The possibility of returning to one’s country of origin serves as a solution to the difficulties encountered during the migrant’s acculturation process.
There are some circumstances in which the migrant cannot return, as is the case in exile. Emotionally, the inability to return acts as an additional burden on top of the integration difficulties. The fact that, mentally and in reality, they have no other option becomes apparent.
For other types of migration, the possibility of returning exists psychologically, so if the integration situation becomes very difficult, returning is always a viable option.
Returning is more complex than simply solving this problem because there is “reverse culture shock,” which is the psychological and emotional distress that can arise when a person returns to their country of origin after living abroad for an extended period and must “readjust” to their own culture, which is no longer so familiar.
The identity changes experienced in order to integrate into the host country cause a sense of strangeness when confronted again with the social norms, customs, and organization of their country of origin.
The migrant is not always aware of their own transformation and is surprised by the work of re-acculturation they must undertake in their own country.
In the return process, they must face a new grieving process for the life and relationships they built abroad, as well as for the person they were in that other country.
Their migration experience contributed to broadening their worldview; they learned another language, incorporated new customs, and their compatriots do not share this perspective.
There are feelings of confusion at not being able to easily integrate into their own culture and frustration at not feeling understood in this task. The person returning, and even their family, may mistakenly believe, “They’re here now, the integration process is over, you must be fine,” when in reality, the returning person is once again going through the acculturation process, but now without the idealized notion they had abroad of returning as a magic solution to their sense of alienation.
Psychologically, many dilemmas arise that revolve around the question of identity and belonging. In migration psychology, we accompany this profound process of return, moving beyond the superficial dichotomy of “are you from here or from there?” and addressing the complexity of what is called mestizaje, or complex cultural identity, or cultural duality.
A mixed identity can represent innovation, creativity, and evolution, although the individual and their environment may require a long process to positively accept this change.