Before departing for my semester abroad in Copenhagen, I prepared myself for the culture shock; I knew the currency was completely different, bikes ruled the roads and classes would mainly be discussion and group-work oriented. Despite facing a few first-day challenges, such as memorizing a new Danish phone number, figuring out the metro and finding an outlet adapter that actually worked, I overcame the jetlag and jumbled confusion, leading to a wonderful first week and the best few months of my life.
What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the reverse culture shock— and I’m not just referring to returning to American tip culture, free water at restaurants and car-centric infrastructure. Some of the biggest and most unanticipated reverse culture shocks happened here at Vanderbilt when I moved back to start the spring semester.
First, the act of moving back into the dorms was quite strange. While the process was easier since I wasn’t fighting for hallway space with others’ boxes overflowing out of every room, I did feel quite awkward as the only one in the building banging on my bed with a mallet, most likely disturbing the peace for some of my new neighbors. Additionally, by studying abroad in the fall, Vanderbilt housing just plops you wherever there’s an opening, and there’s not much communication or choice in the matter. I was fortunate enough to get a single, but it came with entering an environment where I haven’t gotten to know any of the people with whom I’m sharing the building. I would have appreciated the opportunity to be a bit more involved in deciding where I live, especially since it shouldn’t be a problem given that there are significantly more vacancies in the spring semester than in the fall. If Vanderbilt truly wants to build communities in its residential spaces, it’s important to include late-arriving students in that process.
Speaking of housing, I nearly cried when I saw how early the housing process would be taking place this semester for the upcoming year. I hadn’t seen almost anyone from campus since the spring semester last year; how in the world was I supposed to begin conversations with my old friends about housing plans as soon as the second week back? “Hi, long time no see, I haven’t seen you in months, want to live together?” As much as you can try to stay in touch with friends while abroad, it’s never going to be as easy as being on campus with them. You have time zones to work across and oceans between you; it’s hard to figure out if you’d be compatible living together when living on completely different continents.
I also would have appreciated it if Vanderbilt gave some updates on what’s new on campus for those who may have missed out on the changes in the first semester. I got most of my updates from Fizz, which wasn’t exactly the preferred method of being informed about campus happenings, albeit very humorous. For example, the first time I walked into Carmichael, I had absolutely no idea what to do and embarrassed myself by asking so many questions to the thankfully very patient worker. No one had bothered telling me what counted as a meal or a side there, and it was an extremely awkward experience. At the beginning of the school year, students collectively learn the new ins and outs together; spring returners have no such community.
Academics were also a challenge. It’s no secret that study abroad courses are typically less academically rigorous, at least in terms of outside-of-class homework and assignments. I attribute part of this juxtaposition to the European-style learning that I had in Denmark, but it’s also common across programs because of the students’ desire to spend more time outside of the classroom engaging in their abroad experiences. This isn’t a request for Vanderbilt to make its courses lighter, as that wouldn’t be an apt solution, but to provide more support, resources and understanding for returning students. This change would only have positive effects on abroad students as well as those who stayed here. Professors teaching at the beginning of the spring semester should approach their students and curriculum with the same grace often present at the beginning of fall semester classes.
Additionally, academics for returning students could have a better transition if academic advisors made more effort to stay in touch with students abroad. By reaching out, they ensure that the student is on track with both the classes in the international program and the semester when they return. It’s common to feel behind when returning, especially when my abroad courses weren’t automatically updated in my degree audit. Some extra guidance would be appreciated.
Perhaps the biggest challenge of coming back in the spring has been the social aspect. Getting back into the rhythm of the clubs and organizations I had temporarily left behind was hard. Finding time to catch up with friends was difficult — many of them were back into the groove of things much quicker than I was at the start of the semester. Studying abroad looms over your head in terms of planning for future semesters, but it’s also a tough transition when you return to those same situations you had to take a step back from.
Overall, I don’t regret my decision to study abroad in the fall, even though I see why it’s the less-chosen semester. In Copenhagen, I had especially beautiful weather and holiday experiences. I met people I hope to have in my life for a long time. However, if Vanderbilt wants to keep encouraging students to study abroad in the fall, more than a few perks are needed to sweeten the deal. Providing resources, even as small as just some informative emails on what’s new or connecting them with others who are also abroad, allows returners to figure out the challenges together.
Coming back to campus felt almost as foreign as when I first arrived in my host country, and with just a little bit of support, I’m certain that Vanderbilt can work to make this experience feel a bit more like coming home.
