Comments on: 5 things NOT to do after returning from abroad http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kim http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-100633 Kim Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:25:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-100633 When I got back from studying abroad, I didn't tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it's much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It's also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more! When I got back from studying abroad, I didn’t tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it’s much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It’s also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more!

]]> By: Kim http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-100634 Kim Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:25:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-100634 When I got back from studying abroad, I didn't tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it's much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It's also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more! When I got back from studying abroad, I didn’t tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it’s much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It’s also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more!

]]> By: Kim http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-100635 Kim Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:25:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-100635 When I got back from studying abroad, I didn't tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it's much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It's also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more! When I got back from studying abroad, I didn’t tell people (other than my immediate family) about it unless they asked something specific. I find it’s much more fun to reveal little stories over time than gush. It’s also interesting how much people relate to #5. I actually experienced the reverse. Before I left, I *hated* the US. But while I was abroad I realized how much appreciation I had for the little things that make it home. Going abroad made me love both countries even more!

]]> By: Study in Cyprus http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-98789 Study in Cyprus Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:43:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-98789 I think these are great recommendations for students returning from study abroad.  Student testimonials are very effective in promoting study abroad opportunities to others.  What better way to increase interest on campus while the returning student continues to reflect and learn from the experience. I think these are great recommendations for students returning from
study abroad.  Student testimonials are very effective in promoting
study abroad opportunities to
others.  What better way to increase interest
on campus while the returning student continues to reflect and learn
from the experience.

]]> By: mattnnz http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-79523 mattnnz Fri, 13 May 2011 12:58:55 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-79523 think there should be a part two to this post as well, a 5 GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW WHEN ABROAD: 1. adopt to the local customs as best you can 2. manage your noise level when speaking, most places do not squeal like N. Americans do 3. Try to eat lots of local cuisine and not only McDonalds 4. Don’t walk around with your iphones/blackberrys etc… if you are in a much poorer country, its braggy and makes you a target for theift 5. Enjoy yourself, relax and go with the flow, dont take your stress with you. I'm not sure where people get the idea that N. Americans, especially the US speak loudly. I'd say we are about middle of the road. I have been living in Vietnam for a bit over a year and I can tell you that the Vietnamese and Chinese generally have a loud speaking register and are inclined to yelling to each other across rooms (it simply isn't rude here). The Australians, Kiwis and British seem to have roughly the same speaking register as Americans. The Nigerians seem to be a bit louder than the Americans but not as loud as the Vietnamese. I don't like stereotypes but this seems to be what each group is on average. Seems like a quarter of the population in Hanoi has a iphone3+ and they don't mind who sees. BTW: A McDonalds burger wouldn't be half bad every once in a while. I'll probably get a Big Mac among other things when I go back to the US to visit think there should be a part two to this post as well, a 5 GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW WHEN ABROAD:
1. adopt to the local customs as best you can
2. manage your noise level when speaking, most places do not squeal like N. Americans do
3. Try to eat lots of local cuisine and not only McDonalds
4. Don’t walk around with your iphones/blackberrys etc… if you are in a much poorer country, its braggy and makes you a target for theift
5. Enjoy yourself, relax and go with the flow, dont take your stress with you.

I’m not sure where people get the idea that N. Americans, especially the US speak loudly. I’d say we are about middle of the road. I have been living in Vietnam for a bit over a year and I can tell you that the Vietnamese and Chinese generally have a loud speaking register and are inclined to yelling to each other across rooms (it simply isn’t rude here). The Australians, Kiwis and British seem to have roughly the same speaking register as Americans. The Nigerians seem to be a bit louder than the Americans but not as loud as the Vietnamese. I don’t like stereotypes but this seems to be what each group is on average.

Seems like a quarter of the population in Hanoi has a iphone3+ and they don’t mind who sees.

