I’m Moving To Europe

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Abstract

’m not talking about a two-week vacation) will experience culture shock. I remember feeling fearful at first. Yet, culture shock is a great experience to go through. I mean, it’s confusing and makes you feel nervous that every action you make could be considered rude in your new country… But it’s great because it teaches you that there is no such thing as “normal”! Each country has its own social rules, habits, and culture that people abide by.</p><figure id="ec79"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*DUdgF6armEQzU1jc"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@fellowferdi?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Ferdinand Stöhr</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h1 id="c743">Reverse Culture Shock</h1><p id="d846">Culture shock taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be. I didn’t expect to have reverse culture shock when I finally came back to the U.S. Recently I’ve been back in the U.S visiting family. I had been told by a few French friends that there is a phenomenon known as “reverse culture shock” that happens to expats who have lived a considerable amount of time abroad. Just like I didn’t think culture shock would affect me, I also didn’t think I would experience reverse culture shock in the U.S. I did. It was fun to realize that some of my beliefs and what I considered normal had changed because I lived in France for a good amount of time. The U.S will always be my country, and I’m definitely a Midwestern American girl… but I now have the opportunity to see my country in a whole new way that wasn’t possible until I moved to France.</p><figure id="fa0e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*HRN2GFz7kS3WRihA"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@alexradelich?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Alex Radel

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ich</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h1 id="8760">Ready to go back and create my new normal</h1><p id="7778">Now, I’m heading back to France. After living between these two beautiful countries, I wonder what new discoveries I will make about myself and the world around me. I still feel like a foreigner in France trying to make her way… but I have a few more French ways of seeing life, habits, and mannerisms to guide me this time around. This time I’m also expecting the surprise and new lessons to learn. Living abroad has taught me that there are many ways to experience life. There is no one truth or one way of seeing things. Now, I have multiple to pick and choose from. I feel grateful to all the people who have taught me such valuable lessons both while living abroad and in the U.S. There is so much to learn.</p><p id="318a"><i>Love to read? Consider becoming a member! You’ll get full access to every story on Medium. Your membership also directly supports other writers and me on the platform. If you use my<a href="https://josietimberlake.medium.com/membership"> link</a>, I earn a small commission. Thank you, and happy reading!</i></p><div id="9977" class="link-block"> <a href="https://josietimberlake.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Josie Timberlake</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>josietimberlake.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*0t8D0mvGALlAm4sJ)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

I’m Moving To Europe

I have been dreaming of living abroad ever since I was a young, bright-eyed teenager. Growing up, I was told how the best money spent was money spent on travel. My parents were definitely right in this belief. Any time I have spent time abroad was time well spent. I feel that I’ve learned so much more about life living with people who have different habits, beliefs, and opinions than me, more than I ever could from a book, a film, or a lecture. (Though I do appreciate all of these forms of learning as well, don’t get me wrong! ) After dreaming of living abroad, watching endless Travel Youtube videos, and studying languages in preparation for my adventures for so many years, at the age of 22, I finally got the chance to study abroad in France.

Culture Shock

As I said before, I studied French before moving. I didn’t want to be the classic American who only speaks English and expects everyone to speak English with them. For some reason, I thought the fact that I spoke French would eliminate any chance of me experiencing culture shock. Boy, was I wrong! I believe that any person who lives abroad for a reasonable amount of time (I’m not talking about a two-week vacation) will experience culture shock. I remember feeling fearful at first. Yet, culture shock is a great experience to go through. I mean, it’s confusing and makes you feel nervous that every action you make could be considered rude in your new country… But it’s great because it teaches you that there is no such thing as “normal”! Each country has its own social rules, habits, and culture that people abide by.

Reverse Culture Shock

Culture shock taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be. I didn’t expect to have reverse culture shock when I finally came back to the U.S. Recently I’ve been back in the U.S visiting family. I had been told by a few French friends that there is a phenomenon known as “reverse culture shock” that happens to expats who have lived a considerable amount of time abroad. Just like I didn’t think culture shock would affect me, I also didn’t think I would experience reverse culture shock in the U.S. I did. It was fun to realize that some of my beliefs and what I considered normal had changed because I lived in France for a good amount of time. The U.S will always be my country, and I’m definitely a Midwestern American girl… but I now have the opportunity to see my country in a whole new way that wasn’t possible until I moved to France.

Ready to go back and create my new normal

Now, I’m heading back to France. After living between these two beautiful countries, I wonder what new discoveries I will make about myself and the world around me. I still feel like a foreigner in France trying to make her way… but I have a few more French ways of seeing life, habits, and mannerisms to guide me this time around. This time I’m also expecting the surprise and new lessons to learn. Living abroad has taught me that there are many ways to experience life. There is no one truth or one way of seeing things. Now, I have multiple to pick and choose from. I feel grateful to all the people who have taught me such valuable lessons both while living abroad and in the U.S. There is so much to learn.

Love to read? Consider becoming a member! You’ll get full access to every story on Medium. Your membership also directly supports other writers and me on the platform. If you use my link, I earn a small commission. Thank you, and happy reading!