Welcome back! We trust that your readjustment to life back on campus is going well. If you haven’t already felt the re-entry culture shock, you probably will at some point in your readjustment to life back in the US and Santa Clara. Coming back can be a stressful and confusing time as you cope with all the emotions of missing the study abroad experiences. But this is also the time when incredible personal growth can occur as you begin to reflect on that whole experience. As you go through the re-entry process, please know that this is a natural phase of cultural adjustment similar to when you had to adapt to studying abroad in your host country. We encourage you to get in involved on campus to keep your international experience alive and meaningful. Below are a few of the ways that you can do that:
EVALUATION: Complete the Study Abroad Evaluation Please take about 10-15 minutes to fill out our survey based on your study abroad experience. The results of the survey will be made available to students who will be researching their study abroad options. Your help is greatly appreciated. To complete the online survey, please visit: http://www.scu.edu/survey/?s=77(You’ll need your Groupwise username and password to access it)
SOCIAL: Juniors Abroad Welcome Back Gathering January 8, 2009, The Bronco. 9:00 PM Co-sponsored by the Junior Class and the International Programs Office, this informal gathering will be a time to welcome back the Juniors who studied abroad this past Fall. Come and reconnect with your class and the Study Abroad Peer Advisors. For more details, please contact Sarah Beauchamp (sbeauchamp@scu.edu), the Junior Class Chair at Associated Students.
AMBASSADORS: Join the International Ambassadors Open to All Returnees Opportunities to share your experience with prospective study abroad students. For information and online application, please visit: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/ambassadors/index.cfm
FORUM: The Party’s Over: President Obama’s Global Challenges January 20, 2009, Swig Sky Lounge, 7:30 PM Co-sponsored by CyPhi and the International House, this event puts a global perspective on the Obama administration; roundtable discussion by several faculty members, moderated by Dr. Dennis Gordon, Executive Director of International Programs, Professor Political Science. All are welcome. For more information, visit: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/workshops/index2.cfm?sched=20416
CONFERENCE:Lessons from Abroad: How to Apply International Education in a New Context February 28, 2009, University of San Francisco, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM A student conference specifically for study abroad returnees from universities in Northern California. For more information and to apply: http://www.australearn.org/lessonsfromabroad/
WORKSHOP: Resumes for International Aficionados February 9, 2009, KennedyCommons, 5:00 – 6:00 PM Learn how to integrate your international experience on your resume.Find out how to communicate skills that are valued in a global market.Take away tips for approaching an international job search. Limited seating. For more information and RSVP online to secure your spot: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/workshops/index2.cfm?sched=15449
CLUB: Join the International Club Open to all Returnees Join international students and other study abroad returnees for social and educational opportunities. For more information and to join, please visit: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/exchange/club.cfm
MENTOR: Be a Student Mentor to an Exchange Student Want to serve as an American student mentor to an international Exchange Student who will be coming to study for a term or year at SCU? For more information and to sign up, please visit: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/exchange/mentor.cfm
HELP: Pre-Departure Orientation 2009 Saturday, May 9, 2009. Mayer Theater, 8:30 – 12:30 PM This year we have designated May as Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation Month starting with the mandatory orientation kick-off on May 9, 2009. We could use your help on that day and in the group meetings which will happen throughout May and some even earlier. Please sign up to be an International Ambassador and be on the look out for emails from us. For more information: http://www.scu.edu/studyabroad/orientation/index.cfm
REFLECTION: Submit article or photos to One World Submit an article or just photos on your experience abroad to One World, Santa Clara’s social justice magazine. Copies of the magazine can be found outside of Campus Ministry. For more information, please email: Allie Dunne (andunne@scu.edu) or Anne Murphy-Hagan (amurphyhagan@scu.edu) .
PHOTO CONTEST: Show Off Your Best Photos An opportunity to share your study abroad experience with the Santa Clara community, alumni, parents, prospective students through images. Winning photos will be featured in calendars, on our website, and other University publications. Photo Contest rules and guidelines will be emailed to you soon; categories may include the following: Cross-Cultural Immersion, Scenery, Broncos in Action, Justice Overseas, etc.
