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Reflections
Returning home
from a semester or year abroad can give you an excellent opportunity
to ponder changes in your perspectives on your host culture, your
home culture and yourself. Below are some questions which may assist
you in learning more about the new you. If you kept a journal while
abroad, you may gain some insights into these changes by re-reading
your entries:
About the
host culture:
- What have
I learned while in the host culture(s) that I did not know previously?
Has this changed my view of the host culture(s)?
- Was I able
to learn of all aspects of the host culture(s) including non-university-related
areas - e.g. how are children and the elderly treated in the host
culture(s)?
- What stereotypes
did I have of the host culture(s) before I departed? Have these
changed in any way?
- Did I pick
up any new stereotypes or biases? Are they valid?
- If I studied
a language, how has that changed my views of the host culture(s)?
Is my language study complete or do I need to study it further
in order to perfect my language skills and understand the culture?
- What can
I do to continue deepening my understanding of the host culture(s)?
About your
home culture:
- How have
my attitudes about my home culture changed? What has caused these
changes?
- By being
abroad and able to compare my culture with a different culture(s),
what have I learned about the history, values and traditions that
make up my home culture?
- What can
I do to continue deepening my understanding of my home culture?
About myself:
- How have
I changed during the sojourn abroad? Do I feel more confident,
independent or cosmopolitan? How can I express these changes to
my friends and family in a non-threatening manner?
- What new
skills do I possess? For example: knowledge of a different culture(s),
adaptation skills, second-language proficiency, creative problem-solving,
tolerance, increased human relations skills, etc.
- In what ways
can I apply what I learned abroad for personal, academic or career-related
development?
- How have
my personal values changed because of my study abroad experience?
(Source:
Brown University, Office of International Programs, website: www.brown.edu/Administration/OIP/files/returnees/reflections.html)
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