US to Hyderabad: Woman Opens Up on 'Reverse Culture Shock'

Returning home after spending years abroad can feel comforting, but it can also come with unexpected changes. A Hyderabad woman who moved back to India after living in the US for five years has spoken about the small things that made her realise she was going through “reverse culture shock.” Taking to Instagram, Ishika Agarwal shared how her health, social life, wardrobe and daily routine all felt different after returning home. She said one of the biggest surprises was how often she started falling sick after coming back. Agarwal joked that she had lived in India for 17 years before moving abroad, yet her body was reacting as if it had never experienced the country before. Her social life also felt very different. She said that during college, meeting friends was simple and spontaneous. But now, catching up with someone feels like planning a full outing, with schedules and timing needing to be coordinated in advance. Her clothes created another problem. After spending five years in a different climate, much of her wardrobe no longer felt suitable for Hyderabad. She joked that her old clothes seemed to be asking whether they would ever return to the US. One thing she misses most is the freedom to simply go for a walk, especially at night. In the US, she said she could put on her headphones, walk around without any plan, clear her mind and return home. Only after moving back did she realise how much that routine had become part of her life. At the same time, returning home also brought back the comfort of family. After years of managing everything independently, she joked that she quickly became dependent on her mother again. Reflecting on the experience, Agarwal said everything around her still feels familiar — the city, food, home and people — but she herself has changed. She said that perhaps this is what coming home after many years really feels like: the place may be the same, but the person returning is no longer exactly the same. In her Instagram post, Agarwal said reverse culture shock appeared in unexpected ways — friends now need advance planning, her wardrobe no longer makes sense, and even her immune system seems to be struggling with the change. Her video connected with several social media users who said they had experienced similar feelings after returning to India. One user who had spent 12 years in the US described the transition as anxiety-inducing, while others called her experience highly relatable. For many Indians returning home after years abroad, Agarwal’s experience highlights a simple reality — coming back home can feel familiar and strange at the same time.

 

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