FAQ: When can I expect my abroad grades to be posted to my ecampus account? Your patience is needed for this phase as it all depends on the efficiency to which your program provider sends transcripts to SCU. This process can take several weeks (sometimes months) before Carol Bonney at the Registrar’s Office receives your transcript As soon as she gets it she will forward it on to Lori Johnson at the Drahmann Center who makes the appropriate credit transfer to your ecampus account based on the Study Abroad Course Approval Form you submitted to her before you left for your program. If you want to know the actual timeline of when your transcript will be sent to SCU, feel free to contact your program provider (e.g. IES, CIEE, Syracuse, etc.) directly and they will advise you.
HELPFUL READING: What is Re-Entry? Excerpts from the Study Abroad Office at MiddleburyCollege.
Re-entry can be defined as the often unexpected and sometime difficult experience of re-adjusting to life in one's home culture after living abroad. Some study abroad returnees do not find re-entry to be difficult; however, most returnees experience some degree of stress upon returning home. In fact, for many students the process of re-adapting to home after study abroad is even more difficult than adjusting to the host culture! Re-entry is different for everyone, just as your experience abroad was unique and special. However, there are some common re-adjustment issues that study abroad students report:
Personal Growth and Change--You may have experienced a challenge to your beliefs, convictions, values and world view while you were immersed in a different culture. You may have also experienced more academic freedom and personal independence while abroad. You may feel that you have matured and become more self-confident. You have undoubtedly changed in many ways. One of the greatest challenges of re-entry is having to adjust your "new" self to your "old" home. It is very common for returnees to experience loss of identity during this time.
New Knowledge and Skills--Just as your attitudes changed while you were abroad, you probably developed new knowledge, skills, and behavior patterns. For example, you probably developed competencies that helped you survive in your everyday life overseas, such as learning to find your way around a new city, to act in a culturally appropriate manner, and to converse about new subjects, and of course, foreign language skills. Other new competencies may include new knowledge about your major, new research skills, and new problem-solving skills. Some returnees feel frustrated if they feel these skills are of little use once they return home.
Relationships with Family and Friends--Some study abroad returnees say the most difficult issue to deal with when they return home is relationships with family and friends. It is important to realize that other people did not stay the same while you were gone. Also, all of your changes will undoubtedly affect your family and friends. Many returnees describe feelings of alienation, and some say they feel pressure from family and friends to revert back to the person they were before study abroad. Perhaps the most difficult, and most common, aspect of this issue is telling others about the overseas experience. Many returnees find that beyond polite inquiries and general questions, their friends and family do not seem to be very interested in hearing about their experiences.
How does one cope with re-entry?
There are many positive ways of coping with re-entry. The process of re-adjustment can take weeks or months, and it is very important to give yourself time to cope with the experience. Perhaps the most vital coping strategy is to recognize that what you are going through is normal and very, very common. Expect a period of stress, and know that re-entry is a natural part of the re-adjustment process. The following are coping strategies suggested by study abroad returnees:
• Talk with people who understand your situation. All of us in the Office of International Programs have spent time abroad and love to hear about your experiences, and we can also help put you in touch with other returnees. Keep in touch with people from your host country and from your program.
• Tell others about your study abroad experience. Let the Office of International Programs know if you would be interested in speaking with prospective study abroad students or helping with pre-departure meetings or other international events. Write an article for the One World Social Justice Magazine, or other school publication. Telling others who really want to hear about your experience can be a wonderful way to keep your study abroad experience alive.
• Continue being a multi-cultural person. Seek out situations in which international experiences and perspectives are appreciated. The Office of International Programs can tell you about opportunities to get involved in working on international events on campus, for example. Use your international perspective and skills to work on issues in the United States. There are volunteer opportunities at your school.
In conclusion, re-entry can be a time of stress, confusion, and tremendous personal growth. As you go through this experience, remember that re-entry is just another phase of cultural adjustment, and just as you adapted to your host culture, you will be able to re-adapt to the United States and to Santa Clara. Remember to look positively on your re-entry experience, and allow it to help you look at your own culture as if you were discovering it for the first time.
We look forward to hearing about your study abroad experience. Feel free to stop by our new location at Kenna Hall, Suite110 to see us.
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