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Procedure A
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Working After JET
Reverse Culture Shock
JET AA
Useful Links
General Safety
Medical Resources and Links
Disaster Preparedness
Emergency and Evacuation Resources
Emergency Supplies Checklist
Getting in Contact
Disaster Preparedness Handbook
Social Health Insurance
JET Accident Insurance
Mental Health
Sexual Health
Medication
Alcohol Abuse
Immigration
Status of Residence "Visa" (All 3rd Year JETs)
Travelling Abroad
Residence Administrative Procedures
Leaving JET Immigration Procedures
Important Documents
Money
Japanese Taxes
Home Country Taxes
Teaching Resources
Lesson Plans
Video Resources
Online Teaching Journals
Studying Japanese
Japanese Class
Self-Study
Category:
Kana
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
JLPT Prep
Resource Type:
Applications/Programs
Books
Websites
Leaving JETs
Important Documents
Immigration - Status of Residence "VISA"
Return Airfare
Moving Checklist
Shipping and Forwarding Services
Selling/Disposing Your Belongings
Sending Luggage to the Airport
Pension Refund
Procedure A
Procedure B
Working After JET
Reverse Culture Shock
JET AA
Useful Links
Reverse Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock is similar to the culture shock (fatigue) that you experienced when first coming to Japan. According to a survey conducted by CLAIR, about 66% of JETs experienced Reverse Culture Shock to some degree. For many people, Reverse Culture Shock is more difficult to deal with because they weren't expecting any adjustment period to being back "home".
According to Dr. Bruce La Brack, a cultural anthropologist at the University of the Pacific, the top 10 challenges of re-entry are...
10. Fear of losing your experience
9. Inability to apply new knowledge or skills
8. Feeling of alienation
7. People misunderstand
6. People see the "wrong" changes
5. Relationships have changed
4. Reverse "home" sickness
3. It's hard to explain
2. "No one wants to hear about this"
1. Boredom
According to Dr. Bruce La Brack, a cultural anthropologist at the University of the Pacific, the top 10 challenges of re-entry are...
10. Fear of losing your experience
9. Inability to apply new knowledge or skills
8. Feeling of alienation
7. People misunderstand
6. People see the "wrong" changes
5. Relationships have changed
4. Reverse "home" sickness
3. It's hard to explain
2. "No one wants to hear about this"
1. Boredom
Some Tips to Minimize Reverse Culture Shock
Before you leave Japan
When you get home
- Reflection
- Take some time to reflect on your time in Japan.
- Explore your feelings about leaving Japan/JET.
- Give yourself time for closure. Say proper goodbyes, plan final events and outings to your favorite places and with your favorite people; really enjoy your last few months.
- Anticipate how you, your homeland, and your relationships have and will change.
- Think about how your time in Japan will make life in your home country different from before.
- Prepare for your transition back home.
- Make a list of things you want to do and people you want to meet once you return.
- Get an idea of what you want to do when you get back, whether it be a job, further education, volunteering, a project, a trip, etc.
When you get home
- Reflection
- Understand that it takes time to (re)adjust to people, places, and living situations. Expect difficulties and realize that those around you may not expect you to have any.
- Realize that you may not have accurate recollections of your home. Recognize its social and physical changes. Study your society like you studied Japan. But beware of comparisons! Every place will comes with its goods and bads.
- Realize that you may no longer get the special treatment (good and bad) that you received in Japan.
- Connect
- Reconnect with friends and family. Share your experiences, and listen to their stories, too.
- Develop a support system.
- Join your local JETAA chapter for support.
- Find ways to continue connections and hobbies you started in Japan, whether it’s Japan-related or not.
- For example, keeping up with Japanese media, keeping in touch with people in Japan or other returning JETs, seek out local communities, planning trips to visit Japan, continuing Japanese study or cultural activity, photography, hiking, cooking, art, etc.
- Take care of yourself, physically and mentally.
- Gest enough rest.
- Keep a sense of humor.
- Take your time and go at your own pace.
- Be kind to yourself. Your feelings are valid and you deserve support.
Mental Health Resources
- TELL support for international residents of Japan
- Until the end of your contract, the following JET resources are available to you:
- Online counseling service (see monthly CLAIR news email for the password)
- AJET Peer-to-Peer Support Phone Line
- Available every night from 8pm - 7am
- JET Mental health subsidy