I left the US in 2015 and have since lived around the world. Reverse culture shock hit me harder than leaving ever did.
Business Insider
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Kat Smith, a 35-year-old traveler and founder of Away Abroad, shares her unique perspective on living abroad since 2015. Born and raised in a small town near Atlanta, she initially felt out of place when thrust into international experiences but found herself thriving in new cultures. After joining the Peace Corps in 2013 and being stationed in Ecuador, Smith discovered a profound connection to life abroad. However, her return to the US in 2015 brought unexpected reverse culture shock, making her realize she no longer felt at home in her birth country. This shift highlights the transformative power of living internationally and how it reshapes one’s identity.
Smith’s journey has been marked by both adventure and challenges. From teaching English in South Korea to exploring rainforests in Peru and eventually settling in Italy with her husband, she has continuously sought new experiences while adapting to different lifestyles. Her travels have led her through diverse locations, including Vietnam, Colombia, and Albania, where she and her husband explored various living arrangements. Despite the excitement of these experiences
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/14/2026