Integrating Your International Experience at Home
There are a number of opportunities for you to keep your experience alive, share your stories from abroad, and promote international education on campus. You can easily transform your study abroad experience into one of life-long learning.
Adapted from "Maximizing Study Abroad: A Student's Guide to Strategies for Language and Culture Learning and Use" (by R. Michael Paige, et al.)
- Continue language and intercultural learning, and make new connections: take a foreign language class, join an international student group, and seek out ways in the Tulane community to practice a language or meet people from diverse countries or backgrounds.
- Involve your friends: cook a meal for your friends, or invite them to an international-themed potluck. Organize a time to share photos, where your friends - who may or may not have studied abroad - can share their experiences.
- Keep your international connections alive: keep in touch with the friends you met while abroad. Continue reading the newspapers or websites that you read while in your host country.
- Seek out volunteer or work opportunities in your community: New Orleans is home to hundreds of non-profit organizations and international organizations and companies. Look for opportunities to volunteer, intern, or work with an international company, or with an organization that works with refugees or immigrants.
- Write about your study abroad experience: we welcome your reflections and stories on your time abroad. The Center for Global Education produces the Global Observer and is always looking for new submissions! There are also dozens of magazines, websites, and blogs devoted to the writings of study abroad students such as yourself. As you put your experience into words, you may find yourself learning even more about your own reactions to your time abroad, and you’ll also be helping a new generation of study abroad students enrich their own experiences. You might have a look at online forums such as Transitions Abroad
Additional Resources
Citron, James L. and Vija G. Mendelson, "Coming Home: Relationships, Roots, and Unpacking," Transitions Abroad, 2005.
On-Campus Opportunities
- Share information and answer questions about your program with prospective study abroad students in your field of study and/or residential college. You can also volunteer at Study Abroad events such as the annual Study Abroad Fair or Photo Contest Exhibit.
- Tulane Study Abroad Returnee Contacts: The SARC program provides a platform for study abroad alumni to be a Tulane Study Abroad and the undergraduate community, assisting with promoting study abroad in a variety of ways.
- Help to welcome and support our visiting reciprocal exchange students throughout their stay at Tulane.
- Meet and become involved with degree-seeking international students on campus through the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
- Work with other campus departments and initiatives such as the Office of Multicultural Affairs or the Center for Academic Equity.
- Become involved in international student groups on campus such as the Tulane Chinese Students and Scholars Association or the India Association of Tulane University.
- Find out about volunteer opportunities working with international populations in New Orleans or giving back to your host community abroad, or conduct research abroad, through the Center for Public Service.
On-Campus Resources
Are you considering going abroad again? There are many opportunities for Tulane students both through Tulane offices and departments, and through external organizations.
Fellowship Advising
Tulane University’s Fellowship advisor, can assist you in preparing and applying for various international fellowships, such as Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill, and many, many others.
Diplomat in Residence
Diplomats in Residence are career Foreign Service Officers (assigned to a select group of U.S. Universities) who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities where they serve. This is a great opportunity to learn more about a valuable on-campus resource for students and faculty.
Hire Tulane
Tulane’s Career Services Center is also a valuable resource for future international career opportunities, as well as advice for talking about your international experience on resumes or during interviews.
