One of the biggest impacts you can have on your student throughout the study abroad process will be after the “abroad” part is finished and the student is back home. Readjusting to home is often more difficult than adjusting to a foreign culture. This is often called Reentry Shock, and it is a shock because students don’t think they are going to have a difficult time at all. After all, this is home.

Your student may express negative opinions about the U.S. in general, as well as specifics such as culture, food, and how boring their hometown is. Don’t worry—this is completely natural. You can help your student process these feelings by keeping communications open between you, asking questions about your student’s experience, and not being defensive about any negativity. Although the negative opinions are often of short duration, readjustment to home culture can take quite a while; it may be immediate, it may take six months or longer. Everyone adjusts at a different rate, depending on their own experience and personality.

This will be a difficult time for you as well as you help your student through the adjustment process. Here are some tips for you to help you through this process:

Be patient and remind yourself that things will get better.
Encourage your student to explore what there is to do in your city. There is often much more being offered than the student is aware of—this can help show the student that there is a lot to do in American cities as well!
Show real interest in their stories and photos. Students will find that their friends will quickly tire of hearing their stories and looking at their photos—they need someone who is truly interested.
Encourage your student to create a photo album or scrapbook that includes select photos, ticket stubs, letters or emails, and anything else that will help remind them of their experience abroad. This activity can be helpful during the adjustment process.
Your student also needs to understand that life didn’t stop because they weren’t there. Once your student has told you everything, let them know what has changed at home, what you have been doing, etc. Take them on a tour of town to see what is different.
If you need support, don’t hesitate to contact Abroadco and/or the university study abroad office for more suggestions. Both are experienced in dealing with reentry issues and can help.