So you have had your adventure, have many stories to tell, and have a nice tan to boot. But it is time to come back home. As a word of caution, this can often be as unsettling as when you first left for your trip.

One reason is culture shock, especially for longer trips. When you are immersed in another culture you quickly adapt and get used to its pace and viewpoints. You may even form local habits or ways of thinking. When coming home, you see your own country through a new light and you may not like what you see. You may question why your country works in the way it does. This is perfectly normal, however, for the first week or two it can be very disorienting.

Another reason you may feel unsettled when you come home is the difficulty of sharing your experiences with friends or family. Often words and even pictures don't convey well the adventures you have had and the impact it has had on you. You may feel disappointed when friends or family appear not to be interested or excited when you recount your tales. This is because in a short period of time you had experiences that had a large (and maybe life-altering) impact upon you while your friends/family were going on with their normal lives. This disconnect can make you feel isolated.

However, coming home you will be a much more of a rounded person and will be able to draw on the memories of your trip for the rest of your life.  In all, it is quite a good trade!

Happy Backpacking!

If you have comments or questions feel free to email Mike here