Reverse Culture Shock: Why Coming Home Was Harder Than Leaving 🇮🇹➡️🇺🇸

Coming home, reverse culture shock, leaving Italy. Six months in Italy changed me — but I didn’t expect coming home to be the hardest part. 🇮🇹➡️🇺🇸

In this deeply personal video, I reflect on the experience of reverse culture shock after returning to the U.S. following half a year in my ancestral town of Caccamo, Sicily. From overbrewed coffee and flavorless food to unexpected reunions and Uber rides powered by Google Translate, this journey back home has been anything but ordinary.

Join me as I unpack what it feels like to live in a culture that once felt normal, but now feels strangely artificial. I talk about sensory overload in grocery stores, sticker shock at the checkout counter, and the surprising peace I found in long lines at government offices (yes, really).

✨ Along the way, I even run into the pastor who married my husband and me 28 years ago — while reporting for jury duty.

This isn’t just about Italy vs. America. It’s about how travel, slowing down, and living with less can reshape the way you see the world — and yourself.

If you’ve ever come home from a trip and thought, “Did the world change, or did I?” — this one’s for you.

Chapters:
00:00 How Reverse Culture Shock Impacted Me
01:55 My Return to the United States (Why JFK Airport is the WORST)
03:21 This is acceptable dress in public???
04:05 America's Coffee Problem
04:56 How My Experience In Italy Helped Me Connect With My Chinese Uber Driver
06:42 My Artificial Sensory Overload (A Taco Discussion)
08:12 Artificial Creamer Is Disgusting
08:36 Americans Are Uptight About Jury Duty
11:00 Meeting Pastors In Weird Places
11:56 How much clothing do I absolutely need? (Living with less)
13:09 Sticker Shock In America (Things are expensive)
14:16 Struggles with reintegrating into home family llife
16:44 Teasing the next video

What I Used To Make This Video:
MacBook Pro: https://amzn.to/3DEy1lZ
iPhone 15 Pro: https://amzn.to/3DEy1lZ
Samsung 23 Ultra: https://amzn.to/3DEy1lZ
Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone: https://amzn.to/3Pj2ZTf
DJI Mini 3: https://amzn.to/3DP7imH
Music from Artlist: https://shorturl.at/ujmrT

Things I Use On My Dual Citizenship Journey:
Samsonite Xenon 3.0 Checkpoint Friendly Backpack: https://amzn.to/4fFS7tl
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry on Luggage: https://amzn.to/3PEllOZ
Pack Gear Hanging Suitcase Organizer: https://amzn.to/4iVmeQr
European Travel Plug Adapter: https://amzn.to/41WU3uh
The Complete Italian Dual Citizenship Handbook: Your Passport to La Dolce Vita: https://amzn.to/40hJml1