She simply wanted to share the wonderful events that had so changed her life. Now, back at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, Hoag concluded that not everyone, including good friends, wanted to hear about her adventures. Call it what you will, most every study-abroad student is affected by it one way or another. When you're overseas, the rules change. Unfortunately, Lazo says, there's only so much that can be done to alleviate it because each reaction is unique.
Students have to experience it for themselves and learn to get over it.
I just love the idea of having to adjust to a foreign culture, speak an unfamiliar language, and then be clobbered with culture shock, too. Culture shock shows that something's happening to you. It's not that Martin is insensitive. She's counseled study-abroad students for years and thus knows that their discomfort will pass. In its wake will follow tremendous benefits.