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Re-Entry Re-verse Culture Shock Re-Evaluating Identity . Assisting a Study Abroad Student’s Passage Through Chickering’s Last Vectors. Worked in the office for 1 year (Sept 2010-Sept 2011) Observations Limited resources Lack of formal re-entry program Need for re-entry program
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Re-Entry Re-verse Culture Shock Re-Evaluating Identity Assisting a Study Abroad Student’s Passage Through Chickering’s Last Vectors
Worked in the office for 1 year (Sept 2010-Sept 2011) • Observations • Limited resources • Lack of formal re-entry program • Need for re-entry program • Student struggles upon return Chickering’s Theory of Development – Vectors 5-7 Why Study Abroad?
Social integration (life has gone on in their absence) • Depression • Relationship issues • Change of values • Negative perception of home culture • Academic performance (lack of focus) • Feeling disconnected • Increase in alcohol consumption Re-entry issues
SVSU • Wayne State • GVSU • NMU • University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign • Middlebury College • MSU Study Abroad at SVSU and how it compares
Mandatory • Incentives to attend: immediate processing of transfer credits • Chance to connect with others face-to-face • Provide a tangible sense of closure to the experience while opening them to new paths that make a logical transition from studying abroad • Morning Topics– Large Group Format (university staff/s.a. alumni) • Using Study Abroad to Your Resume’s Advantage • Relationships After the Journey – How to Articulate the Ways You’ve Changed • Credits: Fitting Your Experience Into Your Degree Audit • Getting Involved: Student Organizations with an International Focus • Inside Jokes: Humorous Experiences Only We Can Understand SVSU Study Abroad Re-Entry Program
Afternoon Sessions – small group format • Country/language cohorts • Language Partners • Individual struggle/adjustment issues • Discuss ideas on how to use their experience in a concrete and meaningful way for future jobs and/or graduate programs (next steps) Study Abroad Re-Entry Program
Informal meetings revolving around a cultural or international theme • Opportunities for returners and alumni to be involved in upcoming study abroad fairs • Set up a mentor program so that students newly returned from overseas can connect with a study abroad alumni to get advice or simply talk about issues with readjustment and moving forward • Scrapbooking workshops Ongoing Support
Establish Identity (V5): students will have additional support in blending their experience into who they are • Developing Purpose (V6): while learning to cope with readjustment issues, they will be given opportunities to help others through transition as well • Developing Integrity (V7): by processing their experience both emotionally and intellectually, values and perceptions will be altered and they will have a better tolerance/understanding of the values of others Anticipated Results
Staffing limitations • Soliciting participation from other offices during peak periods of activity • Being mindful of student work/school commitments when scheduling a “mandatory” meeting • Will begin gradual change on a small scale…. Roadblocks?