If you are reading this section while you are still in your host country/culture, there are things you can do to prepare yourself for coming back to your home country/culture*:
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Record as much of your everyday life as you can, especially those ordinary places, people, and things you want to remember (both in your own reflections and material touchstones, such as photos, videos, souvenirs, etc.).
Capturing the photos and material touchstones will give you an opportunity to explore more deeply those things that have become a regular part of your life overseas. Pictures of the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Vatican or other major monuments are nice, especially with you and your friends standing in front of them. However, everyone sees pictures of these places all the time. They are visually familiar but no one has seen the places that are part of your everyday life. Those photographs will not only be more interesting to the folks at home but more meaningful to you when you return.
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Make plans to meet up with the friends/colleagues to say good-bye
Nobody likes to say goodbye and many study abroad students put it off until it is either too late altogether or they rush through the process. This is a big mistake. If you have made any friends or acquaintances while abroad, had a favorite teacher, lived with a home-stay family, got to know a local shop keeper, or established any regular relationship which was mutually important, then it is very important that you show respect and acknowledge the bond properly. It may be that there is a particular custom in your host-country for leave-taking that you may not be aware of and you may wish to ask a friend or mentor about.
- Visit your favorite places (coffee shop that you liked studying at, local farmers market, museum or park)
When the time comes to depart and return home, it is very important to say goodbye to all those places as well as the people who have become part of your life. A last visit, and taking the photos that you have forgotten until now, brings closure to your stay. That can also be a good opportunity to pick up some souvenirs/small gifts to people at home to share your experience.