A good preparation for going overseas is reading and thinking thoughtfully about our own culture. Here are a few suggestions:
FAIRLIE, Henry. The Spoiled Child of the Western World. (Doubleday)
HOLM, Bill. Coming Home Crazy. An English teacher in the Peoples' Republic of China writes about his impressions of the United States when he returns. A humorous, but insightful look at culture and return culture shock.
KENNEDY, David. Citizen Diplomacy: Responding to Questions About America. Collection of more than sixty questions frequently asked about America, with sample responses that are informative, balanced, and non-confrontational.
LEDERER, WM. J. & BURDICK, Eugene. The Ugly American. (Fawcett)
SLATER, Philip E. The Pursuit of Loneliness. (Beacon Press)
Everyone should read the following two publications to become current on international affairs:
Another good place to find more books is at the University's Learning Resources Center: http://library.uwsp.edu
On returning from studies abroad, students often experience more culture shock than they did leaving the country to begin with. Here are some tips that may help with the re-entry process.
We have also a list of skills and qualities that you may have gained while studying abroad (useful for resumes and interviewing).
Also, check out our list of suggestions on how to continue the trend of life-long learning that you have begun through study abroad(includes scholarships/fellowship information.)
Do you know of some good books we should add? Please tell us! Reading List last updated Monday, February 05, 1996.
