Returning Students Initiative

Returning

Student

Engagement

Initiative UConn Study Abroad

Table of Contents

I. Rationale ................................................................................................................ 2

II. Overview ................................................................................................................ 2

III. Returnee Development .......................................................................................... 3

Goals

Components

Resources

Timeline

Next Steps

IV. Study Abroad Office Engagement ........................................................................ 5

Goals

Components

Resources

Timeline

Next Steps

V. Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 8

VI. Appendix A – Returnee Survey ............................................................................. 9

VII. Appendix B – Ambassador Survey ........................................................................ 9

RETURNING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE - FEBRUARY 19, 2014 2

Rationale

The effects of studying abroad are lifelong; as such, the Study Abroad Office should endeavor to

engage returning students to assist in their continued development. From the moment a student’s

program ends throughout the rest of their undergraduate career, the Study Abroad Office should

support students in their career aspirations, personal development, and academic achievement.

Significant resources are devoted to ensuring that students receive a high quality, life-changing

experience abroad. Staff in the Study Abroad Office commit an immense amount of time and

energy to ensure students are effectively advised and counseling prior to and during their experience

abroad. The office should also commit resources to helping students continue to grow, develop,

and give back after their return to campus. This will demonstrate to the entire university community

the outstanding impact our programs have on students, and will further empower returnees to

contribute to this office and their community.

Overview

The support for and engagement of alumni of study abroad programs will be approached from two

perspectives.

First, the Study Abroad Office will provide opportunities for all students to utilize their experiences

abroad to develop personally, academically, and professionally. This will involve the creation and

maintenance of resources for returning students, hosting a seminar series throughout the academic

year on salient topics for returnees, and through the implementation of a Returnee Conference to

provide a centralized, intentional developmental opportunity for all students.

Second, the Study Abroad Office will create a tiered involvement structure to facilitate returning

students’ ability to provide deep and meaningful contributions to the Study Abroad Office and the

UConn community. This structure will allow any student to stay involved at a minimum level of

commitment, while providing opportunities for motivated students to contribute in significant ways

to the mission and goals of the Study Abroad Office.

The full implementation of this Returning Students Initiative will take multiple semesters, but the

intentional developmental efforts will yield outstanding results for students, the Study Abroad Office,

and UConn.


Returnee Development

Goals

The following goals will guide the Study Abroad Office in their efforts to aide in the development of

returning students:

• Returning students shall effectively readjust to life in the United States and at the University

of Connecticut, placing their experiences abroad in the proper context relevant to the

differences in culture between their home and their program abroad

• Alumni of study abroad programs shall be able to effectively utilize their experiences abroad

in their career development, successfully leveraging their experiences and growth on their

résumé and during interviews

• Returning students shall continue with the development of their multicultural competency

through reflection on their experience abroad and by finding opportunities to exercise their

intercultural skills in Connecticut

• Students will, when desired, be able to follow through on continued desire to go abroad,

either through volunteerism, teaching opportunities, or additional study abroad experiences

Components

Resources for All Alumni

The Study Abroad Office shall create and maintain resources for all returning students that will

provide them with materials to facilitate their reentry to the United States and help them maximize

their abroad experience.

The Returning Students Handbook shall be distributed to all returning students and contain

information related to the following topics:

• Welcome Back Message from the Director

• Adjusting to Life in the United States

• Study Abroad and Your Career

• Employment Opportunities Abroad

• Continuing Experiences Abroad – Volunteer, Teach, or Study Abroad Again

• Intercultural Opportunities in Connecticut

• Staying Involved with the Study Abroad Office

Returnee Seminar Series

The Study Abroad Office shall offer throughout the academic year a seminar series on topics related

to reentry. These topics will mirror those detailed above and will provide an opportunity for

students to come together to discuss these issues. Experts in the relevant field (Center for Career


Development, Counseling and Mental Health Services, etc.) can help facilitate discussions and

provide resources for students.

Returnee Conference

The Returnee Conference will be an all-day conference with multiple sessions and keynote speakers

that will address issues relevant to returning students. This will be an opportunity for Study Abroad

alumni, staff, and experts to come together to help students make the most of their abroad

experience. This can also serve as a community building event and an opportunity for the Study

Abroad Office to engage students. Registration for the Returnee Conference can potentially be

opened to students from neighboring institutions.

Due to the restricted timeline, a fully-fledged Returnee Conference cannot be organized for the Fall

2014 semester. Instead, the Study Abroad Office shall plan and execute a shortened Fall Meet and

Greet to occur prior to the fall Study Abroad Fair. The Meet and Greet, to last a few hours, will

include a social as well as shortened sessions related to reentry.

Resources

The primary resources needed to facilitate the implementation of the Returnee Development goals

will be in staff time and energy to execute these initiatives. There will also be financial costs related

to the Returnee Conference, though these can be defrayed by sponsorships.

The Returning Students Handbook will be developed during the spring 2014 semester by the

graduate intern. Future interns and the Study Abroad Office staff will be responsible for

maintaining the resources and updating the Handbook as necessary.

The Seminar Series will require the commitment of Study Abroad Staff to plan for and facilitate the

sessions. This will involve recruiting presenters and guest speakers, developing materials, and

marketing the opportunity to students.

The Returnee Conference will require multiple staff members’ time to organize and facilitate. The

Conference will need to be planned months in advance and staff members will need to organize the

venue space, catering orders, conference sessions, attendee registration, and promotion. The

Conference will also potentially require monetary support, though sponsorship from third parties

may cover or defray the cost.

