Welcome back from what we hope has been one of the most enriching and exciting periods of your undergraduate career! The Education Abroad staff would love to hear from you, see your photos, and learn about your adventures abroad. If you haven't completed the on-line program evaluation listed in your study abroad account, we ask that you do that immediately.

One of the hardest things about coming home is the fact that you are no longer overseas-what is commonly known as "reverse culture shock". Here a few suggestions on how to overcome your feelings and keep an international dimension in your life.

Stay Connected with Drexel Global

Apply to work as a Study Abroad Ambassador

Do you find yourself talking and thinking about your study abroad experience all the time? Wanting to re-live it and pass along your knowledge? Apply to be a Study Abroad Student Ambassador! This is a paid part-time position. Students must be scheduled for class, and commit for both fall and winter terms or spring and summer terms. 

Work Study in the Drexel Global Office

If you receive Federal Work Study in your financial aid package, we are always looking for study abroad alumni to work in our office with us as an Administrative Assistant. Not only will you gain valuable administrative experience, you will also have the chance to stay international during an on-campus work experience! Our work study students interact with a variety of people, including prospective study abroad students, incoming exchange students, and global faculty and staff.

If you receive Federal Work Study and have design experience, we also have positions available for student designers. We're looking for individuals with experience with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop and access to these applications. 

Open positions are posted on the Work Study website.

Volunteer as a Dragon Buddy

Do you love meeting people from all over the world? Every fall, winter, and spring terms Drexel welcomes new exchange students from our partner universities around the globe. We are seeking Drexel students who would like to become Dragon Buddies for one or more of these exchange students. As a Dragon Buddy, you would be a point person to help welcome your buddy to Philadelphia and to Drexel, familiarize them with American college life, and help them feel at home. 

Volunteer to speak about your experience

We're always looking for volunteers to speak about their study abroad experience, so don't hesitate to reach out! You could volunteer to speak about your experience at Study Abroad Information Sessions, Admissions events, Pre-Departure Orientations, at international fairs, or at any other events that we hold throughout the year. 

Enter the annual Photo Contest

Every winter term, Drexel Global holds a photo contest for students that studied abroad in the past year. Gift cards are awarded to the winning photos.

Internationalize your Academics

During your time abroad, you probably gained some new interests and perspectives. You can fuel this fire by seeking Drexel courses that build upon your experience and continue to expand your thinking. Consider courses that are culturally or globally themed, or even a minor in Global Studies, International Business, or a Modern Language for example.

Did you know that Drexel's Modern Languages Department offers 10 foreign languages? Why not continue previous language studies or start a new one?

In addition to internationally themed classes, think about joining student groups with an international mission. 

Become a Global Engagement Scholar

The Global Engagement Scholar (GES) program offers a great opportunity to students who are interested in becoming globally minded citizens. The program provides students with the necessary structure to document and connect a wide variety of global experiences during their time at Drexel University. The distinction will be noted on the students’ transcript.

DAAD Young Ambassadors Program

Undergraduate students from North America who studied abroad in Germany are invited to apply to the DAAD Young Ambassadors Program to promote study in Germany at their home universities. The program starts with a mandatory three-day training session in August. Throughout the academic year, DAAD Young Ambassadors promote study and research in Germany by working with their universities' study abroad offices, volunteering at study abroad fairs, organizing classroom visits, info sessions, and answering fellow student's questions.   

Global Opportunities in Philadelphia

Citizen Diplomacy International is a private, nonprofit organization that is the "door" to the greater Philadelphia community for guests of the US Government. Their core program is the State Department's prestigious "International Visitor Program," but that's just one of several programs they administer. CDI has two divisions: The Center for International Development and the Center for International Business. Their mission is to promote democracy, free enterprise, international trade and educational exchanges.

The Welcoming Center for New Philadelphians mission is "to be a centralized employment and referral center for the region's growing immigrant community by promoting immigrant participation in the area's political, social, and economic life. Since opening our doors in 2003, we have assisted more than 1500 clients from 54 countries."

The International House (I-House) that is located at 38th and Chestnut Streets and a meeting place of international students and international activities. I-House sponsors a film program and concert series, and the Philadelphia Festival.

Go Abroad Again!

As a Drexel Student 

Consider studying (again), working, or volunteering abroad. You can study abroad more than once while you are a student at Drexel. Why not consider participating in another program if you can fit it into your plan of study? If you're worried about taking a whole term abroad, consider doing an Intensive Course Abroad during an upcoming break week! 

If you have a co-op cycle coming up, the Steinbright Career Development Center offers a variety of opportunities for you to volunteer, work, or do research abroad during your co-op cycle. 

After your Drexel Graduation

Interested in continuing the international experience after graduating? There are many international opportunities that students can explore, whether their interest is working, volunteering, or learning abroad.

Volunteer Abroad

Work Abroad

Graduate School Abroad

You already know about studying abroad as an undergraduate, but perhaps you should consider doing your graduate work overseas. Have you ever thought of applying for Fellowship Opportunity to study abroad once you've graduated from Drexel? In most cases, the fellowship will enable you to get a graduate degree from a university abroad, or, in the case of the Fulbright Program, spend a year doing research abroad. Most applications for fellowships are due in the fall of your senior year.