Investigating motivations and effects of reverse culture shock of Singaporean undergraduates’ exchange experiences

• Main Author: Sim, Tricia Ann
• Other Authors: Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62438
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research investigates Singapore undergraduates’ exchange experiences through examining their motivations behind their participation and to ascertain if these students experienced any degree of reverse culture shock upon their return. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus groups, this study explores in depth on the coping strategies these students engaged in when navigating their return to Singapore. While there is substantial literature about culture shock in Singapore regarding sojourners’ assimilation into host countries, there is a research gap on the reverse culture shock experienced by these sojourners upon their return. It is found that students have different coping strategies and these categories can result in very a variety of outcomes. This research concludes that there is a need for post-trip programmes to ensure that the extent of reverse culture shock is minimized.