Carleton students have several opportunities to share their off-campus experiences when they return. We encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities available and to integrate your learning off-campus with your studies at Carleton.

On campus

• Tell other students, staff, and faculty about your experiences.

Take faculty and staff to a free meal at the dining hall while you tell them about your off-campus studies. Talk to professors and academic advisors about using your off-campus studies and experiences in courses and in your major or concentration.

• Submit your stories, poems, etc. to the Carletonian or other campus publications.

Editors are always looking for interesting stories and perspectives of people’s experiences around the world. Check with individual publications for guidelines and deadlines.

• Participate in the OCS photo contest

If a picture is worth a thousand words, you could say a lot about your off-campus studies experience in the annual OCS photo contest/exhibit (submission deadline each year is in the first week of spring term), and photos are displayed in the Gould library. Great prizes for the winners!

• Share your cultural experiences and photos with the OCS office

OCS has several display cases around campus which offer inspiration to prospective and returning students alike. Contact the OCS Office if you have photos, maps, ticket stubs, textiles, etc. that you would like to display.

• Help recruit more students to off-campus study

The annual OCS World’s Fair is entirely student run. You can represent your program or country at the fair held in January of each year. You can also help the OCS Office and program representatives with information meetings about your program and assist with pre-departure meetings. Contact the OCS office to volunteer.

• Come to the Gala dessert reentry event

A Welcome back OCS Gala dessert is offered in early January for returning students to share their experiences over dessert and beverages. An invitation will be sent to you during winter break

• Stop by the OCS office

Individual and group conversations with the OCS adviser about programs and re-entry can be useful in sharing your experiences with your program and your own transitioning experience. We can also help you explore more off-campus study possibilities

• Attend reentry workshops

Each term, OCS organizes a workshop for returned students on various topics, including career development, the transition experience, or current world events. Check the OCS calendar for current programming.

• Attend the annual international jobs and internship workshop

OCS, ACT, and the Career Center co-sponsor a fair to plan future opportunities based on skills and contacts developed off-campus during winter term each year.

Beyond Carleton

• Write an article or column for your home town newspaper

• Contribute to one of these national publications

GLIMPSE Abroad Magazine

Transitions Abroad

Abroad View

• Volunteer or Intern

Contact the ACT Office about volunteering in the community, or the Career Center about internships and career options that build on your off-campus experiences.

• Apply for a Carleton fellowship

A variety of fellowships and internships are available through the Dean of the College office. Many students choose to return to the country or world area of their off-campus program to have an adventure, do research for comps, help people in need, or gain vocational experience.

Other Ideas?

Let us know of other great ideas you have for bringing your experience back home!