Returning to Georgetown- IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS!
Who would have thought it would be a strange feeling to be back on the campus where you spent several years of your life before going overseas?
When we ask students what it feels like to be back, the most common response we hear is: "strange." It is common for students returning from living and studying abroad to have a difficult time adjusting. Just as you probably found it difficult to communicate effectively when you first arrived overseas, and just as you may have felt out of place, the experience of coming home can elicit these feelings by being more stressful than you expected. The primary cause of "re-entry culture shock" is a lack of realistic expectations. Students don't realize how much they have changed from their overseas experience until they arrive home and see how their interactions with familiar people in their lives have been effected.
It can be frustrating to return home from a fantastic year, semester or summer abroad only to find that the people who have been closest to you are not interested in hearing the details. This is a very common complaint! It is also not unusual for students to feel a bit depressed during the first few months after returning home, and to spend a lot of time scheming about ways to return overseas. There are many ways to ease the frustration of re-entry. We encourage you to consider the following suggestions:
1. When talking with friends and family about your overseas experiences, try to focus on feelings. This sounds less like bragging then telling stories about your adventures abroad to people who may not be able to relate.
2. Remember that, just as you were an outsider overseas, you are now an outsider at home. Try to learn about what happened while you were gone by observing and asking questions.
3. Keep in touch with the friends you made overseas.
4. Get involved in activities that allow you to develop and practice your interests and language skills. This will help you meet new friends with similar interests.
5. Keep your experience alive by talking to interested sophomores and juniors who are anxious to benefit from your enthusiasm and expert knowledge about programs they are interested in learning more about. There are many ways to do this. Overseas Studies organizes a Study Abroad Fair, information sessions, and pre-departure orientations.
6. Participate in returnee activities sponsored by Overseas Studies. Besides the Mentor and Language Exchange Program that we run, there will be a variety of other events that interested returnees will organize. Join the Returnee Committee and share your ideas with others.
7. Get involved with campus-wide committees that allow you to express opinions that will help GU build a more diversified community. You are a valuable resource to the university!
8. Come to the OIP Resource Center to explore opportunities for volunteering, studying, working and living overseas.
