Let’s work together to help returnees through this challenging time! Below you’ll find a screencast, returnee handout, and a list of ideas for keeping returnees connected to their host country(ies) and each other.
UPDATE: I’m developing an online workshop on how to support returnees during this crisis. Register here!
Screencast:
Returnee Handout:
Click here to download the handout (PDF). It’s fillable, so returnees can type right in the PDF or they can print it out. Feel free to download the handout and share it with your returnees.
Ideas for using the 4-page handout:
- Email the whole thing to students and have them reflect individually.
- Email one page at a time with additional words of wisdom over the next few weeks.
- Use it as a springboard for 1:1 or group conversations.
- Share with faculty/program leaders and encourage them to use it as a springboard for conversations or debriefing with returnees.
- Use prompts in social media or emails.
Additional Resources:
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a program, I may earn small commission. This is at no additional cost to you.
- This handout (PDF) & audio about identifying emotions during an unexpected re-entry.
- Re-entry Roadmap workbook (hardcopy and Kindle version on Amazon; email me at cate @ smallplanetstudio.com for fillable PDF copies you can easily email to returnees) – this is especially helpful for returnees who don’t have the opportunity to debrief with others. I’d have them work through the one or both of the above handouts, first, though.
- Study Abroad Re-entry Toolkit
- 10 questions to ask your returnees (shared with permission from the University of North Dakota’s International Center)
Helpful Articles
Note – let me know of any other helpful articles and I’ll add it to this list. - When you’re forced to break up with living abroad. (SPS)
- Help for an unexpected re-entry. (SPS)
- The one thing all returnees want. (SPS)
- That discomfort you’re feeling is grief (The Atlantic)
- Anxiety is contagious. Here’s how to contain it. (Harvard Business Review)
- Self-awareness and well being for educators (Ellen Mahoney)
- Dealing with reverse culture shock and mental health during COVID-19 (USAC)
Ideas for Helping Students Stay Connected
Note – if you have something to add to this list, let me know and I’ll add it. - Watch a Netflix movie from or related to the host country as a group
- Go on a virtual tour in the host country together
- Learn a mindfulness exercise or yoga together via Zoom
- Take a free class together that relates to their host country
- Meet in Zoom for weekly breakfast or “happy hour”
- Create a playlist that reminds returnees of their host country (or group)
- Create a playlist that is calming or empowering
- Hold an early photo/video contest
- Share/cook host country recipes
- Social distancing bracket (download)
- Read a book from the host country and discuss it on Zoom
- Celebrate a host country holiday together
- Virtual spirit week (dress up and share photos – make it host country related!)
- Stay at home scavenger hunt (twitter thread – make this host country related!)
*Several of the ideas above were mentioned in the Higher Ed and the Coronavirus Facebook group.
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