Continuing Your Global Experience

You're returning from study away with great stories, exciting experiences and a new perspective and understanding of yourself and the world around you. Be sure to engage with your new passions and interests once you return; expanding upon what you learned while studying away and understanding those issues within a larger framework is what we would consider your academic reintegration as a student and scholar within the Global Network University.

Find ways to actively integrate your new knowledge, interests and skills into your collegiate experience.  In order to stay academically connected, consider the following tips:

• Take a course that delves into an area you aren’t familiar with, challenge yourself to find ways to apply what you already know to this new field.

• Continue studying the local language. NYU offers Speaking Freely which meets once a week and offers different levels, for free.

• Consider an independent study to supplement your university curriculum through additional research and/or papers.

• Participate in university clubs related to issues relevant to your academic interests (human rights, ecology, public health, etc).

• Explore the possibility of an experiential learning internship for academic credit. Highlight your talents useful and new skills through your search.

• Publish stories or articles about your study away experience on your campus through school newspapers, blogs, or campus media.

• Attend (or present!) at conferences, seminars, or presentations that connect your new interests from studying away to your academic concentration. Be sure to highlight these on your newly updated resume!

• Get involved in freshman orientation and encourage incoming freshmen to study away.  Share your knowledge and experiences with new students and their parents.

• Reflect on your academic experiences studying away as you begin your senior thesis (if required).

• Talk with your academic advisor or professors about integrating your experiences into your academic career. They may suggest new venues and opportunities that you may not have originally considered.

• Identify departments or institutes on campus that focus on your areas of interest.  Attend any co-curricular community events they host to meet leaders and experts in the field - you may find new guidance and extend your scholarly interests.

• Go beyond campus - check out the websites of local cultural organizations or embassies to see what events they may have.

• Subscribe to magazines, newspapers, blogs, or Twitter feeds of your away location or online media to be in the know.