1. CUAbroad pre-departure orientation
The Catholic University of America Counseling Center

2. Preparation Current mental health Medication, therapy
Continuing mental health
How to maintain while abroad?
Fill prescriptions before leaving
Find providers abroad
How to anticipate?
What have transitions been like for you in the past?
What has it been like to make new friends?
Are you receiving treatment currently?
Medication? Bring meds in their proper and original bottle. Don’t want to get them confiscated.
Therapy?
Would you like to continue either therapy or medication?
Talk to your doctor
Talk to your therapist
Important things to consider
How has change been for you in the past?
What was it like for you to come to college
Was it difficult or a smooth transition
How is it for you leaving your support group
Family
Friends
Significant other
If you are concerned about how it will be to go abroad you can
Talk to a therapist or the counseling center
They can help prepare you
Your therapist or the counseling center can also help you get set-up with a therapist if you want to continue treatment abroad

3. Preparation
Familiarize yourself with the other culture before you depart
Plan for how to communicate with friends and family
Consider time zone differences, access to technology
Discuss with your romantic partner the expectations for the relationship
Do a self-care inventory and bring the most important parts with you
Music, books, running shoes, movies, camera
If you’re uncertain and want more guidance, consider talking to a counselor to gain more clarity or learn strategies in advance
Setup plans for communication
Skype if you have not already
Especially with parents who may not be as tech savvy
If you are in a relationship
Talk to your partner ahead of time. Negotiate rules, barriers to communication.
Set-up some type of parameters?
What kind of relationship do we want to have?

4. once You’re There Honeymoon Period Adjustment Period New Routine
Familiarize yourself with the environment, laws, and safety concerns.
Immerse yourself!!!
Notice differences between new and old culture.
Don’t be afraid of them. Instead, savor them!!
Once you are there
Usually a honeymoon period
Everything is great and exciting
1-7 days
Then an adjustment period
This can be hard
You are part of a new culture
Making new friends
New routine
Adjusting your relationships with your friends family and significant other
Host family
Home sickness
What is it?
Allow it to happen, don’t try to fight it
What can you do?
Need to also adjust not just reconnect.
Eventually you will establish a routine
Coping Skills
Talking with friends and family
Bringing and sharing pictures of family and friends from home
Seeing American movies there
Bringing music, CDs, ipod that you like
Making friends and talking to them while abroad
Praying
If you continue to have difficulty
Talk to your program leader
Try to figure out what you need or are missing
Understand your resources
We can help you get set up with a therapist.
Be careful and aware of surroundings.
Travelers and students can be a target for pickpocketing, robberies, assaults.
Especially when drinking or in areas that you may feel are less safe.
If something happens to you an assault robbery sexual assault. Contact authorities/program leaders/therapist if necessary.
Take the time to enjoy yourself
Take in the culture
Savor the experiences
Keep a journal. Take photographs. Spend time with locals.

5. While You’re There If it’s still hard… Reach out to your program lead
Try to figure out what is causing the most distress
Understand your resources
Consult with the Counseling Center
Website and social media for resources and tips for adjusting

6. Returning Can be difficult
Saying goodbye to new friends and leaving a home
Trying to share your experience with others
Tips:
Before returning home, make sure to do most of your “last time” requests (last time visiting your favorite restaurant, last time going out with a particular group of friends) and say goodbye in whatever way feels best for you
Find ways to keep your experience abroad alive– make a photo album, take classes relevant to your experience, plan a visit back, keep in touch with friends
Returning
Can be tough
It is an adjustment back
Remember to say goodbye
Exchange contact information
Things are going to be different.
Maybe hard to feel that you share experiences with people that did not go abroad.
Often people talk about this in counseling
Learn to value your experiences at home or school as well. Be patient with yourself.