In the blog last week , we explored key areas of personal development arising from the sojourn experience. This week, we will shift the focus to examine enhanced professional development abilities that are immediately applicable, relevant, and valued by employers in the home context. Professional development abilities The experience of successfully completing an extended sojourn overseas inevitably results in a range of enhanced professional abilities that are immediately tra

In the blog last week , we explored a general overview of personal and professional development factors that can be shaped by living overseas for an extended period. This week we will focus on some typical examples of enhanced personal abilities that are relevant and immediately applicable for the returnee in the home context. Examples of sojourn personal development issues The experience of successfully managing an extended sojourn in an unfamiliar cultural environment will

In the blog last week , we evaluated several practical strategies that could help returnee sojourners to minimise re-entry challenges. This week we will begin to explore key areas of personal and professional development acquired while living successfully for an extended period in a host cultural context. Reflecting on personal and professional abilities One of the most significant benefits of living overseas for an extended period is the opportunity to develop a unique and d

In the blog last week , we examined an approach to systematically planning both the exit from the host nation and the return home. This week, we will evaluate several practical strategies that help returnee sojourners minimise typical challenges that can arise during the re-entry adaptation phases. The emotional challenge of the return home Several sojourners have described the initial re-entry into the home context as being a period of grieving. This uncomfortable experience

In the blog last week , we explored the key phases of the re-entry adjustment experience. This week we will review one approach based on the Johari Window that can facilitate effective planning when both exiting from the host nation and returning to the home context. Adaptation and application to the planning challenge After any extended period living overseas, planning the departure and re-entry home can be a daunting experience that typically requires several months to comp

In the blog last week , we explored a general overview of the re-entry home experience after an extended period of living overseas, together with some of the most frequently reported challenges faced by returnee sojourners. This week we shall focus on examining the key phases of the return adaptation process. Reviewing the key phases of the return experience With two notable exceptions at the outset and concluding stages, the 7 key phases of the re-entry home process are comp

In the blog last week , we initially defined the concept of reverse or re-entry shock. After this we explored several factors that can influence both potential exposure to such unwelcome surprises and the possible intensity of any encounter. This week we shall begin by focusing on a general overview of the return home experience and then review some of the commonly reported challenges by returnees commencing with the fascinating topic of reverse homesickness. An overview of

In the blog last week , we explored a brief introductory overview of the W-Curve model of cross-cultural adaptation. This week, we need to first define the concept of reverse or re-entry shock. After this, we shall critically review several factors that can influence both potential exposure to reverse shock and the possible intensity of this experience should it arise. Defining reverse or re-entry shock Reverse or re-entry shock is a significant challenge encountered by some

In the blog last week , we reviewed the final step in the U-Curve adaptation sequence known as the mastery phase. This week, we will...

In the blog last week , we explored the steps required to achieve the recovery phase of the adaptation process when living overseas for an extended period. Now, this week, we shall define the meaning of the final phase of mastering the host cultural context while also evaluating the reasons why many sojourners never attain this level of cross-cultural competency. Challenges to the achievement of cultural mastery Not everyone committed to any new developmental experience arch

In the blog last week , we focused on the initial steps of recovery from culture clash, the motivation to re-evaluate the context, and then making a commitment to adapt perceptions, value judgements, and behaviour. This week we will move on to defining what is meant by the recovery phase including an exploration of some simple practical techniques that can aid this process. What is meant by the recovery phase? While the concepts together with the relative positioning of the

In the blog last week , we examined the meaning, causes, and some of the consequences of culture shock. This week, we will move further into the U-Curve adaptation process by exploring the recovery phase. However, as this stage is typically determined by some personal commitment to readjust behaviour in the host context, we must initially examine the concept of culture clash that is the most frequent trigger of the need for significant change. The meaning, causes, and conseq

In the blog last week , we explored some of the negative consequences arising from the initial honeymoon experience when entering an unfamiliar cultural context. We focused specifically on the potentially debilitating encounter with the progression from overstimulation to sensory overload. This week, we will examine the concept, causes, and some of the consequences of culture shock. Finally, we shall briefly review an alternative model of cultural adaptation known as the J-Cu

In the blog last week , we explored an overview of the U-Curve process of cultural adaptation when living overseas for extended periods by briefly reviewing the four key phases known respectively as the Honeymoon, Shock, Recovery, and Mastery. This week, we will take a closer look at the initial Honeymoon period focusing specifically on the potential threat arising from overstimulation that can lead to the debilitating experience of sensory overload. The Honeymoon phase and e

In the blog last week , we concluded our exploration of the critical importance of learning more about the contrasting cultural values of our domestic and the new host nation when planning to live overseas. The English-speaking nations (ESNs) were selected as an example of a domestic or home context while the Confucian and Muslim national clusters were examined as reflecting common expat destinations. This week, we will attempt to gain an initial exploratory overview of anoth

In the blog last week , we completed a brief examination of key cross-cultural models that included an investigation of how contrasting behavioural expectations and values that distinguish global societies evolved over time. This week we begin a new series exploring how to manage living successfully overseas in a new cultural context. Consequently, we shall periodically consider the application of some of the insights gained during the previous series such as understanding t

In the blog this week, we will explore the issue of cross-cultural communication shock that needs to be anticipated prior to studying or...

This week we will explore one of the most frequently reported experiences that unexpectantly, perhaps even surprisingly, can trigger a...

In the previous post, we explored the more general issue of culture shock that, at least to some extent, can be experienced by students...

In this new blog series, we will be exploring some of the common challenges faced by students during the early stage of studying at an...