The Return Blues: How to Successfully Manage the End of Your Experience Abroad?
Going abroad for an adventure is an enriching experience, filled with discovery, new encounters, and learning.
But once the stay comes to an end, returning to your home country can be unsettling. This phenomenon, often referred to as "return blues," is a reality for many expatriates, Erasmus students, and international volunteers.
Here are some tips to help you navigate this transition smoothly.
Understanding the Return Blues
Coming back home can sometimes be accompanied by a feeling of emptiness. The excitement of discovery is replaced by a routine that may seem dull in comparison. Your loved ones may not fully grasp the impact this experience had on you, and it can be frustrating not to be able to share everything you’ve lived through. This period of readjustment may also come with a loss of bearings and persistent nostalgia.
Taking the Time to Accept Your Emotions
Feeling nostalgic or lacking enthusiasm after such an adventure is completely normal. Instead of fighting these emotions, accept them and take the time to analyze how this experience has changed you. Keeping a journal, talking with others who have gone through a similar situation, or revisiting your memories can help you better understand and appreciate this transition.
Staying in Touch with the People You Met
The connections you made abroad don’t disappear just because you’ve returned home. Keeping in touch with your friends and acquaintances allows you to extend the experience and continue sharing moments together, even from a distance. Social media, video calls, and future meet-ups can help maintain these relationships and keep a link with your host country.
For example, I stayed very close with my Erasmus+ roommate. She visited me in Paris, I went to see her in the Netherlands, we traveled together to Jordan, and I’m even invited to her wedding in a few weeks!
Showcasing Your Experience
Your time abroad has shaped you, both personally and professionally. It’s important to highlight this experience in your journey. Think about the skills you’ve gained, how they can benefit you, and how you can showcase them in your CV or future projects.
Setting New Goals
Coming back doesn’t mean giving up the spirit of adventure that fueled you abroad. Use that energy to start new projects: learn a new language, join a volunteer organization, plan your next trip, or attend international events. Setting a new goal helps channel the desire for adventure and transform nostalgia into motivation.
Sharing Your Experience
Talking about your experience can be a great way to make sense of your return. You can write a blog, share advice on social media, get involved in associations, or mentor others who are planning to go abroad. This not only keeps your adventure alive through others' perspectives but also allows you to continue learning from it.
Turning Your Return into an Opportunity
Rather than seeing your return as an ending, consider it a new beginning. This experience has changed you, and you can use what you’ve learned to approach your future from a fresh perspective. Staying open to opportunities, continuing to explore, and maintaining a curious and dynamic mindset will help you make the most of this transition.
The return blues is a normal phase, but it can be transformed into a positive experience. By taking the time to understand your emotions, valuing your experience, and setting new goals, you can approach this transition with confidence and enthusiasm.
Have you already completed your exchange or volunteer program? If so, what are your best tips for overcoming the return blues?
Lilas, OLS Community Manager — French