Looking at a mirror for the last check before heading out the door, Angela Wadsworth, a returned missionary, sees at her name tag next to the mirror and reminisces about her mission in Oakland, Calif..

"Post-mission life was definitely harder than I thought," Wadsworth said.

Most returned missionaries experience "reverse cultural shock" upon returning home, including issues of time management, loneliness, balancing secular and spiritual things and dating.

That is why Brad Wilcox, associate professor of the Department of Teacher Education, will present a lecture called "RMTC" for all returned missionaries on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium.

Wilcox, former mission president of the Chile Santiago Mission, said he wanted to offer some tips about post-mission adjustment for all returned missionaries.

"I have seen some of the returned missionaries come home and do very well, and I have seen some struggle," Wilcox said. "There are some simple things we can do to help every returned missionary succeed."

Women's Services and Resources originally came up with this idea, Wilcox said, to help returned sister missionaries but expanded the idea to include all returned missionaries.

Many returned missionaries struggle with how to spend their time wisely.

Robert Huey, a sophomore from West Covina, Calif., said he had a hard time filling the time.

"Suddenly I had so much free time and I don't know what to do," Huey said. "And I feel like I was wasting time."

This lecture will address the typical challenges returned missionaries face, such as balancing the many aspects of life, maintaining spirituality and understanding the relationship between men and women, Wilcox said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Oct 2007