Going home
We hope that your time as a student at UniSA has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Before you return to your home country, there are many arrangements that you will need to make. This information site provides answers to some frequently asked questions about preparing to return home once you have completed your studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I need to do to prepare for my return home?
- What do I have to do in order to graduate?
- What adjustments will I need to make when I return home?
- How can I get help once I have returned home?
What do I need to do to prepare for my return home?
You may wish to access the following resources to assist you with your planning and preparations to leave Australia:
- Returning home checklist (Word 81kb - opens in a new window) to help you organise your plans for returning home
- Download the Careers Checklist (Word 14kb - opens in a new window) or visit the Career Services website which offers a range of services and resources aimed at maximising graduates' employability
You may also wish to join the UniSA Alumni Network
For further information contact International Student Support at the Learning and Teaching Unit or email your enquiry to ltu@unisa.edu.au
What do I need to do in order to graduate?
In order to graduate you will actually need to apply to graduate. At the appropriate time, the Graduation Office will send you an application form for Conferment of Award. You should return this to the Graduation Office by the due date. If you do not hear from the Graduations Office, please contact them and remind them that you expect to graduate soon.
Further information about graduation is available from the Graduations website.
While it is important that you maintain your current address details with the University so that you receive appropriate documentation without delay, it will also be necessary for you to give Campus Central your address in your home country for their records. So, please contact Campus Central with any address or name changes.
What adjustments will I need to make when I return home?
When you first came to Australia you needed to adjust to a different life and culture. When you return home it could also take time to readjust to life in your country. You will have changed and so may have many things at home. This is called re-entry or reverse culture shock. Adjustments you may need to consider making will include:
- Cultural
- Changes in lifestyles
- Family and community pressures, expectancies and performances
- Social
- Recognition of different attitudes and values
- Differences between patterns of social interactions
- Language
- Changes in the way you communicate (accent, gestures)
- Feeling unfamiliar with changes in language and expressions at home
- National and Political
- Changes in political conditions at home
- Changes in your own political views
- Educational
- Reconciling aspects of Australian education with education at home
- Differences in technology
Thinking about the kinds of readjustments you may experience and talking to someone about your expectations about going home can help with the transition. You may wish to talk to a Counsellor at the Learning and Teaching Unit by booking an appointment.
How can I get help once I have returned home?
If you find it difficult to cope once you return home, and you would like to talk about this with someone, email or phone the Learning and Teaching Unit on your home campus. If you need to ask a specific question, you can email an International Student Officer.