Enhancing your Study Abroad Experience After you’ve Returned

By: Michelle Campbell

As all study abroad alumni know, the thirst for adventure and new experiences continues to thrive long after the return flight to the U.S. has ended.  No matter where you call home, there are always opportunities to participate in activities to quench that thirst and enhance your study abroad experience. Whether you enjoyed meeting new people, going to cultural events, or dinning on delicious foreign food while abroad, there is always something you can find in the States to expand your global perspective even further.

Participate in Academic Programs with an International Component

If you are an enrolled student at a college or university, there may be one or two academic  
programs your study abroad experience can apply toward. At Florida State, there are two programs that include an ‘international experience’ portion: The Garnet and Gold Scholars Society and Global Pathways. Whether you studied, interned, or volunteered abroad, you’re experience can count as one of the components for each of these programs as a Florida State student. If you are interested in similar opportunities at your school, speak to your advisor to see what is available.

Participate in Cultural Exchange Organizations

This is another option for those still in school. Due to the high amount of students that come to the U.S. to study abroad, there are some universities and colleges that have established organizations to encourage foreign and American students to interact with one another. InternatioNole at Florida State is one of them. InternatioNole encourages students to “learn from, interact with, and have fun with one another through cultural, social, educational, and services activities on and off campus.” Don’t have an organization like this at your school? Consider starting one yourself! It’s a great way to get to know students from all over the world and participate in various cultural activities.

 

Become an English Tutor or Conversation Partner

Foreigners that move to the States without knowing much English or wish to brush up on their language skills seek out programs to learn or practice English with native speakers. Many of these programs look for volunteers to be tutors and conversation partners. You don’t have to be an English language guru in order to participate. Trainings are usually held to prepare tutors or conversation partners for what they will be doing. By volunteering for one of these programs, you’re able to assist individuals with a useful skill while establishing a new relationship with someone of a different culture and background. If you are a Florida State student or Tallahassee resident interested in one of these programs, Florida State’s Center for Intensive English Studies has a great conversation partner program and the Leroy Collins Library has an English tutor program (contact the library for more information).

Get your TEFL Certification
Interested in going back abroad? Consider checking off more places on your bucket list while gaining professional work experience abroad with a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. With a TEFL certification, you can teach English in almost any country. There are different levels of the TEFL certification available, so do your research regarding what is required or recommended for the country in which you wish to teach. During your certification process, some programs provide hands on experience with teaching individuals whose primary language is not English. Students at Florida State can enroll in a TEFL program through The Center for Intensive English Studies.