Letters to Yourself: Writing Activity 1
Thursday, September 25, 2008

Fears and Expectations

This activity was adapted from "A Guide to preparing SIT Study Abroad Students to Re-adjust to the United States after Study Abroad" by Stacey K. Woody, 1995 and from the website "What's Up With Culture" (http://www.pacific.edu/sis/culture/).

(During Orientation)

Use this worksheet to reflect upon your fears and expectations of the study abroad semester. If you prefer, you may choose to write a letter to yourself on a separate sheet of paper addressing some of these issues. When you are finished, put it in a sealed envelope with your name on it. Save it in a safe place or give it to your AD until the end of the semester.

1. What are the five things that you are most looking forward to about studying abroad?

2. What are the five things you believe you will miss most from home when you are abroad?

3. What are the five things (people, places, activities, etc.) you believe you will miss least from home when you are abroad?

4. My greatest single challenge overseas will be:

5. Other thoughts or reflections: 

Return to Personal/Emotional Aspects of Re-entry Page.