Coming Home From Studying Abroad
As you settle back into life at home, you may find that transitioning from the adventure of international study to familiar home surroundings can be both exciting and challenging. Our office provides study abroad returnees with the resources to ease the transition and apply the benefits of studying abroad to life back home.
Reverse Cultural Adaption
The unsettled feeling that can accompany one's return from abroad is reverse cultural adaption, or what some refer to as "reverse culture shock." It is a common reaction for study abroad returnees. Upon returning home, you may feel bored, restless, unable to describe your time abroad, or frustrated and misunderstood by others who don't understand your experience. You may be surprised to find that relationships have changed, your home environment seems unfamiliar, or that your loved ones don't fully understand the "new" you. Understanding that these feelings are normal and learning how to cope with them will help you to adapt back to your home environment more quickly. Reach out to your study abroad advisor or Counseling and Testing Services for assistance.
Bruce La Brack - What's Up With Culture? Re-entry Challenges and Tips
GoAbroad - Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock
Leveraging Your Experience with Future Employers
Your study abroad experience can offer quite a return on investment if utilized properly, so it's important you learn how to clearly articulate your time abroad and explain how it built skill sets and competencies to a degree that would not be possible from the comfort of a home environment. Several of our affiliate partners offer online resources to help students integrate their experience into resumes, cover letters, and interviews. Additionally, UNT Career Coaches can help you to unpack your experience and learn how to market what you accomplished.
AIFS - Study Abroad and Career Development
IES - Putting Study Abroad on Resumes and Cover Letters
Going Abroad Again
While you have already studied abroad, keep in mind that UNT allows you to have multiple study abroad experiences, and many students do! Meet with your study abroad advisor to learn about future opportunities. There are also a number of opportunities you can pursue upon degree completion to work, intern, volunteer, study, or teach abroad. Specific scholarships and fellowships for international graduate study can help to mitigate the financial costs of education abroad. UNT's Global Engagement Office can help you become a more competitive scholarship candidate through workshops and advising. Our study abroad advisors have all participated in at least one postgraduate international experience and can answer questions you may have about their particular programs.
UNT Peace Corps Prep Certificate
Remember, your study abroad journey doesn't end here. It marks the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the world and its possibilities. We encourage you to stay connected with us, get involved in International Affairs events, explore future overseas experiences, and continue your journey towards becoming a global citizen.