Moving Back Home After Living Abroad for 20 Years: The Unexpected Struggles and Surprising Benefits

Moving back home after living abroad for 20 years is a complex journey, filled with mixed emotions, challenges, and surprises. At first glance, it may seem like a joyful reunion with friends and family, a return to familiar surroundings, and a chance to reestablish roots. However, the experience is far from straightforward. The longer you’ve been away, the more pronounced the shifts in your perspective, and even the culture of your homeland, become.

One of the most startling aspects of moving back home is the reverse culture shock. After 20 years of adapting to a new culture, you’ve likely picked up habits, values, and a way of life that no longer align perfectly with the norms back home. The feeling of being a foreigner in your own country can be unsettling. Whether it's how people approach work-life balance, the pace of life, or even everyday social interactions, your mindset may have evolved in ways that no longer align with those around you.

This transition period is often emotionally draining. You may find that your friends have moved on with their lives, and while they might welcome you back warmly, the depth of connection you once shared might have faded. You’ve lived a life they can’t fully relate to, and as a result, you might feel isolated despite being surrounded by familiar faces. This can be particularly challenging if you’ve left behind a robust social network in your host country.

Another hurdle is the career adjustment. The job market may have shifted in the past two decades, and your qualifications and experience may not seamlessly translate back into the local employment landscape. What was once a promising career path in a foreign country might not hold the same value at home. Many returnees are often faced with the dilemma of starting from scratch or dealing with underemployment despite their vast experience.

On the flip side, returning home offers surprising benefits. You bring with you a wealth of global perspectives and adaptability that can be invaluable in both personal and professional contexts. You’ve learned to navigate different systems, communicate across cultures, and handle challenges that many of your peers back home have not experienced. This can give you a unique edge, particularly if you tap into industries or communities that value global experience.

In some cases, moving back home can also reignite old passions. After 20 years abroad, you may have forgotten the things you once loved about your country—whether it’s the cuisine, nature, or cultural traditions. Coming home can offer you a new lens to appreciate the richness of your heritage, and you may find joy in rediscovering these facets of your homeland. Reconnection with family can also be deeply rewarding, especially after years of maintaining long-distance relationships.

Lastly, one of the unexpected joys of returning home is the opportunity for personal growth. Adapting back to your home culture, after having expanded your worldview for 20 years, can challenge you in unexpected ways. It forces you to confront not only the changes in your environment but also the changes within yourself. This can lead to a deeper understanding of who you are, what you want, and how you can bridge the gap between your past and present selves.

Whether the challenges outweigh the benefits or vice versa, the experience of moving back home after two decades abroad is one that forces you to adapt, grow, and reflect. It’s a journey of rediscovery—of both your homeland and yourself.