As an expat family, the anticipation of visiting your home country and reuniting with loved ones, often during the summer, is something you eagerly look forward to.
However, what might not always cross your mind is the emotional roller coaster that accompanies these visits.
Here’s a glimpse into the emotional ups and downs I experienced during my last trip:
1️⃣ The Honeymoon Phase: Upon arrival in your home country, it's like a new honeymoon. You relish the familiar foods you didn’t realize you had missed and enjoy reconnecting with friends and family.
2️⃣ Reverse Culture Shock: But then, there’s the small shock of re-adjusting. For example, I was taken aback by the professional rudeness of some German service providers—a sharp reminder of cultural differences.
3️⃣ The Pain of Goodbye: Time flies, and before you know it, it's time to say goodbye again. For me, it was just as painful as when I first left Germany for our new adventure in the USA. The guilt of leaving my parents and in-laws, the tears of my children as they said goodbye to their German friends—it all hits hard.
4️⃣ Returning ‘Home’: Being back in the USA now feels so right, reaffirming that this is where my family and I want to be at this stage of our lives.
This summer’s visit to my home country has reminded me once again of the importance of constant reflection and open conversations about our feelings as an expat family. We must acknowledge the bittersweet reality of frequent goodbyes alongside the positive aspects of life abroad.
💡How do you handle saying goodbye?
💡What strategies do you use to cope with the guilt of leaving friends and family behind in your home country?
