Take Time to Readjust
When you were abroad, you immersed yourself in a new culture and way of life. You had many exciting experiences that challenged you—and changed you, although you may not have realized it at the time.
You've grown academically and as a person. After studying abroad, you may need some time to integrate your new perspectives, habits, preferences, and goals into your daily life.
How to Return and Thrive
Give yourself time.
Your transition back to a U.S. lifestyle may feel jarring. Remember that you have successfully handled transitions in your lifestyle and self-perception before—including when you went abroad.
Rediscover your favorite things about Cornell.
Do things that made you fall in love with this beautiful university in the first place. Take a walk along the gorges, watch the sun set over Libe Slope, reconnect with your favorite professors and student organizations, and spend time catching up with good friends.
Keep in touch with friends you made abroad.
Keep in touch with friends you met while studying abroad, and you’ll have friends around the world for a lifetime! Back home, connect with Cornellians who studied in your program—or make new friends who have had similar international experiences.
Keep your study abroad experience alive.
Your time abroad taught you to celebrate differences in how cultures approach daily life. Bringing back some of your favorite habits from your newly adopted culture will help keep your experience alive. Drink tea with milk, have a hearty breakfast of upma, or go on a treasure hunt for the perfect croissant!
Get involved in global activities on campus.
Challenge yourself academically and socially to continue learning about the world and its people. The Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies is a great place to start!
Pay your knowledge forward.
Volunteer to connect with prospective study abroad students by filling out Education Abroad's Engagement Form. Education Abroad periodically hosts events for study abroad student outreach as well as the Contact a Past Participant page.
Plan your next international adventure.
If you loved your experience studying abroad, consider finding a way to live and work internationally after you graduate. Explore Your Future Abroad to learn about international work and volunteer opportunities for new graduates and how you can effectively present your international experience to employers.
