Navigating the Re-entry Journey by Shonna Ingram, Phd

 

General Books on Reverse Culture Shock for Missionaries/Expats

Burn Up or Splash Down by Marion Knell

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Good overview of missionary re-entry, as well as, how to transition children back to the USA.

Reentry: Making the Transition from Missions to Life at Home by Peter Jordan

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Written by a YWAM missionary, this book offers a look at re-entry issues specific to missionary community.

The Art of Coming Home by Craig Storti 

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A good overview of the repatriation transition written for a broad range of people including expats, military families, exchange students, missionaries, etc.  This is a very thorough and comprehensive look at reentry and reverse culture shock issues.

Homeward Bound:  A spouses guide to repatriation by Robin Pascoe

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This is a funny good read from written from the perspective of an expat spouse.  Good thoughts about moving back to the USA and making a new life in your new home.

Looming Transitions:  Starting and Finishing Well in Cross Cultural Service by Amy Young

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This is a great book about Transitions.  Lots of really practical tips.

After the Boxes are Unpacked by Susan Miller

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This book comes recommended as a good resource for anyone who is transitioning to a new place.  It is not specifically written for those moving back to the USA, but is for anyone making a new home in a new place.  This ministry also has community groups that you can find out about through their website. 

How To Survive Reverse Culture Shock: Understand It, Feel Better and Get Your Life Back! by Elena Nebreda 

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This book is written primarily for the expat community.  It includes a brief workbook.  At first glance, it has helpful information, but was not written by a native English speaker so can be awkwardly worded in places.

Avoiding Burn-up on Re-entry: Mission Critical Essays for Expats & Employers by Linda Fraser Jacobson

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I have no personal experience with this book, but it’s on my list of “books to read.”

Strangers at Home: Essays on the Effects of Living Overseas and Coming “Home” to a Strange Land by Carolyn D. Smith.

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This book appears to have good reviews, but be currently out of print. Another one for my reading list.

Workbooks: 
Melissa Chaplin has put together a very complete workbook to help you process your reentry experience.  This workbook is designed for those who are looking to debrief their experience overseas.  The book also touches on processing your spiritual journey during re-entry.  This is not one to read, but a book to do.  It is a well thought out, complete, debriefing tool.  Check it out:  Returning Well.

Books on Helping Others Process Reentry and Reverse Culture Shock
The Reentry Team: Caring for Your Returning Missionaries by Neal Pirolo

This book focuses on helping churches and supporters at home know how to care for missionaries moving back to the USA.

Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: Insights for Counseling the Globally Mobile by Lois Bushong

This is a great book for therapists focusing specifically on counseling those who have lived internationally.

Books on Helping Children with Transition and Reverse Culture Shock
Third Culture Kids:  Growing Up Among Worlds by David C Pollock

A classic on TCK’s.  A must read.

Emotional Resilience and the Expat Child: practical storytelling techniques that will strengthen the global family by Julia Simens

 

The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition by Tina L Quick