Episode 38: I’m Back, But Not Belonging
For many immigrants and expats, the idea of returning home is filled with excitement — seeing family, eating familiar foods, revisiting childhood memories. But what happens when “home” feels more foreign than the country you left behind?
Returning to your home country isn’t just a plane ride — it’s a psychological journey. Some research finds that cultural re-entry and reintegration can include, boredom, reverse homesickness, changed relationships, alienation, and a sense that no one quite understands what you’ve been through.
Being from two places can feel like being from nowhere — or from everywhere. The key? Accepting that change is inevitable and that your experience, while complicated, is valid.
Staying present and honouring both your “heart country” and your chosen country is where peace begins. Returning home is rarely simple. But in sharing our stories, we create space for truth, identity, and healing. Whether you're on the journey or just starting to reflect, know that you're not alone.