Coming Home: Making Personal and Professional Use of Your International Experience

June 19th, 2009

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Augsburg College

This event will bring together resources from across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin to provide support to recently returned study abroad students. You will be able to share your stories with peers, learn about international careers, and deepen the story of your study abroad experience. Resume critiques will be made available to help you incorporate the skills you learned abroad.

The 2009 keynote speaker Jenn Bottke, Gustavus alum, nurse and author will inspire us with her tales from abroad.

Jenn was a typical college student in 2001, floating through her freshman year at Gustavus Adolphus College when study abroad found her. She spent a semester in India, and returned home with a new outlook on life. Jenn finished her degree in Nursing, and is working as a Registered Nurse in a small community hospital. While on bed rest with her second pregnancy, Jenn was so bored that she decided to write her study abroad adventure into a book, entitled "Barefoot in the Kitchen". It was published last year. Study abroad changes lives and Jenn is a walking example of it's power to transform.

A student panel comprised of 2008 conference participants will address the topic of study abroad as a privilege and the challenge it is to become a Global Citizen. Small group table talk will allow for discussion and debate from conference participants.

Lunch is included with your conference registration.

Students will choose to attend three rotating sessions from the seven on offer.

Registration is now open and will close on Friday, September 11, 2009. Cost is $10. Contact OCS if you need assistance. Register on-line at: http://www.csbsju.edu/internationaleducation/home/reentryconference.htm

Carleton will arrange transportation to the conference for participants. Sign up here.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. Depart Carleton

9:00 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast

Welcome and Introductions

Student Panel and Table Talk

Lunch

Rotating Sessions (see below)

3:30 p.m. Conference concludes, possibly go out in the Twin Cities before returning to Northfield

Session Descriptions

• Go Abroad Again: Teaching, Short-term Working, & Volunteering Abroad: You've studied abroad now go and live your dream of teaching, working short-term, or volunteering abroad! This session will give an overview of strategies, programs, resources, and things to consider so that you can make your dream a reality. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters who advise on these opportunities and have worked, taught, or volunteered abroad themselves.
• Graduate School: Are you interested in attending graduate school abroad or staying stateside, but focusing on international issues? This presentation will address many of the common questions associated with applying for graduate school in other countries. In addition resources will be provided about internationally focused programs in the US.
• International Careers at Home & Abroad: This panel will include individuals who have worked abroad, are working for an international corporation here in the United States, or have found other careers in the international public sector or in the social justice field to remain globally connected.
• Myths & Realities of an International Career Abroad: Ready for the “real world”??!! After graduation many study abroad returnees wish to take their professional career abroad, but it may or may not be a simple process. Factors to consider include language skills, previous experience, and ability to secure a visa. Learn about the realities of the search process, and gain insights into what employers are looking for when hiring internationally.
  Please note: This session is highly recommended for anyone interested in attending the “International Careers at Home & Abroad” panel.
• Resume Writing Session: What is the best way to include your study abroad experience on your resume; in the education section, under other activities? It is important to present your experience well to potential employers. Career professionals will present tips and tricks for illustrating the great impact of your study abroad and the transferrable skills which you learned.
• Craft Your Study Abroad Stories for Interviewing: You studied abroad… so what?! Oftentimes students have incredible, life changing experiences during their time abroad, but when they return and try to describe to others about how important the experience was, they are at a loss for words. During job or internship interviews, there is no time to grapple for the words to describe the transferrable skills that you have learned through study abroad. This session will help you to begin to formulate those anecdotes which will capture the essence of your experience.
• Travel writing: Documenting your Journey: Capturing the essence of your study abroad experience for an on-line blog, printed magazine or your private travel journal is an art; and like any art, it takes a lot of work. This session will offer advice on how to share your study abroad experience through a different lens. Information will also be presented on how to submit your travel stories to National Geographic Glimpse Magazine and other formats.

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