Reverse Cultural Shock Among Saudi Students Returning from Study Abroad: Examining the Role of Expectation in Career, Family, and Social Communication and Reintegration with the Community and Demographic Factors

Abstract

Saudi students returning from studying abroad may experience reverse culture shock (RCS), which can affect their social, emotional, and professional readjustment. Despite the increasing number of Saudi students studying overseas, limited research has examined the factors associated with RCS among Saudi returnees. The purpose of this study was to examine reverse culture shock among Saudi students who returned from studying abroad within the last five years and to explore whether RCS differs based on gender, parental status, employment status, and whether returnees’ expectations about life after returning were met. Guided by Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT), this study used a quantitative research design. Data were collected through an online survey using researcher-created, plus RCS parts of the MRSS (Niesen, 2010), a validated scale measuring reverse culture shock. Independent t-tests and regression analyses were conducted using R programming. The sample consisted of 170 Saudi students who had returned from studying abroad within the past ten years. Results: Independent t-tests indicated no significant differences in reverse culture shock based on parental status, gender, or employment (all p > .05). Regression analysis revealed that returnees whose expectations regarding family and social communication and community reintegration were met experienced lower RCS. Similarly, having a job guarantee significantly predicted lower levels of RCS. However, career expectations, length of stay abroad, time since return, gender, parental status, and the interaction between gender and parental status were not significant predictors. Implications: The findings contribute to a better understanding of the reentry experiences of Saudi returnees and provide insights for universities, policymakers, and support services to develop programs that facilitate smoother cultural and social readjustment after studying abroad.