| Summary: | The experiences of many sojourners returning home after living abroad has often resulted
in difficulties associated with reacculturation. Having conducted training for and experiencing
reentry myself on several occasions, I recognized how unprepared we are for the circumstances
which present themselves to us upon returning home. Reentry programs and studies in the past
have generally identified the causal effects and provided suggestions in an attempt to enhance
returnees' acculturation. Debriefing or reorientation workshops have been offered previous to
arrival home or within the first few months afterwards. However, the long term needs of the
individual returnee have not been examined.
The purpose, of this study was to investigate the long term needs of the individual
returnees which enable them to develop proactive strategies for successful reacculturation.
Using Collaborative Participatory Research, the returnee and I co-investigated Tanya's story.
We examined her transitional experiences as the story unfolded through the phases of
predeparture, arrival home and honeymoon period, adjustment and final integration. This
investigation consisted of nine 1.5 hour interviews. These occurred in three series, each
containing three interviews which were two to three months, five to six months, and nine to ten
months after the returnee's arrival home. Through self reflection and self assessment the
returnee was able to identify her own needs of readaptation and develop proactive coping
strategies. She was able to recognize that her difficult experiences were part of a growthful
experience and that her reacculturation is still on-going. The final chapter of this study briefly
examines and recommends further study for the issues of concern which have emerged as a
result of this investigation.
This study found that returnees can benefit from an ongoing exploration of their long
term needs preferably in co-operation with an experienced support person. Also that past values,
perceptions and life experiences are inextricably woven together to create a total experience for
the returnee. While returnees experiences are universally similar, they are at the same time
uniquely individual. Further research is needed to investigate the aspects of the long term
influences and effects of reentry. === Education, Faculty of === Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of === Graduate
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