Returning to CSU

Welcome home and congratulations on successfully completing your education abroad experience!

Your education abroad experience does not have to end once you’ve returned to the US. You can use this page to explore opportunities for staying involved and participating in upcoming international activities.

Every education abroad returnee is added to our returnee email newsletter. Newsletters are emailed periodically throughout the semester. The newsletter, this site, our Instagram (@rams.abroad), and the Education Abroad calendar are tools to stay connected with the educational abroad community at CSU!

After your program concludes, students enrolled in SA 482 during their term abroad are responsible for requesting that their host university/program official transcript be sent directly to CSU. Your program provider may send hard copy transcripts or electronic transcripts. Please carefully review the instructions below to ensure your transcript is sent correctly

Hard Copy Transcripts

Hard copy transcripts must be mailed from the program provider/host university directly to CSU at the following address:

Office of International Programs
ATTN: Education Abroad
Colorado State University
Laurel Hall, 1024 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1024, USA

Electronic Transcripts

Electronic transcripts (or e-transcripts) must be sent in an official e-transcript format (scans/PDFs of transcripts will not be accepted as official). E-transcripts must be sent from the program provider/host university directly to CSU at [email protected].

Transcript Processing

The Registrar’s Office has up to 60 days to evaluate and process international transcripts once received; however, many transcripts are evaluated in less than 30 days. When your transcript does arrive, your credits will be posted on RamWeb. One official transcript is sent to us and must be kept on file here at CSU.

If you need additional transcripts for employment or graduate school, contact your program provider or host campus directly to order them. The Office of International Programs can only provide a copy of your transcript with a letter of authentication upon request (only two per student).

Many education abroad returnees experience new and unexpected emotions upon their return. This is normal and is often referred to as “re-entry adjustment” or “reverse culture shock.” Luckily, the coping skills that were successful abroad are also helpful upon your return. You may consider: 

  • Getting involved in on-campus activities, especially those with the Education Abroad Office. You’ll find lots of opportunities on this site. 
  • Identifying a support group of other education abroad students 
  • Keeping a journal of your observations, thoughts, and reflections 
  • Revisiting why you first wanted to study abroad. What were your goals? 
  • Talking with a trusted CSU staff or professor who wants to listen 

Remember, change is a positive thing and certainly not easy. You have new ideas and insights giving you a better sense of yourself. The goal is to figure out how to incorporate your new perspectives into your life back in the States. 

  • Career Center  
    • The CSU Career Center offers resources, events, and advising designed to help you spotlight and integrate your education abroad experience into your future career plans. These events and resources can help you: 
      • explore different careers 
      • highlight your skills 
      • develop your professional network 
      • prep for grad school 
      • navigate the job-search world  
      • discover your professional strengths 
      • get personal help as you prepare for graduate school, a gap year or employment 
      • and more!  
    • Every semester, the Education Abroad Office partners with the CSU Career Center to offer internationally-focused workshops. Past workshop include “Education Abroad on Your Resume and in the Interview,” as well as  “Working Abroad.” The workshops are designed to help you take the next step in your career or grad school aspirations. See Education Abroad’s calendar for future Education Abroad focused workshops. 
    • Explore all Career Center Events and Workshops 
  • Work in International Education
  • Work for CSU’s Office of International Programs 

Build Community

  • Returning from Abroad Socials – InterConnections  
    • Every semester, the Education Abroad Office partners with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) for InterConnections – events where both education abroad returnees and current international students studying at CSU can be in community. Past InterConnections activities include things like terra cotta pot painting, succulent planting, making homemade ice cream, game nights and more! Explore Education Abroad’s calendar for social events. 

  • International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) events 
    • International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) offers regular programming throughout the year. Past programming includes the annual World Unity Fair, weekly volleyball nights, and game nights. Education abroad returnees are welcome and encouraged to attend. These events are a great opportunity have fun and connect with the international community at CSU! Explore ISSS events & programs and subscribe to their newsletter to stay up to date on international community events at CSU.
Two women in pink dresses dancing on stage in front of a large crowd
The office of International Programs hosts the 2024 World Unity Fair. February 17, 2024

Workshops

See Office of Scholarship & Fellowship Advising calendar for workshop dates & times. 

