Letters to yourself: Writing Activity 3
Thursday, September 25, 2008

Reflecting Upon Re-entry

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/).

(Several weeks or months after the end of the study abroad program)

Complete this worksheet reflecting upon your re-entry experience. If you prefer, you may choose to write a letter to yourself on a separate sheet of paper addressing some of these issues.

Now read the worksheet or letter you wrote to yourself at the end of your semester abroad and compare it with what you just wrote. Any surprises? What can you learn from these reflections?

When you are finished, discuss both worksheets/letters with a friend or family member. You might consider contacting someone from your study abroad program or someone else you know who has also gone through the re-entry process.

1. The five things that have bothered me most about being home are:

2. The five things I have enjoyed most about being home are:

3. The five international things (people, places, situations, etc.) I miss the least since I have returned home are:

4. The five things (people, places, activities, etc.) I miss most from abroad since I have returned home are:

5. How might any of this apply to my future expectations about my life after graduation and the significant changes I can probably expect as part of my personal and professional life? How can I apply the skills and knowledge I gained as part of study abroad in all the important areas of my life and future transitions?

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