After Your Study Abroad

Returning home can feel exciting and sad at the same time. From feeling a bit homesick to missing that place you've spent a significant amount of time, the return home can be a confusing mix of emotions. Here, you'll figure out how to aid with this!

Reverse Culture Shock?

Coming back home after studying abroad can feel strange—what once felt normal might now seem unfamiliar. Reverse culture shock can manifest as frustration, boredom, or even a sense of not quite fitting in. Give yourself time to adjust, embrace the changes within you, and find ways to incorporate your international experience into daily life.

Give yourself time to readjust

Stay connected with friends

More journaling!

Integrate their culture

Stay Connected to Friends Abroad .1

Just because your study abroad trip is over doesn’t mean your friendships have to be. Keep in touch with your international friends through social media, video calls, and messages. Maintaining these connections not only keeps the memories alive but also opens doors for future visits and collaborations.

Yes. Keep Journaling .2

Journaling or blogging about your post-abroad experience can help you process emotions and reflect on how you’ve grown. Writing can also serve as a way to preserve memories and insights from your time abroad, making it easier to integrate your experiences into your future goals.

There are a few different types of journaling for those who are not familiar with it or feel its hard to start. One of my favorites is ‘junk journaling’ which for me is a great way to showcase simple or silly scraps from traveling such as maps, train tickets, receipts, labels, photos, etcetera. This method allows you to symbolize an experience with mundane things you acquire along the way!

If you’re not interested in that kind of journaling I thought of a few topic questions to get you writing about your experiences!

What do you miss most about your study abroad experience?
What are you most looking forward to when returning home?
Has your study abroad experience affected your person in any way?
Did you meet any goals during your study abroad?

Music!

Tienaté by Nu Genea

While exploring around Florence, in a record shop my friends and I heard this song on the radio. I have continued to listen to this song and explore more international music since my return, but this song always allows me to remember my time abroad.

Food!

To Make Gnocchi:

-Gold Potatoes

-Flour

-Semolina (optional)

It's not an exact recipe as it's mostly dependable on the ratio of potato to flour. Peel and boil your potatoes until tender and allow to cool. Once cooled, finely mill. This part is important to have a smooth dough. You can use a ricer, or push them through a fine mesh strainer. Once done slowly add flour to the potatoes. Your ratio should be more potato versus flour. Keep adding flour until your dough is no longer sticky and has the texture of play dough. Roll into a rope shape and cut into 1 inch pieces. Dust with semolina or flour and allow to rest for about 30 minutes. Boil until they rise to the surface and serve with a sauce of your choice!

Integrate culture! .3

Incorporating small aspects of your life abroad—whether it’s cooking local dishes, speaking the language, or music can help ease the transition. These familiar activities keep the experience alive and help you blend your new perspective with your home environment.

For Your Resume

Your study abroad experience is a valuable asset on your resume. Highlight skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving. Employers appreciate global awareness, so be sure to frame your experience in a way that demonstrates both personal and professional growth. Additionally, carefully consider where in you're resume you would like to add this experience!

Education: In the education section of your resume, list where you studied abroad underneath your current school. Include the name of the school, the city and country of the school, your length of study and relevant coursework and honors.
Experience: In the experience section, you can list any internships or programs you were a part of while abroad. In your bullet points, share what you were responsible for. You could even have a separate section on your resume called "International experience" if you have an extensive amount of relevant experience abroad.
Skills: Think of all the skills you developed while abroad and add the most relevant ones. If you learned a new language, this is a great skill to list on your resume. Indicate whether you have beginner, proficient or fluent skills in an additional language.

(Source: Indeed)

On to the Future

Plan a Trip Back!

Now you have all the tips, tricks and experience to get going on another study abroad trip! Plan with your friends from home or coordinate to go back to the place that taught you all about the world!

Be Patient With Yourself

Coming back from a study abroad trip can really make you miss what another country has, don't forget those things you enjoyed, learned or experienced abroad and incorporated into your life. Over time you'll reconnect with home and find a deeper appreciation for it.