My Re-entry Story: Kerianne Baylor, the Importance of Grace and Reflection

ByDr. Cate Brubaker #MyReentryStory

Kerianne Baylor is a curious world wanderer, a lover of languages, ice cream addict, and RELAUNCH! Virtual Re-entry Retreat speaker! She’s been adventuring since she studied in Spain. After teaching English on the Colombian coast and then in an equally-as-hot coastal city in Brazil as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Kerianne is just starting to define what a global life means to her. You’ll find Kerianne at www.keriannebaylor.com.

Hi, Kerianne! Where were you abroad and what did you do there?

I was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at Universidade Federal de Alagoas in Maceió, Brazil.

What was your re-entry experience like?

It’s currently happening and quite honestly, it’s super tough. Rocking up to my home in NJ feels weighted and despite being surrounded by loved ones, it feels a bit lonely. It’s as if I left an entire part of me in Maceió.

Young girl wearing blue sunglasses in front of the ocean

What do you know *now* about re-entry shock that you wish you’d known earlier?

Acknowledging its presence and anticipating its challenges – that it’s okay to want ‘me time’ and processing time. You owe yourself that much grace and reflection.

What’s your #1 tip for those in re-entry right now?

Lean on your support, whether that’s friends from abroad or home or family members – whoever understands what you’re going through.

Hello, I'm Dr. Cate Brubaker! Are you a returnee who has been surprised to find your return "home" harder than going abroad? I created the Re-entry Roadmap workbook just for you. If you work with returnees, I'm here to help you with innovative resources and training that will make it easier to provide meaningful support for your returnees.