Preparing to Come Home

By taking the time now to think about your return, you will be aware of these issues during your stay and be more prepared for your return. The following information may assist you in getting the most out of your experience abroad.

1. Be conscious of deadlines while you're abroad. 

• You should refer to your program’s web site and handbooks/guides about specific deadlines on-site related to EAP, Quarter Abroad, Summer Abroad or the third-party provider. Check your email for important reminders or announcements!
• Take care of all your financial aid and scholarship forms so that you continue to have financial support at your U.S. home campus when you return.
• Your university, whether it be UC Davis or another institution, has special procedures about how you can legally give rights to someone on campus to register you for the courses you plan to take back at home after you return (for example, if you do not have access to computers while abroad for online registration), sign up for housing, etc. 

2. It's also important to keep in mind that things will change back home while you are abroad - there may be new landscaping and construction on your block or home campus, and in your family and group of friends there may be illnesses, changes in social relationships, and even death. The Global Scholar website has useful information and resources for students returning home including how to say “goodbye” in a culturally respective way.