'Returning home Information for Graduates' - from Diane Smith

Below is an email from Diane Smith, the university's International Student Adviser. The email consists of a long list of tips for returnees. Although I may have returned home for a couple of months by now yet I am still keeping and referring to this mail a lot in order to help me overcome the difficulties I am currently facing in settling back home. So here it is, Diane Smith's email-turn-post.

Returning Home

On returning home you may expect to feel quickly ‘at home’ and at ease. Often students returning home may find the environment less familiar than expected, and unanticipated changes in social and family environments may have occurred.

Exposure to a different way of living can influence your expectations about returning home. While in Australia you may have experienced new opportunities in the areas of relationships, personal freedom, employment and career prospects. You will have made adaptations to meet these new circumstances.

On returning home you will once again be required to adapt, you may not be aware of the enormous changes in yourself, and may have gradually developed different views. It might be useful to think about how you have changed because of your experience in Australia, and about the nature of that change before returning home.

You may find the following information/checklist is to assist you in your returning home. Please also consider making contact with the Student Advisors in relation to any issues or concerns you may have.

• Prepare for the Re-entry Process
• Returning Home Checklist
• Freight Information
• Prepare for the Re-entry Process
• Allow yourself time

Don’t expect you will fit in immediately with life back home. Readjustment takes time and involves experiencing a lot of different feelings and reactions. Try to reflect on how you are responding and what you are observing. You might find it helpful to record your thoughts and feelings in a diary.

Understand that the familiar will now be different – all things change!

You are likely to experience your culture from an altered perspective, one that can lead to greater insight and contribute to personal learning. Talking with other returnees can help put this in perspective.

• There will be some “cultural catching “ up to do
• Cultures are dynamic and ever changing.
• Catching up on what has changed (local slang, work practices) can be very tiring.
• At times, you may feel very irritable, confused or wish to withdraw.
• Try to have plenty of rest and spend some times in quiet conversation with family or old friends.
• Remember to exercise and eat good food.
• At times you may feel homesick for Australia.

Be sensitive to the differences Remember to greet family and people in an appropriate and customary manner. Be sensitive to the differences between you and be aware that your experience has altered your perceptions and worldview.

• Beware of comparisons

Avoid making comparisons between cultures and nations. Most cultures are a mix of aspects we find positive and negative. Try to remain flexible and keep a balanced view. Respecting and valuing difference is useful.

• Seek support networks

Do lots of talking to other students. If possible try and get in touch with past returnees in your home culture. You may find it helpful hearing their stories of readjustment – the things that worked for them and the things that did not.

• Moving home to family

Being in Australia has meant living outside the family home and enjoying a degree of freedom that might not have been available at home. After being in Australia for a few years, this freedom may have become something that you take for granted. Returning home and living with your parents may require adjustment and may take time.

You may also want to consider:

Cultural Adjustments

-changes in lifestyle
-family and community pressure to conform
-stereotyped male and female roles
-diminished personal privacy

Social Adjustment

-feelings of perceived superiority due to international experience and travel
-different amenities which were part of Australian living
-self questioning about traditional patterns of social interaction
-frustration and confusion as a result of differing attitudes and values

Language Barriers

-lack of familiarity with verbal and or non verbal codes used in Australia
-colleagues who do not speak in the same manner or use the same jargon
-unfamiliarity with new forms of communication or styles of expression used in home country

Education

-inability to reconcile aspects of Australian education to education in home country
-absence of professional education programs to keep up with new developments or knowledge

Professional Challenges

- to find employment in chosen field
- to communicate fully what was learned
-feeling of superiority /inferiority due to Australian training
-unrealistically high expectations of yourself and of you by other people.

Above all, give yourself time to resettle at home and remember that you have gained important skills while studying in Australia that will assist you to re-orientate yourself to being home.

Returning Home Check List

1. Make sure you say your goodbyes. Call and visit your friends before you go. Arrange for your telephone to be disconnected and for your account to be paid.
2. Apply for a refund of Medibank fees if you are eligible
3. Settle other outstanding accounts eg rent, electricity
4. Close your bank account and keep aside some cash for departure tax, souvenirs. Collect any medical insurance claims which you may be entitled to
5. Finalise any accommodation arrangements, return keys, collect bond
6. Redirect mail at the post office
7. Give your home address to Student Administration. Register with the Alumni Association to enable you to get regular newsletters from the University. (Alumni.Office@utas.edu.au)
8. Make a copy from the handbook of your course. You may need that in the future to apply for work or further study.
9. If you have excess luggage make enquiries with your airline or a Freight Broker such as Total Freight Solutions or Jetta Express http://www.jetta.com.au/ Consult Customs to find out what regulations exist in determining what you will need to consider when taking your belongings home
10. Notify family and friends of time of arrival of your flight
11. Pay any outstanding money to University (Tuition fees, library fines) so that your degree transcript can be released and you can graduate.
12. Make sure that you notify the Graduations Office of where you want your Testamur sent if you are not attending graduation ceremony.
13. Return any borrowed items i.e. books, household equipment
14. Confirm your flight with the Airline at least 48 hours before your flight departs. Be there two hours before departure.

Freight Information

There are several ways of sending your belongings home.

Check with your airline you are flying with for specific regulations. Arrangements must be made with your airline prior to your departure for unaccompanied baggage. All luggage must be under 20kg any over will be treated as excess baggage. Look out for the Red Hot Chillie airfare available through STA Travel (Hobart 62243496 Launceston 63243922) which has an excess baggage of over 20kg).

There are a number of companies that provide a service. You may want to use a Freight Broker such as Total Freight Solutions (Steve Miller – Hobart telephone 0418580544) www.jetta.com.au

Other Options would include Australia Post for light and small objects.www.australiapost.com.au

Have a safe trip home and our best wishes for a happy and successful transition to work.