Navigating Cultural Diversity: Reflections on Reverse Culture Shock in Manila and Kampala

“Okutambula kulaba okuda kunyumya” is a saying among the Baganda of Uganda, which can be loosely translated to mean “travel to see and on return tell what you saw.” The first time I ever heard about Manila was in one of Van Damme’s old movies from the 90s that featured a cockfight scene. That scene lives rent-free in my head. However, I made my maiden trip to Manila in 2018, and I have returned several times on holiday in 2019, 2024, and 2025. The skyline is adorned with construction cranes, high-rise condominiums, and massive malls that spell abundance. Iconic structures like Okada Manila, plush neighborhoods like Makati and BGC, and gated communities like Valle Verde stand out. Not to mention the warm smiles you receive from total strangers on the streets. Like many developing countries, this is just one face of the coin.

However, there are aspects that constantly shock me. The presence of armed police officers at every corner, supermarket, hospital, bank, and junction is striking. Some of them are even responsible for opening and closing doors for customers at these premises. In restaurants, there is a “sea” of waiters and waitresses taking orders and clearing tables. The same can be seen in shops at malls; it feels like every brand in the department store has an attendant. In hotels, there seems to be a person for every chore and responsibility, often making it seem like multi-talented individuals are non-existent.

As you move away from areas like Makati, the streets reveal roadside shops, graffiti, and hawkers selling almost everything. A reminder of the visible gaps between the haves and have-nots, the abundance and lack. Driving is chaotic, with an endless sea of motorcycles meandering through big SUVs, jeepneys, and taxis. Everyone is rushing to go somewhere, yet no one is moving. Small children, alongside their siblings and mothers, beg from car to car in the traffic jams. As a mother, this sight leaves me feeling a little heartbroken every time. Messages of repentance, redemption, and salvation are plastered everywhere, constantly flashing off screens along the road. In many neighborhoods, the churches are the biggest and most well-kept buildings in sight. One can’t help but wonder: do these churches, so prominent and well-kept, truly meet the basic needs of the communities they serve?

These scenes are not uncommon in Kampala, Uganda, where I was born and raised. So why do they sometimes feel like new experiences? Having lived in Japan for almost a decade now, the difference in lifestyle is palpable. Reverse culture shock is common among people returning to their cultures and can often lead to severe symptoms such as distress and depression as one readjusts to their native environment. Ultimately, these experiences remind me that while the settings may differ, the struggles and aspirations of people remain striking similar, urging us to seek understanding and compassion across cultural divides.

Have you experienced reverse culture shock before? Share your story with us.