Center for Global Education | Help for Students - Colleges and Universities Respond

1. Introduction

While you are thinking about returning home, being reunited with your family, and what changes have occurred there and at your home institution, you should take a moment to reflect on your experience during your semester away, and what things you want to take with you. You can draw from your answers in the previous sections. Please take a moment to record your thoughts on these questions to prepare you for returning home.

2. Preparing to return home exercise

(Most of the following questions were adapted and cited from A Thoughtful Return, Maximizing Study Abroad, student handbook pp. 141-142. University of Minnesota)

In what ways might my friends or family have changed?

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How would I like my family and friends to treat me when I return home?

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What am I looking forward to the most?

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What are the lessons I have learned that I never want to forget?

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What are some skills I have learned?

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Many say that the experience of re-entry is more challenging than your initial move to another place. What are some things I might do to make the transition easier?

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What have been the important things about this experience that I want to share with my family and friends?

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What do I want to do with the experiences I’ve had (e.g., stay in touch with people I’ve met, continue with a new interest)?

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Now that you have begun to prepare yourself by reflecting on your experiences, how you may have changed, and how home has changed, please continue to the next exercise in order to learn more about potential re-entry issues that you may face when you return home.