Part 03 | Reverse culture shock
I lived in the country for two years and then it was time to go back home. But, what nobody ever seems to mention is reverse culture shock. I didn't even know it was a thing until I came home from my two years abroad. And let me tell you, it was a real shock. I thought that I would come back as exactly the same person. How could I possibly change when I was just seeing new places and cultures? But of course, that’s not how it works. With each new place I visited, I changed a little bit. And while I appreciated all of these things about myself, I also realized that I was no longer the same person who had left home. Part of me had been left behind in all of the places I’d been. A part of me was now made up of all the new experiences I’d had. So when people ask if I’ve changed since travelling, my answer is always YES. And in some ways, I think that’s a good thing.
It was really hard for me to come back because I felt like I didn't belong there anymore. I had changed, and my view of the world had changed. It was a difficult time for me, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life again. I knew from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to travel more. After a lot of thinking, and this time with guidance from my best friend I decided to apply for a working holiday visa to New Zealand.
The thing was that for Mexico there were only 100 visas a year to go to New Zealand, I needed to fight to get one, I didn't have another plan so I needed one visa. And guess what? Yes, I get one of them. I was 1 of 100! I bought a one-way ticket, and I was on my way to start a new adventure. Once again by myself, and without any family waiting for me. I had no idea what to expect. But I was ready for anything. This time it was even harder because New Zealand is literally on the other side of the world. It was a 19-hour flight. I always say that in New Zealand we live in the future. We are 18 hours ahead of my home country, which means that when I talk to my family it is always tomorrow for them.
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