Coming home can be the hardest part of an internship. After struggling through cultural adjustment there, you may be surprised to find yourself struggling again here. Many interns face "Re-entry shock" that is as bad or worse than culture shock.

It is important to start thinking about your transition to life "at home" early. Read back through your journal and try to identify how you have changed and how that will impact your daily life. Once at home find a peer group who can relate to your experiences. This may be as part of a re-entry course or club on your campus, or through the IE3 Alumni section of the website.

A few resources for dealing with Re-Entry Shock are listed below. Take time to read, think and reflect on your experience. You will find willing listeners in your campus coordinator and regional director. We always want to hear what students have learned, seen, done, and accomplished while abroad!

Suggestions for dealing with re-entry shock
Handout for family and friends on re-entry shock
Reading list on re-entry
Re-Entry Journal Questions
What's Up With Culture? Re-entry Guide

Also, don't forget your internship reporting requirements. Not only is it a program requirement, but the final report and surveys are a great way to help you reflect on your experience and share your experience with others!

Student self-evaluation (online survey)
Supervisor evaluation of intern (online survey)
Supervisor evlation of intern (word document)

Final report guidelines:
Reports should be a minimum of 3-5 pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. Address the following aspects of your internship.  Use excerpts from your journal, where appropriate.

• Your first day at the internship site
• Adequacy of your language ability and how it developed
• The most important benefits of your internship - personally and professionally
• The biggest challenges at your internship
• Steps you took to make sure that you became an asset to the organization
• The guidance and supervision by your mentor on site and professor on campus
• How your impression of the country changed in the course of your internship
• What you wish you had known before you arrived
• An overview of your daily routine
• Tips for future interns who will be living in the same city/country (Transportation, money, entertainment, culture, housing arrangements, etc.)

Supplement your report with pictures or other materials in the form of a power point presentation or video. Please send an electronic copy via e-mail to the regional director and campus coordinator.