Assimilating into a new culture, as my colleagues and I did this summer, can be challenging. However, I didn’t hear enough about the culture shock experienced after living abroad. As International Business students, but also more broadly as students entering a rapidly evolving and globalized workforce, it is crucial to be adaptable to changes in environment. This is easier said than done, as expected. My flight back to reality was delayed by a brief but enjoyable trip post-IGL to Kuala Lumpur. As I left Kuala Lumpur however, I was filled with both relief and dread. Although I was excited to go back to the things I was used to (like a steady supply of Nestea), life back in Canada did not seem as interesting.
Sure enough, after a few days back in Ottawa I began to feel frustrated. My days were too empty without the ongoing routine of work that I had in Pune. There were of course things to do like attend summer recruiting events, continue the ongoing task of networking, and prep job materials, but I missed the rigid schedule that came with school and work. Beyond that, I felt restless and somewhat nostalgic. I think this is in part due to the ‘grass is always greener’ sentiment we often feel in other contexts as well. However, when I idly researched what I was feeling, I found various articles and blogs on the concept of ‘reverse culture shock’. As I read more about other people’s experiences, I realised this sense of ennui wasn’t unique to me.
Investopedia defines reverse culture shock as, “the emotional and psychological distress suffered by some people when they return home after [time] overseas. This can result in unexpected difficulty in readjusting to the culture and values of the home country, now that the previously familiar has become unfamiliar." What I found helpful when adjusting to the new yet old experience of living in Canada was setting a rigid schedule to complete tasks like networking, etc. Imposing a structure helped me feel more in control and prevented me from getting complacent during the summer months. This lifestyle choice proved helpful when classes started last week as well. Additionally, I tried restricting work to places like coffee shops and libraries, which allowed me to focus better when I was working, and helped me make the most of time with family and friends.
While there will undoubtedly be a learning curve when I do start working, I think the Ivey Global Lab in all its stages served as a test run for the global career I aspire to, and reaffirmed my choice to study the Ivey MSc in International Business (as clichéd as that might sound). Although there isn’t a way to avoid culture shock in its entirety, this experience helped me determine if a career path that involves working and travelling abroad is in fact what I want.