Return hard for abroad students
Reverse culture shock affects some as they re-adjust to campus life
Jennifer Metz
Issue date: 1/30/07 Section: News
Academic opportunities
For students who want an academic opportunity to reflect in-depth on and articulate their learning while abroad, and how it relates to their education and intercultural experience, Saint Mary's offers a re-entry course entitled "Analysis of Study Abroad Learning."
"Many schools have realized recently the importance of integrating this powerful education experience rather than letting it be sort of a surreal memory in a vacuum for students, and are interested in starting such courses," Meyer-Lee said.
The Center for Women's InterCultural Leadership has presented on this course nationally and written a chapter on it in a book on study abroad curricular integration. The College is also starting a list serve for interactive discussions of key issues for this course.
Spirituality after study abroad
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart held a welcome-back liturgy last Tuesday for all those returning from abroad. O'Shea, a member of the Folk Choir, found it very helpful.
"[The liturgy] was just another way for abroad students to get back into their spiritual core here," she said. "The sermon spoke well to the different emotions you feel when coming back.
It has been hard for her to be away from close friends for so long, but O'Shea believes her time abroad was a worthwhile experience - one she recommends to all.
"There's a different dynamic on campus now … you have to find your place again … it was definitely a transition," O'Shea said. "I don't recognize some of the faces [on campus]. But I see [new] faces, my friends from abroad. … You can't expect things to."
For students who want an academic opportunity to reflect in-depth on and articulate their learning while abroad, and how it relates to their education and intercultural experience, Saint Mary's offers a re-entry course entitled "Analysis of Study Abroad Learning."
"Many schools have realized recently the importance of integrating this powerful education experience rather than letting it be sort of a surreal memory in a vacuum for students, and are interested in starting such courses," Meyer-Lee said.
The Center for Women's InterCultural Leadership has presented on this course nationally and written a chapter on it in a book on study abroad curricular integration. The College is also starting a list serve for interactive discussions of key issues for this course.
Spirituality after study abroad
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart held a welcome-back liturgy last Tuesday for all those returning from abroad. O'Shea, a member of the Folk Choir, found it very helpful.
"[The liturgy] was just another way for abroad students to get back into their spiritual core here," she said. "The sermon spoke well to the different emotions you feel when coming back.
It has been hard for her to be away from close friends for so long, but O'Shea believes her time abroad was a worthwhile experience - one she recommends to all.
"There's a different dynamic on campus now … you have to find your place again … it was definitely a transition," O'Shea said. "I don't recognize some of the faces [on campus]. But I see [new] faces, my friends from abroad. … You can't expect things to."