so happy to just do the same and not feel out of place.
Even grocery stores felt overwhelming once I returned. Italian grocery stores were usually smaller and only carried a few options for food and kitchen items. I used to have to go to one store for clothes, another for notebooks and pencils, and another for food. Having all those things in one big place feels a little different now. I loved walking through my local Meijer after coming home and actually appreciating its size and one-stop-shop convenience.
It’s funny how quickly a new place can start to feel normal. I spent months adjusting to life in Italy, and without realizing it, some of those habits and routines became part of me too. Being home has made me realize that studying abroad changes you in small ways you do not even notice until you come back.
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