The vast majority of students choose to attend the Re-Entry Meeting for their program – and we highly encourage them to do so! Regardless of whether a student was abroad/away during Interim, a semester, or for a full year, they will be invited to a Re-Entry Meeting with the Smith Center Advising Coordinator and the faculty program advisor. These meetings allow:
- Students to share various aspects of their time off campus – including any concerns or frustrations they may have. Re-Entry Meetings offer the best chance for Smith Center and Program Advisors to hear about student’s experiences, become better advisors of the program for future students, address concerns, and get a better sense of the opportunities students have while on their chosen program.
- To better understand the “on the ground” experience students have within the host community/host university – especially related to academic coursework, registration, credit transfer, housing, on-site staff/providers, the local community, etc.
- Offer support to students as they transition back to campus, find ways to connect their off-campus experience with their remaining time on the Hill or with their future careers, and assist with transfer credits.
Re-Entry Tips
Re-Entry in Crisis: COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a wide impact on study abroad/away programs. We hope that these study abroad returnee resources will be helpful to you as you process this part of your St. Olaf & COVID-19 journeys.
Mental Health Resources
- Counseling: St. Olaf Counseling Center
- General Activities: St. Olaf Wellness Center, St. Olaf Student Activities (Virtual Programming)
- Mindfulness Apps: Calm (free trial), Headspace (free trial)
- Exercise Classes: St. Olaf Recreation Resources (Home Fitness ideas) and St. Olaf Recreation’s Zoom Fitness Classes, Daily Burn (60 days free), FitOn (free app)
- Articles: Managing Anxiety & Stress (CDC), That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief (The Atlantic)
Continue Intercultural Development
- Virtual Tours/Performances: The Show Must Go On by Robert Myles, Global, Spain, France, Musical Performances, US National Parks
- Learn More: GeoGuesser, DuoLingo, Future Learn, Open Culture
Study Abroad Returnee Resources
- Dealing w/ Reverse Culture Shock & Mental Health during COVID-19 (USAC)
- Re-Entry Toolkit (API)
- Top Ten Immediate Reentry Challenges (IES Abroad)
Did You Know That…
- 112 St. Olaf Students were enrolled to study abroad in Spring 2020 when the pandemic hit?
- 6 Oles were studying abroad for the entire 2020-2021 Academic Year? This number rebounded to 256 students abroad/away in 2021-22, but fell short of the more typical 700-800 Oles studying abroad/away.
Have questions or concerns? Just want to talk to someone about your re-entry experience or program?
Connect with IOS Advisor, Brittan Duffing. Brittan would be happy to meet with you one-on-one or in a group setting. Appointments can be made using Brittan’s appointment calendar or by emailing Brittan at duffin1@stolaf.edu