Returning Home
Congratulations! You just had the kind of experience that, nationally, only 10% of students have during their undergraduate careers. You adjusted to a new place, culture, and different styles of learning. You made some mistakes and you learned from them. You made new friends and know a bit more about the world than you did pre-departure. Now, you're back in the U.S., maybe thinking: Now what?
Adjusting to life back in the U.S. is not easy for everyone. You may feel like you've changed. It may take some time and reflection before you feel some of the impacts of your experiences abroad. You may also find yourself missing aspects of your international experience. There are many ways to keep your global momentum going. Go abroad again or have an international experience here in the Twin Cities through globally focused student groups and organizations. Below are some of our favorite options.
Organizational Steps
First, there are a few steps you should take in the first few weeks of returning home.- Authorize your program to send your transcript to the St. Thomas Registrar's Office.
- Monitor your St. Thomas degree evaluation to ensure courses match your course approval form. Transcripts usually arrive at St Thomas 6-8 weeks after program ends.
Share Your Experience!
We always want to hear from you. If you have a special picture, anecdote , or a lesson from abroad that impacted you, send it our way by emailing studyabroad@stthomas.eduu.
Re-entry Resources
Here are some external resources you can use to navigate your return from your study abroad program:
Study Abroad Alumni Events
Go Abroad Again
Study Abroad – That's right! Many students study abroad more than once. You know the drill, get in touch with our office if you'd like to study abroad again.
Intern Abroad – Get ready for the global workplace by interning abroad. There are both part-time semester and full-time summer international internship opportunities.
VISION – J-Term and spring break volunteer service trips in the U.S. and overseas.
Post-graduate Work and Volunteering Abroad
Do you want to continue your education abroad? There are many overseas graduate school options, as well as a variety of research and teaching grants for recent college graduates.
Teaching abroad provides a steady job while allowing you to immerse yourself into a culture, gain new perspectives, and explore another education system. Requirements, pay, housing, and program fees vary by country, so research carefully.
Working abroad allows you to be abroad for varying lengths of time. Most programs make you pay for your round-trip airfare and some charge a program fee, but you earn enough to cover your food, housing, and other costs. There are also opportunities for more long-term international employment.
Work Abroad Short-Term:
Work Abroad Long-Term:
International volunteer opportunities are another great way to live abroad. You will be in charge of paying for your round-trip airfare. Some programs charge a program fee and then cover most of your meals and sometimes housing. Others provide your housing for your volunteer efforts. The lengths of time abroad vary, along with the type of work you'll be doing.
Local Opportunities
Internationally Focused Student Clubs and Organizations
Community Involvement
Explore home! There are many international communities and organizations in the Twin Cities.
Programs listed on this page are in no way affiliated with the University of St Thomas. They have been gathered here to provide a research starting point for interested students, but have not been evaluated for quality, health and safety, or value of experience.
Work for the Office of Study Abroad
Peer Advisors – We hire several semester/year study abroad alumni each year to help us with advising prospective study abroad students, visiting classrooms, attending info fairs, working at orientation, and generally helping out around the office. Watch your St Thomas e-mail for the application process during the summer.
Program Alumni Ambassadors – We periodically hire alumni of St Thomas programs to speak at pre-departure meetings and attend study abroad fairs. Opportunities vary and may be paid or unpaid. If you are interested in serving as an ambassador for a St Thomas program you attended, e-mail our office at studyabroad@stthomas.edu
Student Clubs & Organizations
Internationally Focused Student Clubs and Organizations
Community Involvement
Community Involvement
Explore home! There are many international communities and organizations in the Twin Cities.
Programs listed on this page are in no way affiliated with the University of St Thomas. They have been gathered here to provide a research starting point for interested students, but have not been evaluated for quality, health and safety, or value of experience.
Work for Study Abroad
Work for the Office of Study Abroad
Peer Advisors – We hire several semester/year study abroad alumni each year to help us with advising prospective study abroad students, visiting classrooms, attending info fairs, working at orientation, and generally helping out around the office. Watch your St Thomas e-mail for the application process during the summer.
Program Alumni Ambassadors – We periodically hire alumni of St Thomas programs to speak at pre-departure meetings and attend study abroad fairs. Opportunities vary and may be paid or unpaid. If you are interested in serving as an ambassador for a St Thomas program you attended, e-mail our office at studyabroad@stthomas.edu