Culture Shock 2.0

So I unwittingly decided to learn the hard way. Is this a new thing for me? Not really. I tend to do my research before jumping into anything. When I think that I am fully prepared and feeling as adventurous as anyone could be, I leap. However, life seems to think that there are additional lessons to learn that research can't teach me; that includes falling flat on my face sometimes.

Before returning to the US, I had researched my way through culture shock, expatriatism and repatriatism as those sent abroad return to their homeland. My family and few close friends stood by in an accepting and loving welcome, as I had prayed they would be. What I wasn't expecting, however, was for my homeland to not be waiting with open arms. Sure, I knew that my stories wouldn't be received by all with excitement, but rather jealousy and ignorance on a rare occasion, but that is not the hard part. The hard part is flying into a place so familiar but yet so changed. Life went on. It's as if I tripped into a novel halfway through; everyone knows the plot line and details and I am clueless but afraid to let anyone know. I suppose I could take the "fake it 'til you make it" road, but instead I choose the "dive in and become so busy that you don't notice the storyline they're following" road. After a few weeks of being back, however, it seems that I am reading a different book entirely; not only that, but it's written in a different language.

My eyes are different, my processes are different and my heart lies elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I beg of you, I really love my country. The United States of America is my home! My family is here, my school is here and my past is here. But is it so strange of me to consider picking up another book in a different land for awhile?

Problem (and answer) number two: I am in love. However, that is not the only reason why my heart is called abroad! I want to broaden my horizons so much so that I can make a valuable impact in my communities; those communities are not just within the boundaries of the wonderful US. I have pushed them to France, Germany, and who knows where else? I want to become knowledgeable in my field and gather experiences from all around the world. Also, I want to follow my heart. I want a family someday and a happy, healthy marriage to be a good example for my family, myself and my kids. I want to be ministering in three languages, cultivating a community and never stop learning. God is the only one who knows where and when I can and will accomplish these things, but He has laid them on my heart and soul and I will follow.

Door after door slammed in my face. After being locked inside that room of confusion and desperation, the windows are being thrown open to let the sunshine in and are beckoning me to climb through. I must confess to you all that one of those windows is painted with black, red and yellow and the other in a patriotic, three-striped, red, white and blue fashion. I don't know if I can crawl through both, but I sure plan on trying.



Culture shock 2.0: My homeland never moves, but I'm evolving.

Step One: Speed Bumps

Getting to France is truly more complicated than I first thought, though I suppose it is part of the whole experience to have to deal with international red tape and administration. To put it simply and without a lot of the drama that I experienced, I had an appointment and flights to LA (in order to visit the French Consulate to obtain my Long Stay Visa) before Campus France had finished processing my Campus France stuff. Thus, I was on the phone with the French Consulate for two weeks trying to get it fixed and expedited so that I could go to LA and apply for my Visa. As it turned out, it worked out at the very last second as in I ran from the plane in LA to the international terminal, rented the internet, printed the confirmation receipts and then took a $60 taxi to the consulate. I was almost an hour late for my appointment but they let me in and everything went a little more smoothly from there, thank God. Lesson learned? Give the international offices as much time as possible and you won’t have quite as many problems. When the problems come, as they will, don’t be afraid to ask for help and make a few phone calls. Above all, reassure yourself that if you can make if through the trouble, the trip will become so much more meaningful; a reward, if you will.