Improving support for returning exchange students

This qualitative research study examines returnees (sojourners who have gone to live in another country and then have returned to their home countries) and their experiences before, during, and after their time abroad. Specifically, it aims to determine what support sojourners returning to their home countries would perceive as most useful in helping them deal with reentry shock. Returnees' perceptions were gathered through an online survey. Returnees were notified of the opportunity to participate in the research through links to the survey posted on various websites for returnees, as well as a notice sent out to returnees affiliated with a local chapter of an exchange student organization. Volunteer participants answered a survey consisting primarily of open ended questions pertaining to their experiences and the support they received in relationship to their sojourn. Results showed that the best forms of support for returnees included social support and opportunities to talk about their experiences with others.