Phase 4: Return & Reflect

Returning from a semester or summer abroad is often an overlooked part of the education abroad experience. Students often come home with new perspectives, greater independence, stronger intercultural skills, and meaningful memories. At the same time, returning to Moravian, routines, academics, and friendships can take adjustment.

The Center for Global Education encourages students to take time to reflect on their experience, reconnect with campus resources, and consider how their time abroad can shape their academic, personal, and professional goals.

Upon return, students should confirm that their host institution or affiliate provider sends an official transcript to Moravian University, or if they should request it. Once Moravian's Office of the Registrar receives the transcript, courses will be compared to the pre-approved coursework sheet and processed according to the student’s course pre-approval plan.

Students should:

  • Confirm that their official transcript has been sent to Moravian
  • Keep copies of syllabi, coursework, and major assignments when possible
  • Review their Moravian record once transfer credits are posted
  • Contact their Education Abroad Advisor if something does not appear as expected
  • Follow up promptly if the final credit transfer differed from the pre-approved plan

Transfer credit processing can take time and depends on when the official transcript is received from the host institution or provider.

Re-entry can bring a mix of emotions. Some students feel excited to return, while others may feel disconnected, restless, overwhelmed, or unsure how to share what they experienced abroad. A combination of these reactions are common and are often part of what is called “reverse culture shock.”

Students are encouraged to give themselves time to adjust, reconnect with supportive people, and seek help when needed.

If returning to Moravian feels difficult, students do not have to navigate that transition alone. Counseling & Psychological Services can support students experiencing stress, anxiety, sadness, isolation, identity questions, or difficulty readjusting after time away.

Reflection helps students make meaning of their experience abroad and recognize the skills they developed. Students are encouraged to think about how their time away shaped their independence, adaptability, communication, language learning, intercultural awareness, academic interests, and future goals.

Consider:

  • What surprised me most about myself while abroad?
  • What did I learn about another culture, and what did I learn about my own?
  • How did I handle unfamiliar or challenging situations?
  • What skills did I strengthen?
  • How has this experience changed my academic or career goals?
  • What do I want to carry forward into life at Moravian?

Education abroad can help students develop skills that employers and graduate programs value, including adaptability, problem-solving, intercultural communication, independence, resilience, language ability, and global awareness.

Students are encouraged to include their experience on resumes, in interviews, in graduate school applications, and in conversations with mentors and advisors. The Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success can help students update their resume and practice articulating the value of their experience.

Returned students play an important role in helping future students prepare for meaningful global experiences. After studying or interning abroad, students may be invited to share their story through CGE events, panels, classroom visits, photos, reflections, or peer conversations with students considering a similar program, country, or experience.

Students who want to stay more actively involved may apply to become a Trailblazer, a paid work-study position with the Center for Global Education. Trailblazers serve as peer mentors for students preparing for semester or summer abroad experiences and may assist with outreach, events, advising preparation, and other CGE projects.

Students may also have opportunities to work with CGE as office assistants, supporting day-to-day operations, student outreach, and global engagement across campus. Interested students should contact the Center for Global Education to learn more about available opportunities and application timelines.