Help International Students with Reentry

As your international friends near graduation, many will return to their home countries. You can play a big role in helping them prepare to return and adjust after reentry.

3 QUICK TIPS FOR HELPING WITH REENTRY

Discuss reentry expectations
Honor their language and culture
Stay connected

Do you know of an international believer who will return home soon or has already returned home?

Let IFI know and our team will reach out to see how we can help them.

Connect a Returned Student with IFI

3 Ways to Help International Students with Reentry

Discuss Reentry Expectations

Simply talking about what life back home may be like is a big help to international students. Help them see the blessings of their cultures so they return home with a positive view. You could even consider reading a reentry book with them before they leave for home.

Discuss with them:

Read a reentry book together
Brainstorm ideas of how to connect with God when they go back
Ask how they might handle cultural differences back home
Highlight examples of God working in their culture

Honor their language and culture

While many people in the US speak English, your friend’s home country likely has its own native language. Encourage your friend to use their own language when they pray and read the Bible. You could also help them find a local church of their culture in the US.

Encourage students to:

Pray aloud in their own language
Read the Bible and share their testimony in their own language
Join/lead a Discovery Bible Study
Join a Bible study or church of their culture while in the US

Stay Connected

Even after your friend returns home, you can stay connected online and be a support for your friend. If you can make local connections for them, that’s great! But always remember to be patient and encouraging as your friend adjusts to life back home.

Next Steps:

Visit churches, other returnees, and Christian friends
Serve in a church and/or Bible Study

You can also contact IFI to receive help networking your returned student with others we know in the area they are returning to.

Grow as a Reentry Guide

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Books

Think Home

Think Home: A Reentry Guide for Christian International Students

This popular workbook by Lisa Espineli Chinn helps Christian international students think through the challenges they will face upon returning home. It includes thought-provoking questions, exercises, Bible studies, comments from past returnees, reentry teaching, and a list of additional resources.

Back Home

Back Home: Daily Reflections on Reentry

From the book’s introduction: “These daily readings, for the first month of your return to your home country, are designed to help you navigate the reentry terrain. This is a booklet of brief thoughts and biblical reflections to help you understand the reentry process and keep your heart and mind focused on God.”

Home Again

Home Again: Preparing International Students to Serve Christ in Their Home Countries

By Nate Mriza. People experiencing cultural re-entry can be tired, confused or discouraged, and are often critical of their own home culture. Re-entry can be a major adjustment, so it’s important to work through issues that arise so you function well back home.

This book can be found used online or you can email the author to ask about buying a copy:

New Horizons

New Horizons: Adjusting To Life Back Home

This book by International Students, Inc. provides a wealth of information, advice and encouragement as you begin your road home again. Learn from those who have gone before and contributed their insight for your benefit. New Horizons is designed to help with the transition of returning home and the life you live on the new horizon ahead of you.

Returning Home to China

Returning Home to China (PDF)

20 page booklet by China Outreach Ministries with studies on: Discerning God’s call to return or remain, finding a church home, planning your personal ministry and workplace challenges. Excellent studies particularly suitable for those who have been Christians for more than a couple of months.