Volunteer

  • Education Abroad Fair
    • Join us for one of our greatest events of the year – the CSU Education Abroad Fair! As an education abroad returnee, you are now one of the most informed and best advocates for international opportunities at CSU. Over 1,500 students attend our fair each year, where they come to talk with you and learn about your experiences abroad. To help promote or represent your program at the fair, please email [email protected].  
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
    • Partner with an education abroad advisor or coordinator to present at the pre-departure orientations (PDO) for your country or region. PDO’s are filled with equal parts excitement and nervousness for those who are about to study abroad. As a returnee and program expert, education abroad students want to hear from you to learn first-hand what it’s like to study abroad in a country or region.  
  • Mentor Future Education Abroad Students
    • Students getting ready for their study abroad program always have questions regarding what to pack, what classes abroad are like, cheap ways to explore their host country, and more… this is where you come in! Complete this form so CSU Education Abroad can share your contact information with students considering studying on your program or in your country.
  • Affiliate Ambassadors
    • Affiliate Ambassadors are paid or volunteer positions sponsored by our affiliate partners. CSU students can apply to be an Affiliate Ambassador after they’ve completed their affiliate program. If you are already an Affiliate Ambassador, or interested in becoming one, please email [email protected]. 

Academic

International Area Studies: The Interdisciplinary Studies Program offers an opportunity for students, regardless of discipline, to supplement their academic programs with knowledge in the field of international development. The focus of the program is on the study of the structures, components, and processes of development (economic, environmental, socio-cultural, and political). 

Work

  • Education Abroad Peer Advisors 
    • Nearly every semester, CSU Education Abroad hires current and former education abroad students to be Education Abroad Peer Advisors. Students who are passionate about studying abroad, want to share about their experiences, and want to share their knowledge and advice with future study abroad students are encouraged to apply! EA Peer Advisors will develop their communication, administrative, and leadership skills and further their international and intercultural interests. Meet our current EA Peer Advisors. Education Abroad Peer Advisor job openings are posted on Handshake. Returnees are emailed by the Education Abroad Office when jobs become available!

  • FYS Mentors
    • Those who participated in a First Year Program Abroad can apply to be an FYS mentor. As a mentor, you will support incoming first year students to welcome them to CSU. As a FYS mentor, you receive a stipend and have the opportunity to develop your leadership, mentoring, and public speaking skills. If interested, please reach out to [email protected]. FYS Mentors openings are posted on Handshake.

Social Media

Follow us on Instagram! @Rams.Abroad

 

Your international experiences can continue after graduation! Learning about other cultures, languages, histories, politics, and more will span your lifetime. While CSU does not have a single office that provides advising for post-graduate experiences abroad, there are many well-traveled individuals across campus who are happy to share their advice and expertise. Here are some resources to start exploring post-graduate international opportunities.

Teach Abroad

The following list of programs serves as a jumping off point for you to explore teaching English, or other subjects, abroad. What to keep in mind when looking at Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certifications and teach abroad programs: 

  • Cost of the program 
  • The support you receive with finding positions and making connections 
  • Salary/stipend/payment for teaching 
  • Housing options once you are abroad 
  • If it feels like a scam, it probably is! 

 Opportunities: 

  • Worldwide teaching opportunities in various subjects: 
  • US based organizations: 
  • General resources 

Work Abroad

International Graduate School Programs

CSU’s Office of Scholarship and Fellowship Advising, lists international post-graduate opportunities for graduating students. While there is not one centralized office that advises students considering graduate programs abroad, CSU Education Abroad recommends connecting with CSU professors and academic advisors for graduate program advice within a certain discipline.

Community Engagement

  • CSU Community Engaged Learning through TILT 
  • Community Health and Education in Zambia – CSU Staff and Faculty Led education abroad program with a strong focus on community engagement. 
  • CSU SLiCE Alternative Break Programs (for current CSU students) 
  • Important reminders: 
    • Non-credit programming cannot use federal financial aid. 
    • Many CSU education abroad program providers offer community engagement components along with educational coursework. 
    • Some education abroad programs have meaningful community engagement that will allow you to use your educational training to contribute to community-defined projects. 

Education Abroad Photo Contest details can be found here.  

 

Want to see what CSU Education Abroad programs look like from the student’s perspective? You’ve come to the right spot! Follow our Instagram account, @rams.abroad, to see photos from CSU students who’ve studied abroad, to learn about our programs, and to stay up to date with all things happening in our office!  

Interested in being featured on our page? Email [email protected] the following information for a chance to be featured: 

  • Up to 10 appropriate photos or short videos from your time abroad 
  • A caption describing who you are, the program you selected and why you chose it, and some takeaways you had from your program
  • Your Instagram handle so that we can tag you 
  • If comfortable, please share your pronouns