What happens when students get home? How can they best integrate their study abroad experience into their lives and careers?

 Coming home after studying abroad can be a big adjustment! Here are some steps that can help you make the most of your experience, both personally and professionally:

1. Reflect on Your Experience

  • Journal or Blog: Writing down your experiences, lessons, and insights helps cement memories and makes it easier to share them with others.
  • Create a Portfolio: If you have projects, photos, or other materials, organize them into a portfolio that showcases the skills you developed abroad.

2. Reconnect and Share Your Experience

  • Stay Connected: Keep in touch with friends and contacts from your time abroad, whether through social media or regular updates. These networks may be valuable both socially and professionally.
  • Present Your Experience: Sharing your experience through a presentation or photo album with friends, family, or classmates can be a great way to celebrate your journey and reflect on your growth.

3. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn

  • Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize language proficiency, cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and any projects or research you completed.
  • Add Specific Experiences: List your study abroad institution, any internships or volunteer work you did, and key accomplishments or skills gained. If you learned unique culinary techniques, for instance, specify these to make them standout.

4. Translate Skills into Career Value

  • Identify Transferable Skills: Think about how skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and cultural awareness apply to your career goals. Many employers value these attributes, especially in fields requiring interaction with diverse populations.
  • Share Your Story: Practice explaining what your study abroad experience taught you about resilience, resourcefulness, and independence, making it relevant to your career aspirations.

5. Incorporate New Habits and Perspectives

  • Continue Language Learning: If you learned a language abroad, keep practicing! Consider joining local language meetups or taking advanced classes.
  • Embrace New Routines: Whether it’s a love for new foods or a commitment to regular travel, integrate elements from your time abroad that brought you joy or helped you grow.

6. Engage with International Opportunities at Home

  • Join Cultural Groups or Meetups: Look for clubs or events in your area where you can meet people from your host country or others with an interest in international topics.
  • Volunteer or Work in International Settings: Many communities have organizations that need volunteers with language skills or experience in intercultural communication, which could be a great way to stay connected to global work.

7. Explore Future International Career Paths

  • Internships or Jobs Abroad: If you enjoyed being overseas, you might look for internships, work exchanges, or full-time positions abroad.
  • Research International Companies: Many employers highly value international experience, especially those with a global client base or offices abroad.

8. Consider Graduate Programs with Global Components

  • If you’re interested in further education, look for graduate programs that offer exchange opportunities, internships abroad, or research partnerships with international organizations.

9. Prepare for Reverse Culture Shock

  • Recognize It’s Normal: Feeling out of place or bored with familiar things can be a part of reverse culture shock. Remind yourself it’s temporary.
  • Connect with Other Returnees: Meeting others who’ve studied abroad can help you process your experience and find ways to move forward.

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