Faculty Handbook

Post-program activities

Contact Belinda Singleton within five days of your return to schedule an appointment to reconcile your travel advance.  (See Travel Authorization for details.)

To provide continuity, feedback, and suggestions for future program improvements, returning program leaders are expected to submit an end-of-program report to his/her college Deans’ Designee, department chairperson, and the Director of Study Abroad.  See Study Abroad Faculty Program Report Guidelines in the Appendix for the format.  This report should be submitted within 60 days after return to campus so that the insights, suggestions and comments can influence the planning for the following year’s program.

A study abroad program leader is expected to assist his/her successor with advice regarding recruitment and planning for the next program offering.

Maintain contact with your students.  Chances are that your mentoring and professorial relationship may be the most significant one during your students’ careers.  Assist them with their readjustment and possible reverse culture shock.  Reassure them that as difficult as it is to adapt to an entirely new culture, it can be just as challenging to come back home after being away for any period of time.  It is best to know what they might encounter in order to prepare for this adjustment period.

They can expect to experience some measure of reverse culture shock.  Remind them that the world at home didn’t stop while they were gone.  Upon return home, students may find they aren’t the only ones who have changed during their absence.  Everyone and everything else will have changed too!  Remind them to take time to readjust slowly.

Suggest some of the following ways to use the interests and skills they gained abroad:

• Talk with students from the program or others who have studied abroad.
• Enter the Study Abroad Essay Contest. .
• Enter the Spartans Abroad photo contest or the Global Focus Photography Competition.
• Go to an “Unpacking your Study Abroad Experience” workshop, offered with Career Services and Placement, on how to sell their study abroad experience to employers and graduate schools.
• Develop a Web site for the program.
• Share their experiences by working as an OSA Peer Adviser.
• Participate in a Study Abroad Fair!  Let students know how they can help staff your program's display or working at the Returnee Table.
• Work with international students by volunteering in the Office of International Students and Scholars.
• Get connected with MSU's Area Studies Centers - Africa, Asia, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean, and Europe and Russia.
• Attend the International Opportunities Fair to explore internships, volunteer, work and teaching abroad, and internationally-focused careers .
• Talk about their experience to clubs and groups, including adults and children.
• Make new friends from all over the world and enjoy free coffee at the "International Coffee Hour" every Friday during the semester.
• Join international organizations and clubs.
• Continue foreign language or take courses with an international focus.
• Write for The State News, the Lansing State Journal, or their local home paper.
• Continue studying the host country by taking related courses, reading international papers, viewing films and videos, writing research papers, etc.
• Volunteer to work in the community or on campus.  Help organizations that support community service and development.  Look for groups working with immigrants, refugees, or the aged so they can use their skills of listening, patience and empathy.
• Start thinking about when and how they can return abroad.  They can participate in additional study abroad programs; apply to graduate schools abroad; apply for Fulbright Scholarships to study and conduct research; find employment possibilities while they were abroad; join the Peace Corps; or just return to visit host family & friends.
• Explore Phi Beta Delta, the first national honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.
• Integrate the best of the two cultures.  It is not necessary to give up one at the expense of another!