After You Return

Program Evaluation

Please complete our program evaluation within thirty (30) days of the program end date. This information is essential and is the only way that Global Engagement will be able to assess the programs and student needs. We welcome your comments and ideas!

Reverse Cultural Adjustment

Upon returning home from a study abroad program, you can expect to go through some degree of “reverse culture shock” as you get back into your old routines with a new, different outlook on your surroundings. You have had a wonderful experience that has taught you many things but the new things that you have learned may not fit into your everyday world.

Things you may experience during this period

  • Sense that you can’t fully explain your experience or its importance
  • Realization that others do not want to hear very much about your travels
  • Feeling of being “out of place” or boredom with being home
  • Experiencing “reverse homesickness” for the place where you studied abroad
  • Seeing that relationships with family and friends have changed
  • Viewing your home in a way that is negative or overly critical

Ways to cope with these feelings

  • Try to use the same adaptation skills that you developed while you were getting used to being abroad to make the transition to being home
  • Just as you did while abroad, try to be patient in dealing with the temporarily unfamiliar culture of “home”
  • Take time to evaluate the two cultures and think about how you can incorporate parts of both into your lifestyle. Allow yourself time to adjust back to home
  • Seek the company of people who understand you, like other study abroad alumni; these may not be the same people who understood you before your life-changing travel experiences
  • Seek help from the SHU Counseling Center if you feel that your readjustment is not going well
  • Remember that these feelings are normal

Some ways to continue your “international education”

  • Talk with prospective study abroad students and help with study abroad events on campus. Your experiences and perspectives are of great value to students thinking about studying abroad.
  • Make a scrapbook of your travels. Include your memories alongside the photos and souvenirs
  • Look into internationally focused student clubs and organizations available at SHU, such as The Multicultural Council or Italian Club
  • Plan your next trip! The OGA is happy to help you explore additional opportunities about the various programs available

Transcripts 

While we are used to having our grades and updated transcripts here in the U.S. almost immediately after taking final exams, this is not the case for institutions abroad. In many of our program locations, your grades will not arrive at the OGA for up to 8 weeks after the program end date. Your host institution will send via mail or email your grades as soon as they are available. Once we submit your grades to the SHU Registrar’s Office, it can take 5 to 7 business days for the grades to be entered. You can request a copy of your SHU transcript through the Registrar’s website.

Sign up to be a Global Ambassador

Global Engagement is seeking student volunteers who would like to aid in the advising process for prospective study abroad participants. The main function of a Global Ambassador (GA) is to act as a student representative of Global Engagement, sharing their experience and knowledge of study abroad. Applications are generally released during the summer.

Post-Graduate Opportunities Abroad

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright Program offers research, study and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. It is the largest U.S. exchange program and awards 2,000 grants annually in all fields of study. During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences.

Robert McCloud, Ed.D. is the Sacred Heart University Fulbright Program Advisor. He can provide information and guidance to SHU students interested in applying for Fulbright awards.

Fulbright source and detailed information.

Enjoy our Fulbright U.S. Student Program Panel featuring SHU alumni and faculty from International Education Week 2020!

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps offers two-year volunteer programs abroad to college grads, retirees, career changers, and anyone looking to make a difference in the world. Peace Corps Volunteers work at the grassroots level to create change that lasts long after their service.

Peace Corps source and detailed information.

Watch our Peace Corps Virtual Panel Discussion featuring SHU Alumni and Peace Corps Recruiter, Michael Kunkel.