This document discusses reentry adjustment for students returning from study abroad programs. It defines key terms like "study abroad returnee" and "reentry shock" as the reverse culture shock experienced when returning home. It outlines potential challenges returnees may face, such as boredom, feeling like no one wants to hear about their experience, and difficulty applying what they learned abroad. The document encourages returnees to process and share their experience rather than compartmentalizing it. It lists campus resources for returnees to utilize, such as counseling services, academic advisors, and the CICE office. It also outlines upcoming events and an online reentry strategies hub for additional support and information.

1. Returning home
after studying abroad
Jill S. Fischer, January 30, 2014

2. 
Study Abroad Returnee: a student coming back to
campus after studying abroad
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SA: Abbreviation for study abroad
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Reentry: the period of time immediately after
study abroad; could be a long reentry or short
reentry, depending on the student and their
experience. (Lifelong reentry)
Reentry Shock / Reentry Adjustments: “The
reverse culture shock experienced when the
expatriate returns to their home country”
(web definition.)

4. -Michael Paige, UofMN prof
Maximizing Study Abroad

8. Reentry Adjustment Curve (over simplified)
Downloaded from website, 1/16/13
http://www.esf.edu/international/adjustment.htm

9. 1. Boredom
2. No one wants to hear
3. You can‟t explain it
4. Reverse homesickness
5. Relationships have changed
6. People see the wrong changes
7. People misunderstand
8. Feelings of alienation/Critical eyes
9. Inability to apply new knowledge and skills
10.Loss/Compartmentalization of Experience
Adapted from Dr. Bruce La Brack, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific
* Returnees may experience these challenges to varying
degrees. Returnees may experience some of these, or may
experience none of these – everyone is different.

10. Returnee may feel:
 Down/sad/blah
 Unmotivated
 Unengaged in classes, work, friends, interests
 Unreasonably critical of „home‟ culture
 Cranky/irritable
 Crying/emotional (more than normal)
 Frustrated with self and/or others
 Place extreme focus on experience abroad

Considered normal part of re-adjustment

11. 
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When it goes beyond „normal‟
Returnee is in an extended „rut‟
Returnee is isolating themselves for extended
periods of time
Doesn‟t seem to get better, Returnee doesn‟t
seem to have any good days
Returnee tells you it‟s time

12. 
Encourage Returnee to PROCESS & SHARE &
UTILIZE RESOURCES
◦ Don‟t “pack up” the experience and put it away!
◦ Some of the richest learning can come AFTER
one‟s return from study abroad via processing
the experience (reflection, sharing, picture
organizing, etc.)

13. 
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CSL staff (Chris and Amy in Vocation; Career Counseling)
Counseling Center – don‟t have to have a “problem”
to visit with them; can simply want to process
D-Center
Academic Advising Center
Jill in CICE –individual debriefing sessions
Returnee‟s mentor, Academic Advisor,
Profs, CF, RD, etc.
Reentry Core Group - inactive-ish; want to join?

14. 
CICE reentry email –
sent semesterly, lists resources
& upcoming events
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Email to Academic Advisors
Reentry Class – next fall (Intercultural Issues)
Pizza and Pictures – semesterly social gathering for
recent returnees
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Annual Minnesota Returnee Conference
(fall, being revised)
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Well-Being Center (?)
new ideas… Caf‟ Returnee Table, Facebook
Group and CICE Sessions – discuss various topics

15. 
CICE Website – Reentry Strategies - HUB

16. ◦ Reentry adjustment info
◦ Links to other websites – Engaging Study
Abroad, What‟s Up With Culture, etc.
◦ Resources for Going Abroad Again
◦ Resume/Job Search/Integration/Career
links
◦ Reading List
◦ How to get involved
◦ Coping Tips
◦ and more…

17. Jill Fischer, CICE
jfische4@gustavus.edu
Ext 7546