Returning Home
From experience we know that returning home is probably the last thing on your mind as you embark on your travel planning and yet it is likely to be one of the hardest parts of your journey. Whatever your age and experience, you are likely to find coming home one of the most challenging times.
Reverse culture shock is something that you might experience, but to what extent and degree will vary. It is the shock of returning to something that was once familiar but that now seems different. Whilst the environment that you have returned to is unlikely to have changed dramatically you may have changed considerably after all of the eye-opening experiences that you have had on your travels. You may convince yourself that you will not be a ‘travel bore’ who talks and talks about ‘the time when…’! You will also find it strange that people are not interested in what you have to talk about – how could they not be – rest assured you aren’t the first and you won’t be the last.
Whilst ‘Returning Home’ shouldn’t be the focus of your travel plans it should also not be ignored. Candidates attending our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop (GYITSA) are advised to consider life after travel, if only to arm themselves with the knowledge that they may have an adjusting period on their return. You may not appreciate this reverse culture shock until you eventually get home, planning ahead means you can put it out of your mind throughout your travels.
While you are on your travels remember that life goes on, getting your affairs in order when you leave will hopefully avoid any nasty surprises when you return. Keep in touch with people whilst you are away, share some of your travel stories with them and ask them to keep you up to date with what is going on back home. You’ll be surprised how much it bridges the gap on your return.
Some people line up a job before they leave and on their return find they are no longer interested in the opportunity that a year ago sounded fantastic. Some people don’t consider life after their trip and find they are desperate to take the first job offer. The last thing that you want to think about whilst you are away is what you will do when you return home, but planning for your return will help you to avoid the shock of coming back. Our workshop won’t prevent the shock of coming home, but it will arm you with some suggestions of the things you need to think about before you go away, whilst you are away and when you come home. Good Luck on your return!
We believe in a transparent open approach and in and in providing access to useful information through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop (GYITSA).
A short introduction toto each of the subjects we cover during our workshop is published to allow anyone planning to travel to gain an insight into the considerations they will need to make, these include:
For more details on our Workshop / Course Dates and Fees please visit the How to Book section of our website, call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.
Please also visit our National Press Archive and MD's Blog for relevant international news stories and our comment and advice or join us on Facebook.
|
