Building on your international experience

All of the information on reverse culture shock and the stories of your fellow study abroad students on these web pages are aimed at one thing: getting you to think about how studying abroad has already changed you and how you want that experience to remain vital for you for the rest of your life. Maybe you have changed your career plans or your major; maybe you have made new, deep friendships; or maybe you know you have grown as a person but just can't quite put your new outlook into words yet. One of the most difficult aspects of coming home is trying to figure out how to go on with life without just going on with life. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about how you can build on your international experience here in Madison. This is only the beginning!

• Serve as a student member on a committee that deals with important issues in the undergraduate curriculum. The University General Education Committee (membership open to undergraduates in any school/college) and the L&S Curriculum Committee (membership open to L&S students only) are seeking student members. Visit the ASM Shared Governance website to find descriptions of these committees and many others! Interested students can apply for membership online. Apply early!!

• Get involved with the Global Cultures Program. Take a few classes, a special seminar, or complete the Global Culture Certificate program. The credits you earned while studying abroad count toward the certificate. For more information contact Christine Schindler.

• Volunteer for International Student Services. Find out about activities and organizations for international students and U.S. students with international interests. You can be a peer mentor to an international student, find a language partner, or learn about a new country or culture. For more information, please call (608) 262-2044 or visit ISS at 217 Red Gym.

• Be a BRIDGE Peer Mentor. If you are interested in learning about other cultures and introducing new international students to life at the UW, you can volunteer to be a BRIDGE Peer Mentor. For more information on BRIDGE, visit International Student Services at 217 Red Gym or visit the ISS website.

• Participate in International Opportunities Month activities in February. A schedule of campuswide events will be posted in January at http://www.bus.wisc.edu/ciber.

• Explore international careers through UW-Madison's Go Global! website.

• Participate in the IAP study abroad photo contest. Winners in several categories have photos displayed in Van Hise or used in International Academic Programs publications. Watch for e-mail announcements from us. Special attention will be given to photos of program-related activities (classes, extra curricular activities, housing, etc.)

• Be a conversation partner or host an international student through a program of the Madison Friends of International Students (MFIS). MFIS matches volunteers with international students or their spouses who desire an opportunity to practice conversational English and has many other programs. Contact them at: 716 Langdon Street, Room 223, Madison, WI 53706 (Red Gym). The office is staffed by volunteers between 10:00 a.m. - noon, Monday through Friday. Phone: (608) 263-4010 FAX: (608) 262-2838 Email: mfis@odos.wisc.edu

• Volunteer to work with a local immigrant community. Check the yellow pages for organizations such as Centro Hispano, (608) 255-3018, or Centro Guadalupe, (608) 661-3512.

• Be a conversation partner at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute (WESLI) [19 N. Pinckney St, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, Phone: (608) 257-4300, Fax: (608) 257-4346, Email: information@wesli.com] or Madison English as a Second Language School (MESL) [LLC, 3009 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, Phone: (608) 233-9962, Fax: (608) 233-9967]

• Be a GUTS tutor for international students. Call 263-5666 or visit 302A Union South.

• Be trained to become an English as a Second Language tutor at the Literacy Network (608) 244-3911.

• Organize a reunion of the group of students with whom you studied abroad. See the peer advisors in 250 Bascom Hall for ideas of how to organize the meeting.

• Attend "Global Connections," an opportunity to connect with international students and others interested in international issues held several times each semester. Better yet, join the Global Connections committee (part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate) and help plan these events. Contact WUD at (608) 262-2214.

• Attend classes in any discipline about your international home or any region/country of interest. Consult the Global Gateway homepage for more information.

• Watch for events and lectures sponsored by language departments, the International Institute, and area studies departments. Ask to be put on the mailing lists of the departments that interest you and check their web sites regularly.

• Check out a foreign language video from the Language Labs on the 2nd floor of Van Hise. Many of the foreign language films have English subtitles.

• Live in a language house, language floor, or in the International Learning Community. Attend meals at French House! Contact French House office for details: (608) 256-1113, or the French/Italian department: (608) 262-3946. For information on the International Learning Community or language floors, contact University Housing at (608) 262-2522.

• Try your hand at the Martial Arts-Kendo, Judo, Aikido are available through kinesiology. Consult the Timetable.

• Take a Wisconsin Union Mini-Course, from African cooking to Swedish massage. Pick up a course catalogue at the Memorial Union or Union South.

• Join the International Business Student Association (not just for business students) and discuss international topics, exchange ideas, and meet others with similar interests. IBSA aims to enhance members' personal development through international education so they may have the skills necessary to develop into integral members of society and the global workforce.

• Hostelling International - Madison Hostel often has staff positions available, especially during the summer months. Volunteer opportunities are also available, including developing and leading programs for hostel guests and community residents, marketing, hostel maintenance, and Board of Directors positions.

• Write stories about your experiences abroad for the Badger Herald (Send opinion pieces or stories to opinion@badgerherald.com) or the Daily Cardinal (send stories to edit@cardinal.wisc.edu).

• Submit your essays, poems, reflections, photos, etc. to our Peer Advisors in 250 Bascom for display on our website.

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