A Student's Viewpoint:

"I attended an AO Re-Entry when I first went with YFU and it provided me an outlet to talk with people who went through a similar experience. I learned from other alums that I missed out by not going to school while overseas and so I applied again and went to Australia for a semester."

Sharon Carver
Belgium 1985
Australia 1987

"My AO Re-Entry was the greatest motivator for getting involved in YFU. I saw how the alumni helped out leading the Re-Entry sessions and generally had a good time together, and it made me want to do that too. It also showed me that there was something tangible that I could do to carry on my exchange experience and share it with others. AO Re-Entry gives you a chance to debrief, to collect your thoughts and feelings about exchange and share them with others who understand. It makes the readjustment to life at home easier because you know that what you are going through is normal. You also know that there is a built-in support network in YFU alumni. Even now, facilitating AO Re-Entries, I find the discussions useful to sort through Re-Entry issues I still have to this day, and it's been 5 years since I returned!"

Melissa McDonough
Congress Bundestag, 1993-94

Wanted: National Alumni Council Member If you are interested and up to the challenge check out the Dec. '98 update for more details.

A Facilitator’s Viewpoint:

"As a trainer of AO Re-Entry I think it is a critical piece of exchange that is too often ignored once the student has arrived back in the United States. It is one thing to have a Re-Entry orientation in the host country (which I have also facilitated) but it is another issue once you are home and actually experiencing the feelings and issues Re-Entry discusses. AO Re-Entry really allows the student to take a look at their exchange and how they fit back into the life they left as a changed person. In many ways Re-Entry is a personal experience but it also lets the person know that YFU is still here, cares about what and how they are doing and wants to provide them opportunities for life long learning. In some ways Re-Entry is just the beginning of the YFU experience and how it affects an exchange student’s life. My hope is that one day soon it will be a required part of the YFU program. By holding AO Re-Entry orientations YFU can do a lot to facilitate readjustment and engagement and to assist in making the process as smooth as possible, as well as gaining new and enthusiastic YFU volunteers."

Lisa M. Chinnery
France 1988

Sarah Orne Jewett
American Writer

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