A primer for Gustavus faculty and staff engaging with study away returnees Jill S. Fischer, February 7, 2014

 Study Abroad Returnee: a student coming back to campus after studying abroad / studying away  Reentry: the period of time immediately after study abroad; could be a long reentry or short reentry, depending on the student and their experience. (Lifelong reentry)  Reentry Shock / Reentry Adjustments: “The reverse culture shock experienced when the expatriate returns to their home country” (web definition.)

-Michael Paige, UofMN prof Maximizing Study Abroad

Downloaded from website, 1/16/13

1.Boredom 2.No one wants to hear 3.You can’t explain it 4.Reverse homesickness 5.Relationships have changed 6.People see the wrong changes 7.People misunderstand 8.Feelings of alienation/Critical eyes 9.Inability to apply new knowledge and skills 10.Loss/Compartmentalization of Experience Adapted from Dr. Bruce La Brack, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific * Returnees may experience these challenges to varying degrees. Returnees may experience some of these, or may experience none of these – everyone is different.

Returnee may feel:  Down/sad/blah  Unmotivated  Unengaged in classes, work, friends, interests  Unreasonably critical of ‘home’ culture  Cranky/irritable  Crying/emotional (more than normal)  Frustrated with self and/or others  Place extreme focus on experience abroad  Considered normal part of re-adjustment

 When it goes beyond ‘normal’  Returnee is in an extended ‘rut’  Returnee is isolating themselves for extended periods of time  Doesn’t seem to get better, Returnee doesn’t seem to have any good days  Returnee tells you it’s time

 Encourage Returnee to PROCESS & SHARE & UTILIZE RESOURCES ◦ Don’t “pack up” the experience and put it away! ◦ Some of the richest learning can come AFTER one’s return from study abroad via processing the experience (reflection, sharing, picture organizing, etc.)

 Let yourself feel what you’re feeling / give yourself time and space to feel sad without judgment  Get together with folks from the program  Read international newspapers online  Journal/write/creative expressions  Share your experience with friends/family / campus  Organize pictures, have a gathering to share photos  Share experience in class/connect to academics – current and future courses  Be PROACTIVE! Get involved on campus  Talk with a professional if desired/needed

 CSL staff (Chris and Amy in Vocation; Career Counseling)  Counseling Center – don’t have to have a “problem” to visit with them; can simply want to process  D-Center  Academic Advising Center  Study Away Advisor in CICE – individual debriefing sessions  Returnee’s mentor, Academic Advisor, Profs, CF, RD, etc.  Reentry Core Group – (contact Jill Fischer for more info, to join)

 CICE reentry – sent semesterly to semester students, lists resources & upcoming events  to Academic Advisors semester student returnees  Reentry Class – next fall (Intercultural Issues)  Pizza and Pictures – semesterly social gathering for recent semester returnees  Annual Minnesota Returnee Conference (fall, being revised)  Well-Being Center (?)  new ideas … Caf’ Returnee Table, Facebook Group and CICE Sessions – discuss various topics

 CICE Website – Reentry Strategies - HUB

◦ Reentry adjustment info ◦ Links to other websites – Engaging Study Abroad, What’s Up With Culture, etc.Engaging Study AbroadWhat’s Up With Culture ◦ Resources for Going Abroad Again ◦ Resume/Job Search/Integration/Career links ◦ Reading List ◦ How to get involved ◦ Coping Tips ◦ and more…

Jill Fischer, CICE Ext 7546