My friend Basil returned to the U.S. last Friday, and after 3 years of living in South Korea, is suddenly in West Virginia about to start graduate school. He sent me an email with an interesting line about the subtle complexities of cultural re-adaptation: he writes, "I am trying to remember to not bow or give money to people in a Korean way."
I suspect that when I get back the U.S. in September, I'll be under similar pressures. There are small things with body language and composure that you find yourself doing, after living here — even if you never manage to control the language, really. I remember that each time I've lived abroad in the past (Mexico, Chile), returning to the U.S. is always more of a culture shock than the initial departure. I wonder why that is? And, is it just me, or do others have that experience too?