BTW: A McDonalds burger wouldn’t be half bad every once in a while. I’ll probably get a Big Mac among other things when I go back to the US to visit

]]> By: James http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-74952 James Wed, 11 May 2011 17:26:39 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-74952 Nice job, and I love the part about seeking out the exotic at home. After returning from my last trip to Guatemala, I noticed a little nitch of store right here in Tampa. It looked so much like the pulperia's I'd left in Puerto Quetal...but get this. I drive by it all of the time and have yet to go in there. I'm goin in today, thanks!, Nice job, and I love the part about seeking out the exotic at home. After returning from my last trip to Guatemala, I noticed a little nitch of store right here in Tampa. It looked so much like the pulperia’s I’d left in Puerto Quetal…but get this. I drive by it all of the time and have yet to go in there. I’m goin in today, thanks!,

]]> By: Baxter Jackson http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-75047 Baxter Jackson Sun, 01 May 2011 02:46:51 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-75047 In short, don't be a bore and remember that is a quality problem. In short, don’t be a bore and remember that is a quality problem.

]]> By: darmabum http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-75043 darmabum Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:47:35 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-75043 Alix - Your points are well taken, especially those regarding the reactions to your journey by those who stayed at home. It's my thinking that unless those people have traveled too, then "understanding" and "tolerance" may be hard to come by. Something that might help is for the returnee to to share with those who stayed how difficult it is. I don't know if you've done that upon return, shared with them how hard it is, sometimes, to fit back into life "at home", but that might open conversation in that direction. The fact that someone, a new colleague, was the one to ask might suggest that those closest to you might be as confused as you are regarding your return. Alix – Your points are well taken, especially those regarding the reactions to your journey by those who stayed at home. It’s my thinking that unless those people have traveled too, then “understanding” and “tolerance” may be hard to come by. Something that might help is for the returnee to to share with those who stayed how difficult it is. I don’t know if you’ve done that upon return, shared with them how hard it is, sometimes, to fit back into life “at home”, but that might open conversation in that direction.

The fact that someone, a new colleague, was the one to ask might suggest that those closest to you might be as confused as you are regarding your return.

]]> By: Alix http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-75005 Alix Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:02:57 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-75005 ps - And it is such a joy to be asked by friends and family about your trip (even if you already wrote many things by blog and email!) and to feel genuine interest. A couple of years ago, it was not someone I knew but a new colleague, who, each morning, as we both arrived earlier than most others at the office, asked me to show him a few photos of where I had just been. It was so nice! ps – And it is such a joy to be asked by friends and family about your trip (even if you already wrote many things by blog and email!) and to feel genuine interest. A couple of years ago, it was not someone I knew but a new colleague, who, each morning, as we both arrived earlier than most others at the office, asked me to show him a few photos of where I had just been. It was so nice!

]]> By: Alix http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/#comment-75004 Alix Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:57:56 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4386#comment-75004 Hi, These are nice tips, and yes I am guilty of all of these at varying degrees (and for #5 it's not the U.S. since I'm not American). I do try to keep in moderation, as has been said in comments, but it's a work in progress! In addition, I do think it would be nice to have some tips on welcoming back people who have been travelling. Family and friends should also have some understanding (and tolerance) for the returnee's enthusiasm, as well as the fact that be it after 4 months or years, they might genuinely miss the place they just left. And that it can be hard to find your place again in a place everyone assumes is the home you are glad to have returned to. I've been happy to come back, but it has been tough too. Hi,

These are nice tips, and yes I am guilty of all of these at varying degrees (and for #5 it’s not the U.S. since I’m not American). I do try to keep in moderation, as has been said in comments, but it’s a work in progress!

In addition, I do think it would be nice to have some tips on welcoming back people who have been travelling. Family and friends should also have some understanding (and tolerance) for the returnee’s enthusiasm, as well as the fact that be it after 4 months or years, they might genuinely miss the place they just left. And that it can be hard to find your place again in a place everyone assumes is the home you are glad to have returned to. I’ve been happy to come back, but it has been tough too.

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