We hope you enjoyed your UCEAP experience! Now that you’re back, there are many ways for you to stay involved with UCSB EAP. Check out the need-to-know information below for a successful transition back to campus and for ways to build upon your experience abroad.
| Important Reminders | Re-entry Shock | Photo Contest | Post-Grad Opportunities | Staying Involved with EAP (intern course) |
Important Reminders
Academic Information
Now that your UCEAP program has ended, be sure that you understand how the process for the following important items works for you. View the Credits & Grades section for details on the topics listed below:
Final Grades - When will they appear in GOLD?
Course Registration - What should I consider regarding this process?
Major/Minor/GE Credits - Do I need to petition for these requirements?
Residence Requirement - Will I fulfill this in order to graduate on time?
Logistical Information
Clear your financial accounts in your UCEAP Portal and BARC
Make sure that you have a $0 balance on both accounts. Existing balances will result in a variety of holds and blocks on your grades, registration and graduation status. It takes time for holds and blocks to be removed, so get any remaining balances resolved today.
Mandatory UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
Enrollment in UC SHIP is automatic unless you have an approved waiver on file with Student Health. Have questions? Need to submit a waiver? Check out the SHS UC SHIP webpage for details.
Current contact information in GOLD
Now that you’re back at UCSB, be sure to update your local mailing address and phone number.
Housing needs
If you’re still looking for housing or have availability in your apartment, view and/or post listings on the UCSB Community Housing Office Rental Listings and the UCSB Education Abroad Program Housing Exchange Facebook group.
Re-Entry Shock
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Readjusting to Life After Study Abroad |
Reverse Culture Shock: Adjusting to Life at Home After Study Abroad
Re-entry shock, also referred to as reverse culture shock, is REAL and it is NORMAL. 85% of people returning from abroad have some kind of difficulty with re-entry. If you are having difficulty re-adjusting to life in the U.S., you are not alone.
Difficulty re-adjusting might include:
- Restlessness
- Rootlessness
- Depression
- Boredom
- Uncertainty and/or confusion about the future
- Changes in life goals and priorities
- Alienation, isolation, wanting to be alone
- Others don't seem to understand you
- Negativity or intolerance toward the U.S., including common behaviors, attitudes, and customs
- Reverse homesickness: missing people, places, attitudes or lifestyles of your host country
How is it different than culture shock?
Re-entry shock can be surprising and challenging in a different way. You expect to go through an adjustment period when living in a new country. You don't expect to need to re-adjust to life in your home country. You don't realize how much you've grown and changed until you return home.
Tips for re-adjustment:
- Be flexible and expect the unexpected
- Let yourself be sad and miss the people and places that you left
- Read up on current events from abroad
- Get involved with international organizations or clubs
- Give yourself time to reflect on how this experience has changed you
- Focus on the positive ways you have grown because of the experiences you had and what you have learned
- Keep a journal of your observations, memories and reflections - and don't forget to keep a sense of humor!
- Accept that you have changed and things won't be the same as when you left - and that's OK!
- Don't isolate yourself - stay involved with activities that you enjoy!
- Give yourself TIME!
Who can I talk to about my experiences abroad?
Even though your experiences abroad may have been transformative, some friends or family may tune you out when you want to talk about it with them. This is a very common experience - don't take it personally. Here are a couple of things you can do instead:
- Meet up with people who have had similar experiences, such as international students or other returnees, to share your experiences, frustrations and joys
- Share your experience with others who are eager to hear about it: volunteer to talk to other students who are interested in studying abroad
Check out the UCSB EAP Events page to learn more about workshops and opportunities for returnees.
If you are experiencing significant difficulty with re-entry, seek out professional help. You can make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or access 24/7 phone counseling by calling 805-893-4411.
- Did you come in contact with new and different values, beliefs or attitudes during your time abroad that resonate with you?
- What values, beliefs and attitudes from home do you continue to identify with?
- In what ways do your new values, beliefs and attitudes conflict with your old ones?
- In what ways can your old values, beliefs and attitudes be redefined and integrated with the new in your daily activities, interactions and relationships?
- Are there any old values, beliefs or attitudes that you feel you need to give up? How would that affect your daily life and relationships?
Photo Contest
EAP Photo Contest
Who can enter?
- CURRENT UCSB students who have studied abroad on a UCEAP program
What photos can be submitted?
- Photos taken during your study abroad experience. This can include travels outside your EAP country during the duration of your program.
- Photos taken by you or owned by you (the person submitting the photo).
Where to enter?
- Review the guidelines below and submit your entries in this Google form.
Submission Guidelines
- Eligible participants may submit up to three (3) photos per category. You may only win from one category.
- Categories:
1. Views: Show us views from abroad! This includes landscapes, sceneries, or architecture.
2. Gauchos Abroad: Show us cool shots of you abroad or group shots abroad, especially in UCSB gear!
3.Local Living: Show us a glimpse of the local culture! This can include local people, food, activities, etc.
- Images should be high quality
- Entries must be submitted online through this google form.
- Photos may not be digitally altered beyond basic color correction.
- Photos can be color, or black & white.
- Photo file types accepted are .JPEG or .PNG
- Filenames must be formatted accordingly:
EAP Country_LocationofPhoto_ShortPhotoTitle_Category_LastNameFirstName.jpg
Cultural Sensitivity
Photography is a useful tool to help convey an experience or a memory, but it is important to recognize the power photos can have and to share them ethically. Photos must be culturally appropriate and sensitive.
Please avoid submitting images that
- Stereotype
- Exploit
- Disrespect
- Make false generalizations
- Lead to inaccuracy or misrepresentations of the host country, people, or setting.
- Contain excessive alcohol & partying
Tips:
- Save your photos onto your computer or google drive so that you can rename and upload easily.
- This google form autosave, so you do not have to worry about starting over
Each participant must provide consent for EAP to use any material submitted in this Google form. This will be at the end of the Google form.
Deadline to submit: February 1, 2026
Winners will be contacted by early spring quarter.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
View the Life After UCSB packet for information regarding:
- Working and interning abroad
- Graduate schools abroad
- Teaching English abroad
- U.S.-based international careers
- Creating a job search portfolio
- Informational interviews
Hear from 3 fellow UCSB EAP alumni about the paths they pursued after graduation and the impact of their UCEAP experience.
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UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
Staying Involved with UCSB EAP
Join the UCSB Education Abroad Program Alumni Group on LinkedIn!
Global Gaucho Commission
The Global Gaucho Commission is a group of UCSB undergraduate students committed to uplifting and supporting our international student community in their academic journeys. Click on this link to learn how to get involved!