While expatriates are nearly always offered relocation training by their companies, repatriation (the process of returning from a period spent out of the country) is often overlooked. That expatriates might have trouble adjusting back to their home countries after time abroad is not on the agenda of most employers. However, expatriates often struggle to feel comfortable once back in their home countries and offices and a sense of dissatisfaction ensues. They are left struggling to fit in, unable to communicate effectively, and feeling unappreciated. I must admit, in regards to my own stay away from home, I’ve been guilty of ignoring re-entry as well. Until learning about repatriation I’d given little thought to the impact my short stay in London might have upon my return to California.

Successful re-entry by working professionals usually includes three components: assessing the success of the assignment abroad, making goals regarding a new position in the home country, and receiving a briefing on changes in that country’s political and cultural atmosphere.

I believe by understanding these elements of effective re-entry I can maximize the benefit I get out of living and interning in London. As I’ve been following the news in America and have had plenty of contact with friends and family, I don’t anticipate a struggle in adapting back to American culture. Also, the short length of my stay renders cultural adjustment less pertinent. Thus, making some tangible goals for my return and analyzing my success as an intern and student will be the main focus of my re-entry exercise.

Evaluating my success as an intern and student seems a very complicated task. Should I judge success based on class grades or work reviews? Should I measure it according to goals I had set before coming to London? Or does my success depend on new skills and relationships I’ve developed? Perhaps a brief look at each of these issues will give me an idea of what has been accomplished.

Achievements

Upon coming to London I wanted to gain work experience and immerse myself in the local culture. After two months at Global Excellence and plenty of travel around the UK I feel like these things have been achieved. I’ve also received good marks in my classes here, and produced work I am proud of in the office. Furthermore, I’ve made good friends and networked professionally. As for new skills, I believe I now look at matters with a more globally aware perspective and analyze situations with an open mind. Overall, I view my stay as a complete success.

Goals

With my accomplishments in London in mind, I am now able to produce specific objectives for my return home: With my newly acquired work experience I hope to be more marketable as a potential employee and find a rewarding position. Academically, I hope to be an improved, more culturally sensitive writer with the aspiration of publishing a report I’ve been working on for the last few months. Socially, I aim to be a more accessible, tolerant individual; perhaps someone my friends feel more comfortable talking with. These goals give me a sense of purpose and direction.

While my time abroad has lasted only a short time and my thoughts about repatriation are limited, the value in assessing re-entry is quite apparent. That expatriates often spend a number of years in a foreign country and return home without any reflection or calculated expectations is quite problematic. My brief reflection exercise afforded me a feeling of comfort regarding my return home and a sense of accomplishment concerning my stay in London.

In order to maximize gains from living and working abroad, relocation training alone is insufficient. Often, upon returning home, expatriates find themselves bereft of a desirable career path and unclear about how to channel their newly acquired skills and mindsets. Re-entry training, even in its most basic form, allows an individual to fully utilize the tools obtained while abroad. Even for a college student participating in a short summer internship, analysis focused on returning home is a key component of living abroad.

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