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Study Abroad Returnees
Re-Entry Materials
All study abroad students are required to submit a Program Evaluation and Re-Entry Survey following their experience abroad. These forms facilitate reflection, serve as advice for future study abroad students, and allow the Study Abroad Office to improve student support services.
Transfer Credit
All transcripts from overseas should be sent to the Study Abroad Office. You are encouraged to be patient, as it may take some time before the Study Abroad Office receives a foreign transcript. Once a your Program Evaluation, Reentry Survey, and transcript are received, the Registrar will post your transfer credit to KnightLine. Please remember, you must earn a grade of "C" or higher to receive transfer credit. Since the grades that you earned abroad will simply appear as "transfer credit," your GPA will not be affected.
Re-Entry Event
Of course, your return to the United States and St. Norbert College is cause for celebration! The Study Abroad Office organizes a Re-Entry Event for all study abroad returnees. Enjoy a free meal, share your experiences, and get tips on readjustment and how to continue your learning. See the Events page for the date, time, and location.
Share Your Experiences
St. Augustine once said, "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." We encourage you to share your stories and advice from abroad with St. Norbert students who are considering or planning to study abroad.
If you would like your study abroad experience featured on our new Student Testimonials page, please complete the Testimonials Form.
We also encourage you to submit an Insider Tips
form for your study abroad program. Once completed, please send your
tips to your study abroad advisor. We will share your insider tips with
future study abroad students who choose your program.
Global Nomads
The Global Nomads program is a community of passionate and motivated study abroad returnees and international students who volunteer to advocate for international education. Students promote the benefits of spending a semester in a foreign country and serve as a resource for a particular study abroad program and/or country. Students share the realities of a study abroad experience, from the initial planning phase to reintegration to one's home country. Additionally, Global Nomads creates opportunities for intercultural learning. Activities and events will push students to become global citizens.
Please complete the Global Nomads Form to let us know that you're interested.
Reverse Culture Shock
Returning to the United States and St. Norbert College may be an
unanticipated difficulty. Dr. Bruce La Brack has identified the following
re-entry challenges, along with helpful tips for overcoming these challenges.
| Re-Entry Challenges |
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Helpful Tips |
| Boredom |
It's natural to miss the excitement and challenges associated with studying abroad.
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Acceptance |
You must accept that things have changed since you left. It's
important to remember that your feelings are natural and that re-entry
takes time. |
| No one wants to hear |
Your friends, family, and members of the St. Norbert College community
may not be terribly interested in hearing about your experiences
abroad. Moreover, it may be difficult for you to articulate your
experience.
|
Reserve judgments |
Be aware of how your behavior is likely
to be interpreted by others. Continually using references to foreign places or
sprinkling foreign language expressions into an English conversation
may be viewed as distasteful. Also, be cautious of comparisons between
your home and abroad. |
| Reverse homesickness |
As you may have missed home after arriving to your study abroad
destination, you may experience homesickness for the life that you grew
accustomed to abroad. |
Stay adventurous |
Rekindle the spirit of adventure that you had abroad and stay
spontaneous. Make new friends, explore home, become involved in your
community, and try new things. |
| Relationships have changed |
It is common for students to become more self-aware, independent, and
open-minded while abroad. Some people may find small alterations in
your ideas or behavior to be upsetting or wrong. Others may
misinterpret your words or actions in such a way that communication is
difficult. |
Share your stories |
Don't isolate yourself! Talk with others who have come back from abroad
and share your experiences, frustrations, and joys. These are the
people who can help you.
|
| Feelings of alienation |
Study abroad returnees may develop a critical eye and see faults in
society. When life becomes less enjoyable, it is natural to feel some
alienation. |
Continue your learning |
Integrate your new knowledge into your academic work at St. Norbert.
Also, get involved in internationally-focused student organizations,
such as Phi Beta Delta, Zambia Project, and Beyond Borders. |
| Inability to apply new knowledge |
You may become frustrated by the lack of opportunity to apply newly
gained skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Study abroad returnees also
worry that somehow they will "lose" their experience. |
On-campus resources |
St. Norbert College offers various student support services to assist with re-entry: the Study Abroad Office, Health & Wellness Services, and Career Services, among others.
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Study Abroad ... Again!
Was your experience so unforgettable and life-changing that you want to study abroad again? If you choose to study abroad twice, at least one of your semesters must be spent at an exchange program. Please visit our About page to view the list of exchange programs.
Be sure to collaborate with your academic advisor and your study abroad advisor if you are planning to study abroad for two semesters. While it is possible, it takes flexibility and careful planning.
Post-Graduate Opportunities Abroad
Are you thinking about volunteering, interning, or working abroad following graduation? Be sure to explore our resources for post-graduate international opportunities.
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For more information, contact:
Study Abroad Office
Center for International Education
O: Bemis | Third Floor
E: studyabroad@snc.edu
Rosemary Sands
Director of Study Abroad
O: Bemis 323
T: 920.403.4068
Contact Rosemary
Joyce Tullbane
Associate Director of Study Abroad
O: Bemis 322
T: 920.403.3459
Contact Joyce
Jeremy Doughty
Study Abroad Advisor
O: Bemis 321
T: 920.403.3433
Contact Jeremy
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