Degree Name
MA in International Education
First Advisor
Linda Gobbo
Abstract
This study looks at the learning and changes international students believe they have experienced after a semester or more of study in the United States, and how these changes affect their re-entry experience to their home countries. Data was gathered from international students anticipating their return home, as well as from students who had recently returned home, and from professionals working with these students. The findings reveal that changes do occur as a result of a significant cross-cultural experience. International students also show concern that the re-entry transition may be difficult because of these changes within themselves, some tangible, some more value oriented, and that family, friends and colleagues may have different reactions to these changes. Some strategies for coping with the re-entry transition are also discussed.
The findings generally concur with previous literature written on the subject of re-entry, and they show that it is possible to experience significant personal growth and change as well as re-entry culture shock after studying in the US for just five to six months. This study may be useful to International Student Advising offices to plan programs to help students formulate realistic expectations of their re-entry to their home countries, and to help them to integrate their cross-cultural experience into their daily lives at home.
Disciplines
Civic and Community Engagement | Educational Sociology | International and Comparative Education | Place and Environment | Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology of Culture | Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Recommended Citation
Pilling, Barbara, "“There’s No Place Like Home”, But Am I Ready For It? International Students’ Re-Entry Transition Experience" (2009). Capstone Collection. 2396.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/2396