Shipping
By the end of your stay not only have you accumulated much more than you anticipated, but you may also decide that you don’t want to carry what you already have. There are a few options available. Parcels can be sent back to the U.S. via air, air and sea, or by regular mail. Regular mail means that it will go by sea and will take several weeks to be delivered. Sea/Air takes about one month and by air it takes a few days. Remember though, air freight will be the most expensive, so be prepared.
“Reverse” Culture Shock
Needless to say it is sometimes as traumatic to return to your normal life in the U.S. as it is to begin a life elsewhere. Australia gives you the chance to stretch, to find out who you are, to be an important part of a university or college program but to have time to consider the world, to travel and to meet people. You have had an experience that will have changed you into a more independent human being. Returning to a less independent environment makes the ‘reverse culture shock’ quite interesting.
The feeling of being “out of the loop” is a common occurance. It is at this point of your life that you must put together the experience of being in Australia with what your life is and will become. It is always a challenge but perhaps one of the most exciting challenges available.
You may need to talk to your Study Abroad Officer at your home university upon your return, or sit down with friends and family and discuss these feelings. This is a common occurance with students returning home. You should not feel as if you are the only one going through the confusion.
Transfer of grades
As you will become aware, the grading system in Australia can be quite different from the system at your home institution. The process of grade transfer is usually something that must start before you leave for Australia.
The process of class selection should be done in advance to insure that the courses you take in Australia will be eligible for credit back in the States. Usually it is a collaborative effort between the International Office and Registrar’s office in Australia and the Study Abroad office and Registrar’s office at your home institution.
If you are travelling through a US organization sponsored program or direct exchange program, they will normally organize the grade transfer as part of the program.