Burn Up or Splash Down: Surviving the Culture Shock of Re-Entry

by Marion Knell

Overview

Just like a space shuttle struggles and strains to re-enter the earth's atmosphere, so those returning from living overseas can find themselves confused and in a state of panic at coming home. While people anticipate that going overseas will require major changes in their lifestyles and thinking, few anticipate the difficulties they will face upon return. Intended to aid the re-entry process, this encouraging, and insightful book deals with these important subjects:

• adapting to the passport culture
• identifying areas of potential struggle
• dealing with the emotional challenges
• finding a new job, a new place to live, learning the social mores
• returning is not coming home it is leaving home
• facilitating a smooth transition for those on the receiving end

Expatriates, missionaries, mission executives, mission pastors, mission communities, and supporters interested in easing the re-entry experience will benefit greatly from this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830858644
Publisher:	IVP
Publication date:	01/04/2012
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	429 KB

About the Author

Marion Knell has traveled and worked with families overseas, especially in the Arab world. She works as a family crosscultural consultant with business, humanitarian and Christian companies by preparing both adults and children for international assignments and debriefing them upon their return.

Marion Knell has traveled and worked with families overseas, especially in the Arab world. She works as a family crosscultural consultant with business, humanitarian and Christian companies by preparing both adults and children for international assignments and debriefing them upon their return.

Table of Contents

Global Nomads: Surviving the Burn
Introduction     3
Re-Entry: What Is It?     7
Reverse Culture Shock     9
Change and Transition     11
Variables of Re-Entry     15
Re-Entry Stress     19
Sources of Stress     21
Signs of Cultural Stress     22
Coping with Re-Entry Stress     30
Preparing to Re-enter     35
Educating Yourself and Others     36
Saying Goodbye     38
Knowing Yourself     40
Having Realistic Expectations     42
Evaluating the Experience     43
Relocating     47
Identity     47
Employment     48
Finances     52
Housing     53
Family Needs     55
Social Skills     57
Spiritual Needs     59
Debriefing     63
Definition of Debriefing     64
The Use of Debriefing     66
How to Debrief     67
The Power of Debriefing     69
Children and Debriefing     70
How to Follow Up     72
Judging the Benefits     74
Third Culture Kids:Catching the Waves
Introduction     77
Who Am I?     81
Definition of Third Culture Kid     82
Benefits of the TCK Experience     85
Challenges of the TCK Experience     86
Discovering Yourself     88
Putting Your Life Back Together     90
Making Choices     93
The Emotional Roller Coaster     95
Revisiting the Past     97
Processing Emotions     101
Nuts and Bolts     111
How to Fit In     112
Finances, Feasts, and phones     115
Learning the Language     120
Choosing the Right School     123
Stamping Out Worry     129
Helpful TCK Websites     132
The Third Culture Community     133
Citizens of the World     135
Bridging the Gap     137
The Voyage of Self-discovery     139
Questions and Answers     141
On the Receiving End
Introduction     147
The Reception Committee     149
A Warm Welcome     150
A Good Listener     151
Practical Knowledge     153
Social and Cultural Illiteracy      155
Practical Provision     157
Financial Provision     158
Advice from Returning Expatriates     159
The Pilgrim Community     161
Pilgrim's Progress     164
TCKs in the Bible     167
The "Pedestal" Mentality     171
Moving On     175
Notes     181