Coming Home

It's great to be home, but it may take a little time to readjust to your old culture. Here are a few hints to make it easier.

• Stay in touch with the friends you made while abroad. Use e-mail whenever possible to keep them informed of your life in the U.S.

• Talk with other students who have traveled abroad. Share stories and impressions.

• Drop by IGSA and let us hear about your trip: both good memories and any suggestions you have to improve the program.

• Complete the evaluation of your program. Remember, constructive comments are most helpful.

• Volunteer to be a contact person for an international student.

• Be sure to turn in your IGSA report within 3 months of your return.

IGSA Grant Report

The report is due within 3 months of your return.

Report Components

• Objectives and Outcomes:  Review briefly the purpose of the activity and what specific things you hoped to achieve or accomplish.  In this light, what did you actually achieve, what could you not achieve, and why?  Be specific about the products - tangible and intangible - that have resulted.
  

• Discussion: Briefly discuss the significance of the experience or activity, in terms of how satisfied you were with the outcomes, unanticipated problems, pleasant surprises, etc.
  

• Application: Tell us how you intend to use what you gained from this experience in the future, and how you may be able to extend the learning or benefits to others in the UC community.

External Program Evaluation

Welcome back. We want to know what you thought about the location and the program you chose so we can better advise students in the future. We know that advice from other students is incredibly helpful in making tough decisions, so we welcome any and all of your feedback - good and bad.

If you went to a University abroad or on a Study Abroad Program that was NOT lead by UC faculty, please fill out the External Program Evaluation and e-mail it to Jill Winograd or drop it off at IGSA at 3134 One Edwards.

Students for Study Abroad Organization (SSA)

This is a new club for UC students that have either been abroad before and want to share their experiences with others, or for those that are interested in going abroad and want to hear more about it from other students.

It is a social group that wants to encourage all UC students to study abroad, and also help raise money for a scholarship fund. SSA has regular meetings and social events and works with IGSA to provide student support for Education Abroad.

For more information visit Students for Study Abroad or e-mail us at: ucssa@hotmail.com

Other Travel Abroad

Do you want to return to the country you visited, or do you have another destination in mind? Come see us in the IGSA office and we'll be glad to advise you of opportunities, including another travel grant.

Fulbright Grants for Students

"The Fulbright Program was established in 1946, at the end of World War II, to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. Its primary source of funding is an annual appropriation made by the United States Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions also contribute financial support through direct cost-sharing, as well as through tuition waivers, university housing, and other benefits."

Grants are made to citizens of participating countries, primarily for:

• university teaching; 

• advanced research

• graduate study

• teaching in elementary and secondary schools

Applications for graduate study are reviewed by the IGSA office.

Amity Volunteer Teachers Abroad

Amity Institute enables Americans to travel to other countries to serve as teaching assistants in English language classrooms throughout the world. The ideal AVTA candidate is a university graduate with some teaching or tutoring experience, a working knowledge of the host country language, and some experience abroad. http://www.amity.org

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps has been dubbed "the toughest job you'll ever love."  Many former volunteers affirm that the experience has changed their lives. Click on the logo to find information about opportunities for you.

The School of Planning in University of Cincinnati has instituted a new course of study in its MCP degree program. The purpose of the program is to work in collaboration with the US Peace Corps to prepare students for the hands-on urban planning experience they will receive while on their assignment.

Please check the following links for more information :

US Peace Corps Master's International Program

US Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program

American Field Service

AFS helps place students and teachers abroad, provides scholarships and arranges for host families in the U.S.

International Student Services Office

The Friendship Program of the International Student Services Office (ISSO) on campus invites interested students and others to serve as a "friend" to an international student or faculty visitor. Contact ISSO at 556-4278. One Edwards, Room 3134.

Global Volunteer Network

Global Volunteer Network is a non profit organization. They place volunteers in community projects in Alaska, China, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam. Their vision is to support the work of local community organizations through the placement of international volunteers.

For more information please check their website Global Volunteer Network