Returned Students
Welcome back! We hope you had an amazing experience abroad! Despite how life-changing and fun study abroad can be, we know it can sometimes be hard to readjust to your life back in the States. Check out some opportunities to stay involved with the international community at ECU, as well as resources for credit transfer and fulfilling scholarship points.
Returnee Events and Volunteering Opportunities
Transcripts and Course Approval Form
Follow-on Projects for Thomas Rivers Scholarship Recipients
Global Understanding Courses – International Virtual Exchange
Global Understanding Certificate
Returnee Events and Volunteering Opportunities
Office of Global Affairs hosts many events throughout the semester. See some event descriptions below:
- International Coffee Hour: Meet international students and scholars studying at ECU! This is a casual event offered multiple times throughout each semester with tea, coffee and snacks from around the world.
- Returnee events: We host two events every semester for students who have returned from study abroad. One event is dedicated to connecting with other returned study abroad students, discussing re-entry culture shock and ways to engage with the international community at ECU. The second event is a workshop dedicated to learning how to talk about your study abroad experience in job interviews or graduate school interviews/applications.
- Pre-Departure Orientation: Volunteer to speak with students who are about to study abroad at their pre-departure orientation! PDO is held on Reading Day and we will make a call for volunteers closer to the date!
Become a Global Ambassador
Global Ambassadors are returned study abroad student who volunteer with the Office of Global Affairs for a full academic year – and beyond! They are an extension of the OGA team and love helping prospective study abroad students find their path to making study abroad a reality!
Meet our current Global Ambassadors!
Ready to apply? Apply Now!
Transcripts and Approval Form
After completing your study abroad program, for the credits to transfer back to ECU, an official transcript needs to be either mailed directly to the Office of Global Affairs at the address below or emailed directly from your institution abroad to studyabroad@ecu.edu.
306 East Ninth St. Greenville, NC 27858-4353 USA
Once we receive the official transcript, which can take a few months, we will use your Course Approval Form to transfer the credits into your ECU degree. It is critical that you complete the Course Approval Form before returning, so the transfer of the credits isn’t delayed. Typically, students will confirm their course enrollment while abroad, at which point, you can work with departments to get course approvals submitted via the Course Approval Form.
Follow-on Projects for Thomas Rivers Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations again on your Thomas Rivers scholarship. This award comes with an expectation that you will complete 10 points in service activities for summer programs and 15 points in service activities for semester programs for the ECU Office of Global Affairs. Service activities may be completed either while abroad or upon return to campus. The following activities are worth the points listed. These activities can be completed in any combination to attain the 10 or 15 points requested.
- Submit a photo and caption to studyabroad@ecu.edu to be posted on ECU Abroad social media (Facebook, Instagram). 1 pt per post
- Classroom announcement promoting your experience (minimum 5 minutes). 5 pts
- Create a video compilation of your study abroad experience and send to studyabroad@ecu.edu (3 minute minimum). 5 pts.
- Create a virtual story map of your experiences abroad (5 picture minimum). ecu.maps.arcgis.com 5 pts.
- Participate in the Study Abroad Fair or other Education Abroad events. 5 pts per event
- Sign up for a social media takeover: Social Media Takeover Registration 5 Pts
Photo Contest
Did you study abroad during the last academic year? Submit a photo to our annual photo contest.
Student Groups
There are student groups and organizations on campus that are dedicated to international issues and interests, such as WorldWise and the International Student Association. You can find them on the Pirate Experience.
Global Understanding Courses – International Virtual Exchange
Interested in continuing your connection with communities around the world? Each semester a number of courses in a variety of disciplines are offered using an International Virtual Exchange modality. Students taking these courses have the opportunity to work with their peers around the world as they:
- Discover and explore global cultures
- Build cultural awareness and cultural competencies
- Develop intercultural communication and collaboration skills
Learn more about International Virtual Exchange courses.
Global Understanding Certificate
By studying abroad, you have already completed one requirement of a Global Understanding certificate! The GU certificate is a great opportunity for students interested in global themes, languages or having a global career. You can find out more information here: Global Understanding Certificate