Share Your Story

Sharing your study abroad experience is an excellent way to process, reflect and make meaning. We encourage you to share your photos, videos, and stories with friends and family. 

You can also share your experience with the GVSU community! We are so excited to hear about your experiences abroad. There are many ways to share what you learned and inspire other students to go abroad:

Participate in the Global Laker Story Slam

• Every fall we host a story slam for returned study abroad students and international students to share stories and experiences from time spent abroad. Learn more about the story slam and our storytelling workshop on the story slam page.

Share Photos:

• You could be a featured photographer in PIC publications, promotional material or our website. 

  Please remember to include:

  • Your name
  • Your contact information
  • The country/program the photos are from

• Email photos to s[email protected]

  IMPORTANT: Please fill out the following copyright release form when you submit images or articles to GVSU. This will give us permission to use your images on our website and in our study abroad catalog. Copyright Release Form

Share a Digital Reflection:

• Submit a reflection
• View other student spotlight submissions

Academics

Find out how you will receive credit for the courses you received abroad based on your program:

• Faculty-Led Academic Credit
• Issues Credit

Faculty-Led Academic Credit

If you completed a faculty-led study abroad program, your grade will be updated in your GVSU academic record after you have submitted all outstanding course assignments.

Issues Credit

You can receive Issues credit for coursework taken abroad. Eligibility requirements and instructions are available in the Issues section of our General Education page.

Returnee Resources

The process of returning home from a study abroad program can be challenging. Most students experience a transition as they re-adjust to life at home. If you find that you are experiencing significant challenges that are impacting your performance at school, your social life, or your ability to engage in other areas of your life, we encourage you to connect with the University Counseling Center for support.

The Padnos International Center organizes a variety of events throughout the academic year for returning study abroad students. You will receive email updates about upcoming events as a study abroad alum.

We have compiled a few additional resources that may be helpful to you as you navigate this process:

As you prepare to leave your host country, check out this article on How to End Your Study Abroad Experience on the Right Foot

Are you experiencing some setbacks in your adjustment after studying abroad? Check out this article on 10 Tips for When You're Feeling Depressed After Studying Abroad

Check out the Re-Entry Blog from Small Planet Studio for a variety of stories from students transitioning to life at home after studying abroad.

Get Involved

Share your experience studying abroad with other students, find ways to get involved in global issues and conversations at GVSU and in your community, and meet other students who studied abroad.

• Join Uniting Nations an organization for students interested in global topics
• Be a volunteer for events in our office
• Apply to work in our office as a Study Abroad Peer Advisor
• Get involved with intercultural organizations in West Michigan or attend cultural events

Uniting Nations

Uniting Nations, formally known as Bringing Together the World (BTW), is a diverse GVSU student organization that brings together international students, past study abroad participants and anyone interested in global topics. Uniting Nations aims to get GVSU students involved in the international community, both locally and globally. 

Members are involved in several projects including:

• Intercultural Festival
• International Student Welcome and Orientation (PEEPS)
• International Education Week
• Community outreach 
• Other social and professional events

Join Uniting Nations on LakerLink to receive updates on meetings & events!  

For more information contact: [email protected] or Andres Ortiz-Estevez ([email protected])

Study Abroad Fair Volunteer

PIC sponsors a Study Abroad Fair each semester to promote overseas opportunities to the GVSU community. The success of the fair depends largely on the involvement of returned study abroad students. Share your experiences with others at our fair by volunteering to talk to students interested in study abroad!

Volunteering Contact: Padnos International Center

pic@gvsu.edu

Volunteer Sign-up

Peer Study Abroad Adviser Positions

The Padnos International Center has several Study Abroad Peer Advisor positions available each year. If you are interested in exploring work opportunities in our office, please contact Meaghann Smith at (616) 331-3898 or email at [email protected]. For students interested in becoming Peer Advisors, please click the link below to access our online application. 

APPLY NOW

More Opportunities Abroad

Take advantage of opportunities to go abroad again. As a GVSU student you can study abroad up to four times! 

There are many additional opportunities to go abroad after you graduate. Are you thinking of graduate school? Consider completing a Master's Degree Abroad.

Regardless of your major, there are many opportunities to Teach Abroad.

The Office of Fellowships has information on many funded opportunities to go abroad after you graduate.

Career Resources

Your experiences abroad won't count to an employer unless the you can say how it has made you a better person, scholar, citizen, and professional. Read our guides to learn how to incorporate your study or internship abroad experience into your resume and how to communicate the importance of your international experience in an interview, at a career fair, during informational interviews, and on social media sites.

• Study Abroad to Career: Use your experience abroad for future professional benefit
• Intern to Professional: Capitalize on your international internship experience
• Get a Career in International Education

Suggestions from Study Abroad Alumni

• Get Involved with GVSU Cultural Organizations and seek out opportunities to connect with international students at GVSU
• Apply for the Intercultural Training Certificate program. www.gvsu.edu/itc
• Enroll in a foreign language class or another course that helps build upon what you learned abroad
• Participate in on-campus international events
• Consider living in the International House on campus (part of the Mark A. Murray living center)
• Browse Life After Study Abroad website and magazine
• Subscribe to a foreign newspaper or listen to NPR for updated world news
• Join international organizations, such as: West Michigan World Affairs Council, Grand Rapids Sister Cities International, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, and others. For additional information, visit www.grandrapids.org

International Graduation Sash

Students that have studied abroad can purchase a study abroad sash to be worn at their commencement ceremony through Vision Wear. The sash has a symbol representing the flag of the country that you studied in.

COUPON - GVSU2024GRAD 

Deadline: April 19, 2024

IMPORTANT: You must use your @mail.gvsu.edu email address to activate the coupon code.

Each email address will only be allowed to make one purchase. Please be sure to order at least two weeks in advance to get the sashes delivered to your home. 

ORDER NOW: https://www.visionwear.com/

Questions? Contact Vicki Wenger ([email protected])