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Re-Entry Shock
One of the biggest challenges for students who participate in study abroad can be the difficulty in re-adapting to the realities in the U.S (otherwise known as "re-entry"). Many students who studied abroad went through many changes, re-examining their priorities, their values, and what they think of themselves and the U.S. The "return culture shock" may be more difficult than the "culture shock" they felt when abroad.
So what is reverse culture shock?
First, let’s examine the process of re-entry. There are usually two elements that characterize a study abroad student’s re-entry:
- an idealized view of home
- the expectation of total familiarity (that nothing at home has changed while you have been away)
Often, students expect to be able to pick up exactly where they left off. A problem arises when reality doesn’t meet these expectations. Home may fall short of what you had envisioned, and things may have changed at home: your friends and family have their own lives, and things have happened since you’ve been gone.
The inconsistency between expectations and reality, plus the lack of interest on the part of family and friends (nobody seems to really care about all of your "when I was abroad" stories) may result in frustration, feelings of alienation, and mutual misunderstandings between study abroad students and their friends and family.
UNH Re-entry Reception
At the beginning of every semester, the CIE also sponsors an informal reception for returned students to share their experiences with each other, to find out what new opportunities are available to them now that they’ve had this experience and to highlight returned students’ contributions to internationalize the UNH campus.
Get involved: become a Study Abroad Mentor
One of the best ways to combat reverse culture shock is to get involved with encouraging other UNH students to study abroad.
The CIE “Been There, Done That” series offers a great opportunity for you to share your experiences and expertise. You will have a captive audience that is excited to hear your "when I was abroad" stories. The “Been There, Done That” sessions take place at the beginning of each semester. If you are interested in mentoring future study abroad students in an informal setting, please contact the CIE.
Study Abroad Mentors also assist the CIE with the Study Abroad Orientation towards the end of each semester by answering students’ questions about the specific location that they are about to depart for. Mentors also assist with the annual Study Abroad Fair every January where UNH Managed, Exchange and Approved programs are highlighted for the UNH community. If you are interested in assisting in getting more UNH students to study abroad, please contact the CIE.
CIE Checklist
You spent plenty of time here before you left, pouring through the foreign experience reports and looking at student photos of all their fantastic destinations. Now it's your turn! Please write a report about your experience so future students can benefit the way you did. Download the Study Abroad Report Guidelines and complete as necessary. We also hold a photo contest each semester; stop by our office in Hood House room 223 for details.
Post-study Abroad Academics
After you begin to readjust to being back home, visit your academic advisor. Sometimes studying abroad will affect your academic focus within your major or even affect you to the point where you may decide to pursue a different major. This meeting with your academic advisor is a good time to discuss any changes that you might want to make. You should also check with your academic advisor to make sure that you are registered for all of the courses that you need for the upcoming semester and that you have filled out any financial aid or tuition forms that you will need for that year. Many returned study abroad students go on to do research abroad through the UNH International Research Opportunities Program or go overseas again on a post-baccalaureate fellowship.
Metro Boston Area Re-entry Conference
The annual New England-wide study abroad re-entry conference provides an array of information to college and university students who have recently returned from a study abroad experience. Developed by a committee of volunteers in the study abroad field, the conference will offer sessions in adjusting to re-entry, becoming an advocate for study abroad, marketing your international experience, exploring careers in international fields, and finding opportunities to go abroad again.
Career Development
If you are considering a career with an international component or looking for a job overseas, we also recommend that you visit your campus Career Center. The Career Center often provides various services for students seeking employment, and this is generally a good place to start looking for international job opportunities.
When you start looking for a job or career, think of the professional and personal growth you've undergone while overseas. If you can present these skills on your resume and in your interview(s) well, you can impress almost any employer.
The CIE and UNH Career Center typically organize a workshop on “Internationalizing your Resume” once a semester. Keep in touch with the CIE for more specific details.