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Re-thinking Re-entry: A New Approach to Supporting Students After Abroad
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- 2. A NEW APPROACH TOSUPPORTING STUDENTS AFTER ABROAD A NEW APPROACH TO SUPPORTING STUDENTS AFTER ABROAD by Cate Brubaker, PhD Author of the Study Abroad Re-entry Toolkit & the Re-entry Roadmap workbook
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- 4. Getting students to attendre-entry programming! LIFT PAGE TO SEE ANSWER The #1 Re-entry Challenge?
- 5. However...even though the numberof students who do participate in re-entry programming is often low, those who do participate have positive things to say about the events they attended!
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- 7. LIFT PAGE TOSEE ANSWER Challenge #2 Helping students 1) deeply grasp how re-entry impacts them while 2) providing the right kind of support to meet their needs.
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- 9. LIFT PAGE TOSEE ANSWER Challenge #3 Not all study abroad staff have the bandwidth or resources to create more effective re- entry programming, even if they want to.
- 10. Returnees often relyon coping strategies that help in the short-term but don't serve them in the long run. PROBLEM #1
- 11. Such as... Staying superbusy Seeking distraction Muddling through alone Compartmentalizing Immediately going abroad again Complaining & commiserating
- 12. The subtle, invisible& emotionally charged elements of re-entry float to the surface at different times, in different intensities, and in different ways for different returnees. PROBLEM #2
- 13. by Cate Brubaker,PhD Author of The Study Abroad Re-entry Toolkit & The Re-entry Roadmap The Re-entry Iceberg
- 14. Rocks accumulate in returnees' "Re-entryBackpack." PROBLEM #3
- 16. Picture a backpack. Nowimagine that a rock is magically placed in your backpack each night while you’re asleep. At first, it’s no a big deal. You don’t even notice the rocks as you carry your backpack around all day. And you actually get a little stronger from carrying the extra weight around. But then, as more and more rocks are added each night, your backpack gets heavier and heavier and heavier... What's a Re-entry Backpack?
- 17. until it becomesSO full of rocks that your backpack drags you down and prevents you from moving forward. We all carry a re-entry backpack, and we’ve all got rocks in that backpack dragging us down. The good news? With the right approach, those re-entry rocks can be turned into stepping stones to something better!
- 18. by Cate Brubaker,PhD Author of The Study Abroad Re-entry Toolkit & The Re-entry Roadmap WHAT'S WORKING?
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- 20. Consider all ofthe "nooks and crannies" where you can fit in a bit of re-entry programming. Can you give campus career councilors a few re-entry coaching questions? How can you use Instagram to share reflection questions throughout the year? Can you set up an email autoresponder series for returnees?
- 21. EQUIP STAFF & FACULTYTO PROCESS THEIR OWN RE-ENTRY
- 22. Not only willstaff and faculty benefit personally, they will find it easier and be more inspired to support students in re-entry.
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- 24. Doing so helpsreturnees identify the characteristics and sources of their unique re-entry challenges and experiences.
- 25. TALK ABOUT "FORWARD ADJUSTMENT" (instead ofreadjustment)
- 26. Most returnees internally"rebel" against readjusting because it feels like going backwards. Yet returnees want to feel happy and connected while at home. The solution? Adjusting forwards, which is figuring out how to be happy and connected at home while still confidently moving towards what's next as the person you are now.
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- 28. Returnees often copeby relying on a few people to meet their emotional needs. That sets everyone up for disappointment. A better approach? Help students create a a re-entry support ecosystem. They’ll know exactly who to go to when they need a boost, and they'll be more likely to get the support they need when they most need it.
- 29. HELP STUDENTS FIND THEIR GLOBALLIFE INGREDIENTS
- 30. Most returnees fearlosing the global element of their life abroad. Help students find their Global Life Ingredients and not only will they expand their idea of global, they'll always live a global life, no matter where they are.
- 31. RE-FRAME RE-ENTRY AS A "RESTAREA" (rather than as an end)
- 32. What if, insteadof looking at re-entry as a sad ending, returnees were to look at re- entry as a "rest area" that offers a unique space to rest, reflect, and refuel after abroad?