Welcome back! Whether you came back home last December or are just returning to campus after Jan Plan, some of you may have mixed feelings about coming back or leaving the country where you studied. Returning to the Hill, while exciting, can also be a bit of a culture shock.
So how was it? (Are you tired of that question yet?) Can you relate to these tips about How to answer “How was your study abroad semester? Talking and sharing with others about your experiences, especially those who understand can be very therapeutic. Writing can also be a great way to process your feelings and reflect on what you experienced. Then share it on the OCS Blog!
We encourage you to try some of the items on this to do list for returning from an international experience and following some of the ways to cope with reverse culture shock. We hope you will:
1) Come to a reentry event and share your stories with each other and with us!
2) Become a Global Ambassador to share your enthusiasm, experiences, and inspiration and reflect on your experience while helping others plan theirs.
3) And, of course, post a story on the OCS blog!
Re-entering into campus life is not always easy. The reverse culture shock some of you may experience is especially difficult because it is unexpected. It is a completely normal and even more important is to know that you are not alone in these feelings.The Journey of Reentry: The Good, The Bad, and The Confusing as well as the resources on our Reentry webpage can help.
We are eager to hear from you!
Juliette, Nancy and Sue in OCS