Questions about Companions

Does my companion need to have cross-cultural experience?
Not necessarily. As we listened to others who have had success using Returning Well, we discovered that the most vital elements of a companion are:
  • their ability to listen actively,
  • their concern for your welfare, and
  • their genuine interest in your story.
At times it can be helpful to have someone who has “been there” and at other times their story may get in the way of their listening to you. So most importantly, find someone who can listen well and be there fully for you in a safe and confidential environment.
Does my companion need to also purchase a copy of Returning Well to serve as a companion?
Everything your companion needs is provided in the article “Serving as a Returning Well Companion” found at the back of Returning Well or available through download here with the password provided in Returning Well. However, your companion may still want his or her own copy of Returning Well to gain further understanding of the topics presented in each section.

Questions for Getting Started

When should I start Returning Well? 
For most returnees, the best time to engage Returning Well is
  • after the initial blur of resettling activities has lessened,
  • after daily functioning has been established, and
  • while the season you are hoping to debrief is still fresh in your mind. 

Everyone is different, but many have found it most successful to begin their Returning Well engagement between the second and sixth month after their return. Other signs that you might be at a good point to begin is when:
  • you have the emotional capacity and desire to begin reflecting on your recent season,
  • you start feeling the internal tensions of having just made a major cultural transition and are experiencing misunderstandings, confusion, annoyance, frustration, anger, loneliness, etc.,
  • you are ready to start moving forward into your next season in wisdom and health, or
  • you are struggling to find the words to share your cross-cultural life with others.
I came back almost a year ago, is it too late to engage Returning Well?
It is not too late. Others have successfully engaged Returning Well anywhere from a few weeks to a year after returning to their primary culture. Re-entry is not linear or predictable. Some people will feel the effects of re-entry right away, but for others, the effects of re-entry may come several months after returning. It may be that you may not recall certain details as well and certain questions may not feel as pertinent (and in that case you will want to give yourself generous permission to skip non-resonating questions). But, you will still likely find value in engaging Returning Well if your heart’s desire is for a thoughtful reflection that leads to meaningful action steps forward.   
Where can I buy or rent the movie, Cast Away?
Amazon.com provides instant video as well as Blu-ray and DVD for purchase.  Other options may include Google Play and the like. Depending on where you live, also check with your local public library.
My book appears to be misprinted; what should I do?
We want you to experience Returning Well in its best form, and we apologize for the issue you are experiencing. If you purchased Returning Well through Amazon, please notify Amazon of the manufacturing defect, and request a replacement. If you purchased Returning Well in bulk through this website, please contact us concerning the defect. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience.

Questions About Using Returning Well

Can I use Returning Well for a Home Assignment or Sabbatical?
Most likely yes, but it depends. If your home assignment is three months, you may find it more difficult to give your attention to Returning Well with your return looming--unless you purposely gave it high priority during that time. If, however, your home assignment is one year, you likely have enough time to gain value from engaging Returning Well, but you would still need to give it priority in the midst of what is usually a very busy season. The key for engaging Returning Well during home assignment is to begin it as early as possible into your home assignment. For most, there comes a point in time during home assignment when you internally switch from wanting to reflect on the previous season of life to desiring to prepare for your upcoming transition back, and it is important to have completed your Returning Well engagement before that internal switch occurs.

"Returning Well helped me remember that I wasn't the only one going through re-entry shock, and the questions helped me process when I couldn't always get to the bottom of my feelings by myself.
- P.S., cross-cultural sojourner who used Returning Well in his return from Latin America

Is your question not answered here?

Please contact me, I’d be happy to personally answer your question.
"I knew when I returned that my life had been drastically changed but I didn't know where to begin. The questions in Returning Well gave me a place to begin and were great springboards to dig deeper into some issues that I was surprised to uncover. I would highly recommend this to anyone returning from life in another culture." 
    - E.F.., cross-cultural sojourner  who used Returning Well in her return from Asia

Please note that in order to keep the cost of the book low, the publishing company for Returning Well has chosen to participate in the Amazon Associates Program.  Thus please be notified that: "Newton Publishers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com."  When you use the Amazon link above and make a purchase at Amazon, a portion of your payment will go toward supporting the efforts and resources of Returning Well.