When Going Home Gets Tough with Annegret Bertsch, CPC

After years of living abroad, returning home might seem like the easy part—but for many, it’s the hardest transition of all. In this episode, we dive deep into the often overlooked phenomenon of reverse culture shock—what it is, why it hits harder than expected, and how to navigate it with more awareness and compassion.

We’re thrilled to welcome Annegret Bertsch, a solution-focused coach certified through Erickson International, with a background in Mathematics and English. Annegret has lived in across Europe, America, and Asia, and recently repatriated to Germany after years abroad.

Together, we explore powerful questions, including:

• What exactly is reverse culture shock, and what commonly triggers it?
• How long does it take to truly feel “at home” again?
• Why are the expectations of those around us so different once we’re back?
• How do identity, language, and even pronouns shape our re-entry experience?
• What are some practical tools we can implement to ease the adjustment of going back home?

Whether you’re preparing to return home or supporting someone who is, this conversation is packed with valuable insights to help you better understand and navigate the emotional complexities of coming home.

You can find Annegret on Instagram, on LinkedIn and  at Coaching Because 

Please hit the follow button and enter this crazy, multilingual, international world and explore these questions and so much more as I open up about my personal experiences over a cup of coffee, Americano, espresso, cafe con leche, or whatever gets you moving!

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese