Communication and the Challenges of Sojourner Readjustment: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Sojourners, people who live and work overseas and then return home, face challenges. One challenge is finding someone to listen to their stories about living overseas and their readjustment. Readjustment literature explores the difficulties of readjustment, and what facilitates the process. This study focused on the challenges of talking about international and readjustment experiences after returning home. This thematic analysis was focused on semi-structured interviews with 24 returned sojourners who met specific criteria, including living overseas for a minimum of two years, and spending their formative years in the U.S.. Respondents identified potential functions of sharing including preserving memories, building interpersonal connections, managing emotions, and clarifying new understandings. Their responses demonstrate that these functions contribute to a satisfactory repatriation experience.