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I'm Back from Study Abroad. Now What?!

At NYU, we strongly believe that your study abroad experience shouldn't end when you get back to the United States. NYU’s Office of Global Programs organizes many things to keep your international experience alive once you've returned to the U.S. Here are some highlights:

Returning Student Programming.

To help you readjust to life in NYC, the Office of Global Programs has created a series of programming for its study abroad alumni, including internationally-focused career service events, a Global Ambassador program, and a reunion lunch series! Eligible students will be contacted with event details and information on how to RSVP about one week before the event. Fall 2009 Returning Student Programming includes:

Events For Everyone

Friday, Oct. 9, 12:00-1:30pm in Wasserman, Presentation Room B

From Suitcase to Briefcase: Study Abroad & Your Career: A special program about how to incorporate study abroad experience into your globally-focused job search. Learn how to effectively market your overseas experience to prospective employers and how to conduct your job search in the international arena. Finally, join us for a tour of the Wasserman Center including an overview of the many resources and tools to assist in your job exploration.

Tuesday, November 17th, 5:30-7PM in Wasserman, Presentation Room B

My Time Abroad - A Retrospective Look at Professional Gain: Hear from a panel of professionals who have had a variety of experiences living, studying and working abroad. Learn how these experiences ultimately contributed to success in their personal and professional lives.

Site-Specific Lunch Reunion Series

This lunch series will provide you with an opportunity early in the semester to reconnect with your study abroad friends over lunch and to rehash your abroad experiences.

Tuesday, Sept. 15:

NYU in Paris

Wednesday, Sept. 16

NYU in London

Thursday, Sept. 17

NYU in Prague

Tuesday, Sept. 22

NYU in Shanghai

Wednesday, Sept. 23

NYU in Florence

Thursday, Sept. 24

NYU in Buenos Aires

Tuesday, Sept. 29

NYU in Madrid

Wednesday, Sept. 30

NYU in Ghana

Thursday, Oct. 1

NYU in Berlin

Become A Global Ambassador.

The Global Ambassador program allows returning study abroad students to share their experiences with the NYU community, in particular students considering studying abroad.  The Global Ambassador program provides an invaluable opportunity for students to spread the inspiration, global knowledge and excitement that students have gained from their experiences abroad.

What do Global Ambassadors do?
Global Ambassadors are involved in a range of projects, including organizing and attending study abroad recruitment events, the compilation of student-authored study abroad guides, and more. For updated versions of the Global Ambassador guides, please click here. Each ambassador choses which particular projects to become engaged in and may even initiate their own programming! Ambassadors also make themselves available to be in communication with prospective study abroad students.

How can I become a Global Ambassador?
The Office of Global Programs is currently recruiting ambassadors! For more details about the program and to sign up, please attend our info session on Monday, Sept. 14th from 6-7:30pm in the Uhall Atrium.

Study Abroad Alumni Newsletter: International Living at NYU

Expect a new edition of International Living at NYU every month, where we provide you with information on internationally-themed resources and events around New York City and at NYU. Living in New York, we know that there is an overwhelming number of events for you to chose from, so we'll try to make it easy for you and present you with the highlights! You can find the latest edition here.

Leverage Your International Experience

NYU’s Wasserman Career Center has many resources that can help you showcase your international experience on your resume and in job interviews.  They can also help you look for internship and career opportunities available in which you can productively integrate your experience abroad into your professional life. To be redirected to the Wasserman website, click here. Definitely explore the Global Career Resources section!

How Can I Go Abroad Again?

Many students study abroad for more than one semester.  If you're interested in studying abroad with NYU again, you can read about all of our programs here. Or, perhaps you're more interested in doing an international exchange? Click here for more information.

Re-adjustment and Reverse Culture Shock

Coming back home can be difficult -- sometimes even more difficult than going abroad. Now that you're back you might notice some things that were once familiar have become foreign. Hearing new songs on the radio, new fashion trends, new slang, etc. can trigger “reverse culture shock.” Don't ignore these sentiments and know that they are completely normal. Look out for the following feelings:

  • “Reverse homesickness.”This happens when students deeply miss their abroad friends, international host families, and the city where they lived during the study abroad experience.

  • “Relationships have changed.” When students return home, they may experience a change in the relationships that they had with their family and/or friends. Many students expect that everything will be exactly the same when they return home, neglecting that much can change in six months.

  • “You can’t explain.”Some friends and family will be extremely open to hearing stories and seeing pictures, yet students returning from abroad often find it frustratingly difficult to put their experience into words, especially if the friends and/or family members in question have not traveled much.

  • “People misunderstand.” Accidentally using a foreign language, wearing a new hairstyle or new clothing, etc. may be seen as showing off, whereas to the returning student, these behaviors are completely normal.

  • “Feelings of alienation.” When students return from abroad, many develop new dislikes for aspects of their home country. Many students become hypercritical and constantly reminisce about how things in their study abroad site were much better than they are in this country.

  • “Boredom.” Students return from a semester of adventure and excitement, where each day brought a new challenge and learning opportunity. Many students return to their “old routine” with their family and friends and are disillusioned with how uninteresting life can feel in their home country.

Should you strongly experience any of these feelings, please contact us. We're here to help. You can also contact the NYU Wellness Exchange. They offer a private, 24/7 hotline that puts you in touch with professionals who can help you address day-to-day challenges as well as most other health-related concerns. The Wellness Exchange can be reached at (212) 443-9999. To be redirected to the Wellness Exchange website, please click here.

Additional Resources

In addition to events organized by our office, there are many events around NYU as well as throughout NYC that may help you stay connected to your international experience.

Resources for On-Campus Programming
Africa House
Asian / Pacific / American Institute
Center for Multicultural Education and Program
China House
Deutsches House
Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life
Glucksman Ireland House
Institute of African-American Affairs
King Juan Carlos Center I of Spain Center
La Casa Italiana
La Maison Francaise
Office for International Students and Scholars
Remarque Institute
Skirball Center for Performing Arts
Speaking Freely

Resources for events around NYC
Alliance Francaise
Asia Society
British Council USA
China Institute
Czech Center NY
German Academic Exchange Service
Germany in NYC
Israeli Consulate - Cultural events
Italian Cultural Institute
Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
World Music Institute

Visiting Students

We are glad you spent time abroad at one of NYU’s global sites!  Please consider joining our Study Abroad External Student Ambassador program. As part of this program, you will receive invitations to join NYU at study abroad fairs occurring at your school, you will be able to plan and run your own NYU Study Abroad recruitment events on your campus, and you may occasionally be asked to answer questions from other students who are interested in studying abroad though NYU. If you would like to join this program, please send an e-mail to julie.shurts@nyu.edu.

If you need to request a copy of your transcript from your semester with NYU, please click here.  Or, if you’d like to go abroad with NYU again, please click here.