When Home Feels Familiar But Yet So Foreign—The Professional Readjustment Experiences of Returning Internationally-Trained Singaporean Music Therapists

Abstract

There is no formal music therapy training available in Singapore. All Singaporean music therapists are trained in a socio-cultural context different from their home country, resulting in readjustment issues when they return. This phenomenological study, comprising interviews with four Singaporean music therapists, found that the music therapists' readjustment back to Singapore was marked by transition blues as they took on responsibilities of a professional with added reverse culture shock. The different socio-cultural contexts between their country of training and Singapore also meant that clients sometimes responded in an unexpected manner, finding some music therapy approaches less effective in Singapore. Participants also struggled to fit their professional aspirations with the local environment, yet felt at home as they understood the social context upon return as music therapists. Embracing advocacy, finding supportive networks, and being adaptable while finding ways to stay true to one's professional beliefs helped overcome challenges of readjustment.

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