Returning Students


Returning Students

Welcome home! We hope you had a great time abroad. Here are some ideas for keeping your study abroad experience alive now that you’re back at Western Illinois University.

Come see us! Bring in your pictures, your stories, anything you want. You are the expert on your study abroad experience and we want to learn all about it! 

Evaluate the experience

We encourage and greatly appreciate your input on the Program Evaluation and the Safety Incident Survey (PDF). These take only a few minutes to complete, but provide us with invaluable information for future students.

Be aware of "reverse culture shock"

Even though you’ve been away, things at home probably didn’t remain exactly as you left them. Returning home can cause adjustment issues just like entering a new culture.

Additionally, you may find you miss the food, your friends, and the other things you loved about your host culture.  For tips and strategies for combating this normal psychological phenomenon, visit: What's Up With Culture?

Advocate for Study Abroad

Join initiatives that support international education:

Consider expanding your study abroad experience by gaining access to other international opportunities.

 

APPLY NOW


Announcements

  • Spring 2024 Study Abroad scholarships now open!

    Scholarship applications for Spring 2024 study abroad programs are now open. More information about the scholarships and the application form can be found on our website. The application deadline is midnight, Wednesday, November 1, 2023. If you have any questions about the scholarships, please contact Kim McDaniel, Study Abroad Advisor, at kd-mcdaniel@wiu.edu.

  • Apply for passports NOW!

    Passport processing is currently taking 3 months. If you plan to travel in Spring or Summer 2024, apply for your passport NOW. For more information, see the Passports 101 page on our website.

  • Disney World Communication Culture info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Disney World Communication Culture Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Wednesday, September 27
    Thursday, September 28
    Wednesday, October 11
    Thursday, October 12
    Location: Memorial 338
    Time: 4pm
    For details, please see the Disney World Communication Culture webpage.


    Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Friday September 29 at noon via Zoom
    For details, please see the Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos webpage.


    Exploring Italy Through Film info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Exploring Italy Through Film Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Tuesday, October 3
    Location: Simpkins 219 and via Zoom
    Time: 4:30pm
    For details, please see the Exploring Italy Through Film webpage.


    Art in Italy: Political Mythologies info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Art in Italy: Political Mythologies Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Thursday, October 5
    Location: Garwood 10
    Time: 4pm
    For details, please see the Art in Italy: Political Mythologies webpage.


    International Trade: Costa Rica info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the International Trade: Costa Rica Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Thursday October 5 at 5:30 pm
    Friday October 6 Knoblauch at noon
    For details, please see the International Trade: Costa Rica Info webpage.

     

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  • Spring 2024 Study Abroad scholarships now open!

    Scholarship applications for Spring 2024 study abroad programs are now open. More information about the scholarships and the application form can be found on our website. The application deadline is midnight, Wednesday, November 1, 2023. If you have any questions about the scholarships, please contact Kim McDaniel, Study Abroad Advisor, at kd-mcdaniel@wiu.edu.

  • Apply for passports NOW!

    Passport processing is currently taking 3 months. If you plan to travel in Spring or Summer 2024, apply for your passport NOW. For more information, see the Passports 101 page on our website.

  • Disney World Communication Culture info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Disney World Communication Culture Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Wednesday, September 27
    Thursday, September 28
    Wednesday, October 11
    Thursday, October 12
    Location: Memorial 338
    Time: 4pm
    For details, please see the Disney World Communication Culture webpage.


    Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Friday September 29 at noon via Zoom
    For details, please see the Tropical Ecology: the Galapagos webpage.


    Exploring Italy Through Film info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Exploring Italy Through Film Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Tuesday, October 3
    Location: Simpkins 219 and via Zoom
    Time: 4:30pm
    For details, please see the Exploring Italy Through Film webpage.


    Art in Italy: Political Mythologies info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the Art in Italy: Political Mythologies Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Thursday, October 5
    Location: Garwood 10
    Time: 4pm
    For details, please see the Art in Italy: Political Mythologies webpage.


    International Trade: Costa Rica info sessions 2023 scheduled.

    Learn more about the International Trade: Costa Rica Study Abroad Course at these info sessions:
    Thursday October 5 at 5:30 pm
    Friday October 6 Knoblauch at noon
    For details, please see the International Trade: Costa Rica Info webpage.

     

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Contact Us

Office of Study Abroad and Outreach


StudyAbroad@wiu.edu

Memorial Room 348

309-298-2504

Advising appointments