Stay Connected after Study Abroad

Connect with others

Every year there are about 1,300 JMU students who choose to study abroad! As a source of support, we encourage you to stay connected to others students who have studied abroad. Here are 5 ways you can do so: 

1) Join the JMU Study Abroad Alumni Facebook group

As a JMU student who participated in study abroad, you are now a member of the JMU's Study Abroad Alumni group!  This is a network of other JMU students and alumni who all share the experience of studying abroad and to inspire future JMU students to study abroad. Being a part of this Facebook group is another great way to get a return on your unique investment of studying abroad. Keep a look out for interesting stories, articles, blogs, job and volunteer opportunities, and more related to study abroad!  

For more information contact Pernell Whitfield at whitfipr@jmu.edu.

2) Plan a Reunion!  

Once students return, many find it helpful to stay connected with people from their study abroad program. Take the initiative to plan a reunion for your study abroad group! Make a meal together using recipes from your host country, share stories, look at photographs, or meet up somewhere on or off-campus for a meal together.

3) Attend the Lessons From Abroad Conference

Every year, a College of University in Virginia will host the annual Lessons From Abroad Conference for Virginia.  Through the LFA conference, you will be able to:

• Meet other recent study abroad returnees from all over Virginia
• Hear from dynamic and motivating keynote speakers
• Learn how to talk about your newly acquired skills in a job interview
• Discover how you can work or study abroad after graduation
• Network with professionals working in internationally-focused jobs
• Stay connected and share stories from your study abroad experience

4) Come to Re-Entry Programs at JMU

Coming soon for the 2018-19 school year!

5) Get involved!

(volunteer opportunities, etc.)

Now that you have expanded your worldview from studying abroad, there are many ways you can get involved in the JMU or Harrisonburg community.

• Become a LINKer (Leader for International Networking & Knowledge) or conversation partner at JMU.
• Attend or present at the International Student Leadership Conference.
• Continue to keep-up your second language fluency: read foreign books, listen to international music or the radio, seek international news sources, download the "hello talk" app, join a language club, serve as an ESL tutor,  stay connected with friends from abroad, revisit language learning resources, and more.
• Serve your community! JMU's Community and Service Learning has a great list of ways to serve and volunteer in the community.
• Take an elective course at JMU outside of your major that will continue to provide global perspective to your undergraduate education.
• Contact the Office of International Programs to volunteer with one of our programs such as Study Abroad Fair, International Week, Taste of Study Abroad, and more.