Delaware Valley Study Abroad Re-entry Conference

The annual Delaware Valley Study Abroad Re-Entry Conference aims to provide college and university students who have recently returned from a study abroad experience with a variety of information. Developed by a committee of study abroad professionals, the conference will offer sessions on topics including career paths of study abroad participants, volunteer and non-profit opportunities abroad, the fellowship experience, and internationalizing résumé and interviews. This event is open to any student from a college or university in Philadelphia or Delaware Valley who has studied abroad, in any foreign country, for any length of time.

"Global Engagement: Life After Study Abroad"

• Discover international opportunities in and around Philadelphia
• Meet other students with similar interests and share experiences
• Learn how to incorporate international experiences into resume and interviews
• Find out ways to get back abroad to study, teach, and work

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Eating. Sharing. Learning.

Over lunch, participants will engage in activities and discussions geared toward reflection about their time abroad--sharing stories, learning from their peers, discussing strategies for adjusting back to living in the U.S., and exploring how their overseas experiences equip them with a valuable and unique perspective on the world.

Opportunities that Await Participants

After lunch participants will focus on opportunities for them to build upon their study abroad experiences after they graduate. The conference will offer three breakout sessions to provide more in-depth information on the following topics:

• Working Globally in the US: This panel will showcase people with work that has an international component, but is based in the United States. It is designed to help students to explore career paths that will provide avenues for their international interests. The moderator will ask some prepared questions and there will also be time for questions from the audience.
   
• International Volunteering: This breakout session aims to demonstrate to returned study abroad students a number of ways in which they can engage in volunteer work with organizations abroad or non-profits based here in the US. The panelists are prepared to discuss their experiences volunteering abroad and the work that they each do locally with non-profits that support international efforts. As volunteer and non-profit work can be quite varied, so will the experiences shared on this panel; therefore, students are encouraged to ask questions of our knowledgeable panel.
   
• Diving into Fellowships: This panel discussion is designed to educate students about fellowship opportunities that may be available to them as study abroad alumni. Each panelist has great experience offering advice and guidance for students who are interested in pursuing international fellowship opportunities. The moderator will begin the discussion with some questions for the panelists. There will be time at the end of the panel for questions from the audience.
   
• Marketing Study Abroad Experience: This session will help students to explore the possibility of attending graduate school abroad and what that experience actually entails. The panelists will discuss various aspects of this endeavor including differences in approach between US and European schools; the difference between undergraduate study abroad and studying full-time as an international student; what graduate schools abroad are looking for in international applicants and how to better prepare for them application. This is a great session for students who are thinking about returning overseas for graduate school.
   
• Graduate School Opportunities Abroad: This session will help students to explore the possibility of attending graduate school abroad and what that experience actually entails. The panelists will discuss various aspects of this endeavor including differences in approach between US and European schools; the difference between undergraduate study abroad and studying full-time as an international student; what graduate schools abroad are looking for in international applicants and how to better prepare for their applications. This is a great session for students who are thinking about returning overseas for graduate school.
   
• International Philly: This session is unique in that we will discuss ways that students can live internationally focused lives in the city, not strictly related to career and education goals, although these topics will be covered as well. The session will focus on international organizations and groups in Philadelphia that students can get involved in now and continue living internationally here in Philly!
   
• Digging Deeper: This session is a chance to begin the long, hard work of integrating students' foreign experience into their Re-Americanized life. They will explore some of the opportunities that face students now as they consider how their perspective has changed.

Conference participants will choose three sessions to attend.

PHOTO CONTEST

Students attending the conference are encouraged to submit one photo from their time abroad for the Conference's Photo Contest. Finalists for the contest will be displayed at the conference and voted upon by attendees. The winner will be announced at the end of the conference. Students interested in submitting a photo, should do so here.