ARE YOU RETURNING HOME THIS SUMMER?

Is your time in Amsterdam is coming to an end in the next few months?

If so, we  recommend that you start to prepare for the transition back into life at home. Whether you are looking forward to returning or reluctant to leave, feeling excited or sad, most students find that the transition back into their home culture can be difficult at times. ISMA would love to help you prepare for ‘re-entry’ into your country, in order to make the adjustment a little less confusing.

What can you do to make the transition easier?

Start thinking

Begin to talk with friends and family (here and back home) about what it will mean to return home. Take some time to reflect on your time here and anticipate the challenges you will face back home. It will also help you to understand the normal 're-entry' process that you will probably experience; we hope that ISMA's resources can help you with this.

Read a Re-Entry Pack

We recommend that you work through our re-entry booklet, developed by IFES, in your own pace, either alone or with a friend. We hope it will help you settle back into your home country and culture.

You can download the pack here:  ISMA Re-Entry Pack.pdf

What's in the Re-Entry Pack?

Section 1 gets you thinking through some areas of your life that may have been
challenged by your stay abroad, and that will need to be evaluated, understood, and
accepted as you return home.

Section 2 deals with that you might expect to feel and experience, based on what
other returnees have found. It also encourages you to develop a realistic and useful
attitude to you homecoming.

Section 3 gives some practical advice; concrete things you can consider and do both
before and after departure. You will find this part applies not only to your physical, mentaland emotional health, but also gives suggestions on ‘checking up’ on your spiritual health.

If you would like someone to talk to further about what it will mean to return home, please contact an ISMA team member or email us