Debrief
One of the most important things you can do when you return home is put aside some time to debrief or reflect and talk about your experience. It doesn’t have to happen immediately and it can be done in different ways, but it’s a vital step in processing your emotions, reflecting on your challenges and success, gaining support and understanding how you have changed. A good first step is to take some time to consider your experience abroad once you have a little distance from it. Ask yourself some questions. Was your experience what you thought it would be? What did you accomplish? How have you changed? Has this affected your future plans? You don’t need to know all the answers, but it’s helpful to think about.
If you volunteered or studied through a sending organization, there may be opportunities to do a formal debrief in-person or over the phone. We highly recommend you take advantage of any available opportunities as they will be helpful to you and to others as this is often a great time to provide constructive feedback to the organization.
Less formal debriefs can also be very useful. Take the opportunity to meet up with other returnees or people in your life who have had similar experiences. They will usually be able to relate to your stories from abroad and may have helpful tips on how transition back into your life at home. If you are having a hard time finding someone to talk to, check out alumni networks, school groups, social media groups or local meet-ups in your area.
Share Your Experience
Sharing your experience with your family, friends and wider community is a great way to engage them in your experience. If you were volunteering or working with a non-profit, it can engage them with the issues you care about and raise awareness about the projects or communities you were involved with. This can take place through informal conversations or planned presentations. There are many opportunities that you can take advantage of and you should consider trying at least one. Below are some initial ideas to help you get started. This can also be a great tool for networking and building contacts for future career prospects. Not to mention good practice for your presentation and public-speaking skills!
If you’d like to present (or write) about your time abroad to your larger community, here are some tips of places that might be interested. Some organizations also offer speaker bureau opportunities, so be sure to check what is available if you are affiliated with a sending organization.
Public Presentations
- Local schools (especially if you are an alumnus)
- Rotary clubs
- Churches or places of worship
- Community centres
- Youth groups
- Places of employment (brown bag lunch series)
Written Pieces
- Local newspaper/Op-ed
- Social media (be sure to check out these social media guidelines)
Other Reminders
- Schedule a checkup with your doctor. If you have any unusual symptoms upon your return (lingering headaches, persistent diarrhea, blood in urine, etc.) seek medical attention immediately.
- Contact your bank and credit card company to let them know you have returned.
- Resume any memberships, bills, etc. that you may have put on hold in your absence.
- Keep in touch with relevant professional contacts for future networking purposes.