Timeline

• March 2014 – Returnee Handbook completed

• May 2014 – Fall 2014 Meet and Greet agenda set

• June 2014 – Fall 2014 Meet and Greet venue and catering orders confirmed

• June 2014 – Fall 2014 Meet and Greet presenters confirmed

• July 2014 – Fall semester Seminar Series schedule set


• July 2014 – Seminar Series presentations and presenters planned and confirmed

• September 2014 – Fall 2014 Meet and Greet

• September 2014 – First Seminar Series event held

•

• September 2015 – First Returnee Conference hosted at UConn

Next Steps

The following steps must be taken to realize the goals of the Returnee Development initiative:

• Assemble resources for the Returnee Handbook

• Set schedule and curriculum for Returnee Seminar Series

• Identify experts on and off campus to contribute to the Seminar Series and Returnee

Conference

• Set the schedule and timeline for the Returnee Conference

• Outline outreach and marketing strategy to increase student participation

Study Abroad Office Engagement

Goals

UConn Study Abroad shall engage returning students to utilize their abroad experiences and passion

to further the mission and goals of the office. Additionally, creating rich opportunities for students

to contribute to the Study Abroad Office will facilitate the continued development of study abroad

alumni as leaders on campus.

Components

Engagement of returning students shall be initiated immediately upon completion of the study

abroad experience. When students have completed an abroad experience, they shall be emailed the

Returnee Survey (Appendix A) which will collect information related to their impression of multiple

facets of their abroad experience: support received from the Study Abroad Office; satisfaction with

their specific program; and impressions of their host city and country. Information collected

through the Returnee Survey will be used by the Study Abroad Office staff to review programs and

services and to provide prospective students with student testimonials of their experiences abroad.

Returning students will now have the opportunity to stay involved with the Study Abroad Office

through a tiered organization system. This is a new model for involvement from the current model,

which utilizes all interested students as Ambassadors and solicits volunteers for the various

programs hosted by the office. The new model, which will include clearly outlined position

descriptions, application and selection procedures, and expectations for all students, should provide


for more consistent and reliable student involvement. The tiered structure of the student

involvement model is outlined below:

Study Abroad Ambassadors All returnees eligible to participate

Minimal responsibilities, primarily founded on volunteerism Estimated involvement – 70-100 students

Study Abroad Representatives All returnees encouraged to apply

Moderate level of responsibilities, clearly outlined and coordinated Compensation to include pay, internship credit, or volunteerism

Estimated involvement – 6-10 students

Study Abroad Interns All competent students able to apply

High level of responsibility, clearly outlined and coordinated Supervision and developmental responsibilities

Compensation to include pay or internship credit Estimated Involvement – 1-3 students

All returning students will be sent the Ambassador Survey (Appendix B) which will solicit their

desire to contribute to the Study Abroad Office upon return to UConn. The Ambassador Survey

will first ask whether students are willing to perform the following functions as Study Abroad

Ambassadors:

• Provide contact information on the UConn Study Abroad website to serve as a resource and

contact for prospective students

• Receive requests to volunteer at the Study Abroad Fair

• Receive requests to attend country or program specific information sessions

• Receive requests to attend country or program specific pre-departure orientations

All students who agree to be Study Abroad Ambassadors will then be invited to apply for a position

as a Study Abroad Representative. Representatives will be responsible for the following duties:

• Volunteer at the Study Abroad Fair

• Help present Study Abroad 101 sessions

• Help present at information sessions

• Help present at pre-departure orientations

• Assist in planning and preparing for the Returnee Conference

Students applying for a position as a Representative will need to submit an essay detailing their

dedication to the position and how they can contribute to the Study Abroad Office’s goals and

mission. Study Abroad Office staff will then select the 8-10 students who can best fulfill the

requirements of the position.


Experienced and capable students who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the Study

Abroad Office and have shown potential for leadership can then apply for a position as a Study

Abroad Undergraduate Intern. Interns will be required to perform the following duties:

• Assist in coordinating the recruitment of Ambassadors and Representatives

• Coordinate student presenters for Study Abroad 101, classroom visits, information sessions,

and pre-departure orientations

• Help present at Study Abroad 101, classroom visits, information sessions, and pre-departure

orientations

• Assist in planning and preparing for the Returnee Conference

• Assist in managing Study Abroad social media accounts

Resources

Providing for the meaningful involvement of a large number of students will require commitment by

staff to provide training and support. Fortunately, with the intentional development of

Undergraduate Interns into capable student leaders, these students can contribute to the

coordination of the Ambassadors and Representatives. Additionally, the support of students in

facilitating Study Abroad 101 sessions, information sessions, pre-departure orientations, and other

Study Abroad initiatives will relieve staff members of many burdens.

In addition to staff time and energy, the Intern positions and possibly the Representative positions

may require financial resources, if these positions will be paid.

Timeline

• May 2014 - Returnee and Ambassador Surveys distributed

• June 2014 – Student position responsibilities developed

• July 2014 – Student training schedule and curriculum developed

• August 2014 – Student training of Representatives and Interns

Next Steps

The following are the steps that need to be taken to realize the goals of facilitating Study Abroad

Office Engagements:

• Fully develop Ambassador, Representative, and Intern job responsibilities

• Decide on the paid or unpaid status of the various student positions

• Identify student leaders to take on the Intern roles

• Develop training timelines and resources for undergraduate positions

• Initiate recruitment for undergraduate positions


Conclusion

Intentional development of students returning from study abroad experiences is a pivotal role for

the Study Abroad Office. These students not only require attention to properly reflect on and utilize

their experiences abroad, but have the potential to make great contributions to the goals and mission

of the Study Abroad Office. The implementation of the initiatives as described above will make

great strides in providing for the continued development of and care for the students we work with

every day.


Appendix A – Returnee Survey

Appendix B – Ambassador Survey

Documents

Returning Students Initiative