Returning to Campus

Transitioning back to Saint Mary's
Study Abroad Re-entry Course
Advice from a Rome Alumnae

Transitioning back to Saint Mary’s College

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October, 2006

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Re-entry Course

ICS 390: Analysis of Study Abroad

Advice Column for Returning from an International Program

Susan Kress ‘72, Rome rogram participant
Study Abroad Coordinator at Winthrop University

Reverse Culture Shock: As excited as you are about coming home and sharing your experiences, you may find that your family or friends don’t share your enthusiasm. This is not because they don’t care, but because you have just had a unique experience that they can’t understand. Here are some tips:

Use diplomacy in raving about your host country. Avoid criticizing the U.S. or comparing it to your host country.
Be proud of your new insights, but don’t impose your cultural changes on others.
Seek out your good friends to share your joy and readjustment problems.
Listen to those who have remained at home as they also have stories to tell.
Consider the techniques you used to adjust to your host country and use those same strategies to adjust to being home.
Answer questions, even silly ones, with your observations and real experiences.
Maintain a sense of humor!
Stay physically healthy since stress may cause you to be unduly tired, easily depressed, or prone to illness.
Spend time alone to sort out your feelings, set new goals/priorities, put things into perspective and separate lasting benefits from the casual impressions.
Meet with other returning students to share experiences and advice on readjustment issues.
Extend hospitality to international students, faculty and staff, and visitors on campus.
Keep up with developments in your host country.
The best part of an overseas experience for most students is a lasting friendship with folks from your host country. Write to your new friends; invite them to visit you in the U.S. or travel with you to other parts of the world. Make every effort to maintain the gift of their friendship as this is something you can enjoy for the rest of your lives.

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