Going home - Keep Your Life, Family and Career Intact While Living Abroad - page 108

time together. This will provoke responses on both sides. For George, accustomed to a
structured working lifestyle, the sudden change of having time on his hands may bring out
some frustration. Meanwhile, Miriam may find her life being intruded upon and restricted
with her husband around so often.
This situation will be even more pronounced once they relocate. They leave behind their
group of friends built up over 24 years, to return “home” where they have little social sup-
port. The few friends they maintained contact with in Australia over the years may not be
able to share their experiences or understand what they are going through. Naturally, both
George and Miriam will turn to each other for support. This can create a mutual dependen-
cy, which they both need and resent at the same time. For couples who have a good rela-
tionship the situation will be nurturing, but for others it may become a breeding ground for
conflicts.
Expatriate retirees need to evaluate whether relocating is suitable for them. Usually it is
considered only natural for someone at the end of their career to retire to the country they
came from. But after such a long time away, “back home” may feel just as alien as any for-
eign country.
Those who will relocate to the home country need to prepare themselves for reverse cul-
tural shock (see below). They should not take things for granted or expect to just fit right
in. They need to be patient with themselves and allow time to refamiliarize with the old
environment.
Retirement brings changes to everyone's life. It is very much up to individuals to minim-
ize the difficulties in adjusting to this transitional period. Accepting the inevitable changes
is essential. Allow time to get used to a life without work deadlines or targets. It will be
a new challenge to manage one's own time. Make efforts to develop new interests as well
as mutual interests with spouse and friends. After retirement, it is important to maintain a
balanced and healthy lifestyle with strong social support.
Retirement needn't be dreaded or feared, nor need it become a life of boredom and exile.
By considering all the available options, and choosing the one that feels right, it can be a
welcome beginning to a new chapter of your life.
R EVERSE CULTURAL SHOCK
Returning to the homeland involves more than packing and farewell parties. Psychological
preparation for re-entering the home country is just as important. However, the issue of “re-
verse cultural shock” is often overlooked by returning individuals and families.
Stanley and his wife Karen, described earlier, have just spent six years in a conser-
vative, predominantly Muslim country.