[ID:8917] Phew! At last, you're home. It's cozy, safe, predictable and full of familiar faces. You've anticipated your homecoming with a mixture of feelings from elation to regret. Your incredible journey is over... Or is it?

What is re-entry shock? 

Re-entry is the final (and often most difficult) stage of any international experience. Its impact is at least as profound as the cultural adaptation stage. And sometimes it catches travelers by surprise.

How does it differ from culture shock? 

When you were abroad, everything was new and exotic. It seemed natural that adaptation would take time. But when you return home, it seems like you ought to fit in straight away. So why does something feel off? Re-entry shock follows a similar pattern to culture shock, but can set in faster and be more intense and unpredictable. You might experience the stages unexpectedly, or out of order. It can take many months to recover from symptoms and feel energized again.

What to expect: 

• Feeling let down: You have a peculiar sense...