Cross- cultural Communication This page intentionally left blank

Part of the problem is, of course, that those who have lived and worked 
abroad in another culture have developed as individuals because of their 
wider experiences. They have:
often operated with more responsibility – being, in effect, a ‘big fish in 
a small pond’;
developed wider interpersonal skills and hence confidence;
widened their experiences in terms of travel, language, social interac-
tion, etc.;
in many cases enjoyed a higher standard of living – possibly a large 
house/apartment, servants, an official car and other fringe benefits.
The challenges of repatriation include:
unrealistic expectations on returning to the home country;
the extent of change in the home country (increased cost of living, 
taxation, inflation, etc.);
a possible reduction in salary because of lack of overseas increments;
a need for coping skills to deal with reverse culture shock;
concerns about future professional career development after a period abroad.
Perhaps unrealistic expectations on return to the home country are the most 
difficult with which to come to terms. The following are some examples 
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120 Cross-Cultural Communication
of common perceptions that help explain the reason for this lack of realism. 
Ideally, many of these issues should be addressed prior to return:
I do not need professional help with repatriation: ‘I’m going home, there-
fore there will be no problems!’
My family will also find that returning home presents few problems.
Everything will be basically the same as when I left, so I will easily fit back 
into my own culture.
People back home are more efficient and courteous.
Everything is cleaner, better organized, safer and easier at home.
I will pick up my close friendships where I left off with them.
I’ll be better off financially when I return home.
People will be very interested to hear about my exciting experiences.
I expect some form of promotion on my return home because of my 
greater experience and my company will wish to apply what I have 
learned abroad.
Because I have been successful in my job abroad, I have every reason to 
be equally successful on my return.
My company will value my new skills and contacts highly and will wish 
to debrief me on these.
While I have been overseas, my organization has kept me in touch with 
head office developments.
In fact, the following quotation from Somerset Maugham’s The Gentleman 
in the Parlour still rings true for many who have spent substantial periods 
of time abroad: ‘When I go back I know I shall be out of it. We fellows who 
have spent some time out here always are.’
Repatriation issues which affect the whole family include the following: