Here’s an idea that’s a little out of the box… but as a coach sometimes you need try something different and see how it lands. I’m going to use pistachios as an analogy to give some ideas on how to help a friend navigate reverse-culture shock.
Sometimes when helping your friends return home or walk through reverse-culture shock you might feel like you have to break through their "shell" or walls they've put up protecting their heart and emotions.
I want to encourage you to stay with them through it!
Here are some ideas on how you can care for them:
Ask them questions about living abroad like...
big moments or mundane days & routines
the culture & people they met
things they appreciate about their home abroad
Take time to...
look at their pictures and videos
hear their stories
ask what they may need during this time
Try to...
cook a favorite meal of theirs and share it with them
go to a restaurant that serves food where they were living abroad
learn to cook food together from the place they lived abroad
Anticipate...
what they may need- if that's space, a listening ear, a fun activity, etc
they won't be the same as they were before and assure them that's ok and normal
they will need time to grieve what they are leaving abroad
Save this post or share with someone who is walking through reverse-culture shock with a friend or loved one.
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