VCU

VCU Office of International Education

For students

Keeping the experience alive

Before returning home

  • Read about the challenges of re-entry so you are aware of the possible challenges.
  • Spend quality time with all the people you will miss the most. Let them know how they’ve impacted your experience.
  • Spend time in the places you liked or doing the things you like in your host country.
  • Take all the photos or video you’ve been intending to take.
  • Collect contact information for all the people with whom you’ll want to keep in touch.
  • Write down recipes of your favorite local dishes.
  • Download or buy the music that you’ve been listening to while abroad.
  • If you’ve had your eye on buying something that will serve as a memento of your experience, get it. You may regret it if you don’t.

After returning home

  • Visit your Study Abroad adviser to share your experience.
  • Create a written or photo essay and submit it to the Education Abroad Office.
  • Create a scrapbook.
  • Seek out other study abroad returnees. They can relate to your experience and also have something interesting to share. They can offer support during the transition of return shock.

After settling in

  • Volunteer in the Office of International Education. You can help other students make the life-altering decision to study abroad. You will get to talk about your time abroad and how it impacted you. You may also volunteer to work on country-specific orientations.
  • Interact with international students on campus. There are many ways to get involved with the international students and some may even be from the country where you studied.
  • Continue your language learning. Look for ways to maintain the language skills you gained while abroad either through taking classes, joining a conversation club or volunteering in a bilingual setting.
  • Keep in touch with the friends you made while abroad. Exchange letters, e-mails and photos to keep up-to-date with one another.
  • Become an expert on your host country. Read up on it, take courses or watch films.
  • Stay informed on current events in your host country. You can subscribe to a publication or read it online.
  • Join an international club or association on campus that is relative to your host country.
  • Investigate international careers or careers that will use your language skills.

Portions adapted from MU-International Center – Reverse Culture Shock http://international.missouri.edu/studyabroad/after/cominghome.shtml

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