• Give yourself time to work through what you are feeling, and give your family time for the same.
• At home you may feel as if things are just a little "off," but you will not immediately be able to discern why. Everything will look and feel familiar, but you may also feel that there is something out of place. It will be helpful to take time out occasionally to think about what you are feeling, and how your views of home and culture have changed.
• You will be more aware of how your home looks when you go back. This heightened awareness will last just a short time. Take advantage of that time by keeping a journal. Look at it later, and think about why you noticed the things you did, and how your perceptions changed.
• After returning home, people report that everyone says, "Tell me about your trip," listens for a few minutes, then proceeds to talk about something else. Before long people stop asking altogether. Learn to give short responses, focusing on just one or two ideas about what you did while you were abroad. You might like to write some ideas down even before you leave. Save your long discussions for those who have been in the U.S. or for helping prepare students coming to the U.S.
• Respond thoughtfully when you first return to your home and work. Do not try to change the way things are done because you now know a "better" way. Show people that you appreciate the way things are, and as opportunities arise, integrate your new knowledge with local traditions.
• Reserve judgment. Give yourself time to process what you learned, and think through the larger impact of introducing new ways of doing things. What works in one situation, may not work in another. Try new things gradually.
• Be sensitive to other people's feelings. Are they really not interested in your experiences, or are they envious because they have not had the same opportunity?
• Try not to idealize the United States and criticize your country - and vice-versa. Be careful about how you phrase your comments about your country. Many international students are shocked when they first come to the United States at how free Americans are to criticize, but eventually they become comfortable doing the same. Do not forget that it may not be acceptable to speak so bluntly at home.
• Expect a time of adjustment. Be flexible, keep your sense of humor, and relax.
• Find alumni, graduates of other institutions in the U.S. or other countries, or Americans abroad with whom to discuss your experiences. They will probably welcome the chance to talk about their experiences too. Write your ideas and feelings to a friend if you cannot find someone with whom to talk at home.
• The OISS Alumni Network is active and needs you! Connect with other international alumni who are in the U.S. and abroad. Join the annual alumni reception during commencement weekend each May. Subscribe to oiss.alumni@nyu.edu with your permanent e-mail address. This list enables former students to continue to communicate with friends around the world. It also provides a forum for the discussion of re-entry issues, a means for new returnees to find others who have already arrived at home, and a global career network. You may send an e-mail with your name, NYU student number, and current mailing address to intl.students.scholars@nyu.edu requesting that you be added to the list.

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