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In this heartfelt episode of Worlds Collide, I sit down with Linda, who, alongside her family, embraced the expatriate life for an incredible 26 years in Japan. With a recent return to the United States, Linda opens up about the complex emotions that come with repatriation—the good, the bad, and the deeply honest. Linda's journey is a profound exploration of home, identity, and the bittersweet nature of long-term overseas living.

Linda recounts the initial allure of Japan, where she and her husband carved out a life rich in community and culture, and the stark contrast of coming 'home' to the USA. She shares the challenges of finding her feet back in the US, where the expectation of instant community clashes with the reality of starting anew. We delve into the nuances of reverse culture shock, from the surprising aspects of American life that now feel foreign, to the things she yearns for from her life in Japan.

Listeners will also get a glimpse into Linda's passion project, her podcast "Kaidankai," where she breathes life into ghost stories and supernatural tales from modern writers around the globe. Links for the Kaidankai Podcast are here for Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Whether you're an expat grappling with the idea of going back, someone curious about life after long-term travel, or just looking for a connection to stories of profound change, this episode will resonate with you. Don't miss out on Linda's captivating narrative and be sure to check out her podcast for a dose of the eerie and enchanting.

If Linda's story has touched you or if you're eager to share your own, reach out to us at worldscollide123pod@gmail.com or join our community on Instagram @worldscollidepod. And for those who cherish this podcast, share it with friends and consider leaving a five-star review to help us grow. Stay tuned for more Worlds Collide episodes, where the stories of lives lived across borders continue to unfold.

Here are other episodes with similarities:

Navigating Culture Shock - Cecile's move back to France

Building a Life Abroad in Japan - Jo tells her story

Keywords: Repatriation, Expat Life, Japan, Reverse Culture Shock, Community Building, American Culture, Multicultural Diversity, Language Learning, Family, Overseas Living, Podcasting, Storytelling, Ghost Stories, Adaptation, Personal Growth, Returning Home, Cultural Identity, International Experience, Transition Challenges, Moving Abroad, Living Abroad, Living in Japan

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

Support Worlds Collide by leaving a five-star review and sharing with others who might find comfort and connection in these stories. Until next week, keep bridging worlds and sharing tales that unite us all.

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

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📋 Episode Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to Worlds Collide, the podcast about moving abroad

(00:50) Victoria: Linda and her family have lived abroad for 26 years

(05:00) Your husband was teaching English in Japan when you had your first child

(06:52) Were you nervous being pregnant in a foreign country at that time

(09:26) When your husband decided to move back to Japan, was it immediately

(11:28) Did you fall, um, in love with japanese culture

(13:18) When you returned from Japan, you became a full time mother

(15:21) How did you then end up making friends? Do you remember that in the beginning

(20:24) The only thing that I really missed was shoes in Japan

(22:15) How did you approach learning Japanese and getting by

(29:10) Your son's German comes back more when we visit family, right

(32:15) Coming back to the United States is a harder transition for you

(36:34) What was behind the decision to move back to the United States from Japan

(40:37) Victoria says tipping has changed a lot since the pandemic

(45:41) One of the things I love about America is the diversity of people

(51:17) Um, is there anything from Japan that you miss? I miss ramen

(55:04) So since you just moved back, do you want to go back to Japan

(01:00:48) I wanted to talk about your ghost story podcast. What's it called? And what is it about

(01:03:12) Okay, I think we're getting to an end of this episode. So I feel I don't need to add anything more