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, it is your responsibility to request your official transcript be sent from your program provider 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 also provide a copy of your transcript with a letter of authentication upon request.

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. 

Build Community

  • Returning from Abroad Socials – InterConnections  
    • Every semester, the Education Abroad Office partners International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) for InterConnections – events where education abroad returnees & international students at CSU can be in community. We do fun things, like terra cotta pot painting, succulent planting, 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) hosts activities such as World Unity Fair, volleyball nights, game nights, TGIT (Thank God it’s Thursday). 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. 
  • Chalk the Flags on the LSC Plaza  
    • Early in the fall semester, the whole community at CSU turns out to chalk flags on the LSC Plaza. Missing your abroad experience? Chalk the flag of your host country! Do you have a special connection to a country? Chalk that flag! Are you an international student at CSU? Chalk your home country’s flag! Chalk the Flags beautifies the Plaza and raises awareness for the Ed Abroad Fair and the international community on campus. See Education Abroad’s calendar for event dates & times! 

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
    • Remember when you were applying for your education abroad program? You probably had a lot of questions and would have liked the opportunity to email a fellow CSU student for advice or to ask questions. Complete this form to share your contact information with fellow Rams who are considering the same country or program you participated in! You might receive an email from a Ram preparing for their upcoming study abroad. 
  • Affiliate Ambassadors
    • Affiliate Ambassadors are paid or volunteer positions through our Affiliate Programs that students can apply for after they’ve returned from an education abroad experience with their affiliate program. Within their role as Affiliate Ambassadors, students will be given tasks by their affiliate program provider. 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 
    • Work for the Education Abroad Office and get paid to talk about studying abroad! Nearly every semester, we hire current and former education abroad students to be Education Abroad Peer Advisors. If you are passionate and want to share about your own education abroad experience, this is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and advise students on the study abroad process. In this position, you will develop your communication, administrative, and leadership skills and further your international and intercultural interests. Meet our current EA Peer Advisors here. 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!

https://www.instagram.com/rams.abroad/

Your international experiences can continue after graduation! Learning about other cultures, languages, histories, politics, etc. can 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 would be happy to share their expertise. Here are some educational resources to help identify your next international learning and/or working 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

Community Engagement

The #RamsAbroad Photo Contest is a biannual photo contest conducted in the fall and spring semesters where CSU students who have studied abroad or are currently studying abroad can submit photos for a chance to win a prize. Students can submit one photo per category to four rotating categories. Two winners will be selected from each category – a Staff Vote winner from the CSU Office of International Programs faculty and staff and a Social Vote calculated via our Instagram (@rams.abroad) and via email. We are looking for photos that highlight the diverse international experiences of our students. Past participants are welcome to submit additional, new photos. 

How to submit your photos: 

  • Photos should be high resolution (minimum file size of 500k, maximum file size of 8Mb). Participants can only submit ONE photo per category.  
  • If you include photos of locals from the community where you studied abroad, please make sure you have permission from the person photographed before uploading.  
  • Photos of minors will not be accepted.    

*Please note: Photo submissions may be used in the CSU Office of International Programs marketing materials. 

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 
  • Your pronouns please (: