Study Abroad Program Leader Guide

Post-program activities

Contact Belinda Singleton within five days of your return to schedule an appointment to reconcile your travel advance. (See Travel Authorization for details.)

To provide continuity, feedback, and suggestions for future program improvements, returning program leaders are expected to submit an end-of-program report to his/her college dean's designee, department chairperson, and the Executive Director of Study Abroad. See Study Abroad Faculty Program Report Guidelines. This report should be submitted within 60 days of your return to campus so that your insights, suggestions and comments can influence the planning for the following year's program.

A study abroad program leader is expected to assist his/her successor with advice regarding recruitment and planning for the next program offering.

Maintain contact with your students. Chances are that your mentoring and professorial relationship may be the most significant one during your students' careers. Assist them with their readjustment and possible reverse culture shock. Reassure them that, as difficult as it is to adapt to an entirely new culture, it can be just as challenging to come back home after being away for any period of time. It is best for students to know what they might encounter in order to prepare for this adjustment period.

Students can expect to experience some measure of reverse culture shock. Remind them that the world at home didn't stop while they were gone. Upon return home, students may find they aren't the only ones who have changed during their absence. Everyone and everything else will have changed too! Remind them to take time to readjust slowly.

Suggest some of the following ways that students can use the interests and skills that they gained abroad:

• Talk with students from the program or others who have studied abroad.
• Enter the Tales from Abroad Essay Contest.
• Enter the Spartans Abroad photo contest or the Global Focus Photography Competition.
• Go to an "Unpacking your Study Abroad Experience" workshop, offered by OSA and Career Services and Placement, to learn how to sell a study abroad experience to employers and graduate schools.
• Develop a Web site for the program.
• Share experiences by working as an OSA Peer Adviser.
• Participate in a Study Abroad Fair! Students can help staff the program's display or work at OSA's Returnee Table.
• Work with international students by volunteering in the Office of International Students and Scholars.
• Get connected with MSU's Area Studies Centers - Africa, Asia, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Russia.
• Attend the International Opportunities Fair to explore internships, volunteer opportunities, work and teaching abroad, and internationally-focused careers.
• Talk about study abroad experiences to clubs and groups, including adults and children.
• Make new friends from all over the world and enjoy free coffee at the "International Coffee Hour" every Friday during the semester.
• Join international organizations and clubs.
• Continue foreign language study or take courses with an international focus.
• Write for The State News, the Lansing State Journal, or your local home paper.
• Continue studying the host country by taking related courses, reading international papers, viewing films and videos, writing research papers, etc.
• Volunteer to work in the community or on campus. Help organizations that support community service and development. Look for groups working with immigrants, refugees, or the aged and make use of listening, patience and empathy skills.
• Start thinking about when and how to return abroad. Participate in additional study abroad programs; apply to graduate schools abroad; apply for Fulbright Scholarships to study and conduct research; find employment possibilities; join the Peace Corps; or just return to visit host family and friends.
• Explore Phi Beta Delta, the first national honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.
• Integrate the best of the two cultures. It is not necessary to give up one at the expense of another!

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