Resources for ExploSem Returnees
On this page: Some to do's | Readjusting to home | More abroad opportunities
Welcome Back, Exploration Seminar Alums!
We hope your experience abroad was exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Now that you’re back, you may find yourself asking what comes next and how you can best integrate the valuable knowledge and skills you learned abroad into your life at UW and beyond. We’ve compiled some resources for you that are designed to help answer these questions, as well as give you some ideas about future opportunities abroad should you be interested in going again!
What’s next?
Complete a Program Evaluation
Your feedback is essential in our effort to offer meaningful and fulfilling study abroad programs for UW students. Within a few weeks of your return, you will be emailed a link to our survey. Simply clink on the link provided in the email, complete the survey, and if you complete it by October 21st, we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to the UW Bookstore!
Grades
Provided all work relating to your Exploration Seminar is completed by the deadline your program director has specified, your grades will be reported on your transcript along with the rest of your fall quarter grades in December (Summer A &B students will see grades reported on summer quarter transcripts).
Final payments
Don’t forget to pay the remainder of your program fee by the deadline on October 9, 2009. The final balance can be viewed and paid on your MyUW account, just like standard tuition charges.
Photo contest
Each year, Exploration Seminars has a photo contest for all returning participants. First prize is a $50 gift certificate to the UW Bookstore. For details, including criteria and submission instructions, click here.
International activities on campus
Share your experience with us and with others on campus! If you enjoyed your time abroad, consider new international opportunities for yourself and encourage your friends to look at studying abroad. In addition, there are many on-campus activities you can get involved in that have an international focus:
- FIUTS: Cultural exchange opportunities with international students at the UW (including film series, homestays, conversation groups, excursions, and much more)!
- Internationally themed courses at UW: Take classes with an international focus - International Studies, Geography, and the UW’s many foreign language programs are great places to start looking for these types of courses!
- Social networking: Find us on Facebook and Twitter and stay connected with us and other ExpoSem returnees!
Re-adjusting to life at home
Making the transition to life back at home can be a difficult process, particularly because you have likely grown and matured in a variety of ways during your experience abroad. Coming home can therefore feel like returning to a familiar place as an unfamiliar person and you might find this to be a bit stressful. This is normal, and in fact signifies a successful sojourn abroad! However, here are some tips to help you during your “re-entry” phase:
- Stay connected to your experience: keep in touch with other program participants, your program director, and the people you met while you were abroad!
- Find ways to get involved with international activities on campus and to ingrate your experience here (suggestions above).
- Get involved in international organizations that are based in the greater Seattle area. There are many such places that offer volunteer or internship opportunities, such as the International Rescue Committee.
- Be patient with yourself as you adjust, and be patient with others as well; remember that people may not fully understand or be interested in what you experienced abroad.
- Remember to take care of yourself as you ease back in: eat healthy, exercise, get some rest, and try to reduce activities that may cause unnecessary stress.
- If you are having significant difficulty re-adjusting, consider contacting the Student Counseling Center (206-543-1240) to speak with a professional there about your situation.
Go abroad again!
Please note that the UW does not specifically endorse any of these opportunities; they are meant to simply give you an idea of what’s out there. As you will see, there is no shortage of opportunities abroad for you to consider. There are also many publications written about working, living, volunteering, teaching, and traveling abroad. Seek some of these out during your searching or planning stages – you are sure to find the tips of others useful as you prepare for your next adventure abroad!
Study abroad (again)
Consider doing another Exploration Seminar (programs for the upcoming summer are announced in late fall) or doing a study abroad program within the Office of International Programs and Exchanges. There are many types of programs available to you as a UW student, and many times during the year when you can do them!
Work abroad
In today’s global world, there are many opportunities available to you whether you are interested in pursuing a longer term international career or interested in working abroad for a short period of time to gain some international work experience. While it can often be difficult to get hired in a permanent international position right out of school (they often require very specific prior work experience or skills), it might be possible to obtain entry level positions or to get your foot in the door as an intern or volunteer. Eventually, by doing this, you will gain international work experience and build your resume towards an international career. Check out a few of these ideas to begin your experience:
Teach abroad
There is no shortage of teaching opportunities abroad for recent graduates (particularly English language instruction), but it will take some searching on your behalf to find the right one for you. Some will require specific teaching certification or certain academic backgrounds, and others will not. Here are some places to start your search:
Volunteer or intern abroad
As with teaching abroad, there are plenty of opportunities if you are interested in volunteering or interning abroad - although be aware that interning and volunteering often mean the same thing abroad (meaning some internship opportunities may be unpaid)
Graduate school abroad
Consider applying to graduate school abroad, or to a graduate school program that has a component that takes place abroad. When searching for these types of opportunities, you might look into applying directly to a foreign university, or you might consider looking into educational providers that facilitate graduate opportunities abroad for U.S. students.
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