It’s one month later, or maybe it’s three semesters later. You’re back in the States and now you want to share all that you experienced abroad with the entire world! However, there’s a couple of issues. You don’t want to come off as conceited as you talk about what you did and saw, or maybe someone has already reacted negatively towards your stories. These are some tips on how to engage a broad audience about your time abroad.

Start an Instagram page or blog

Instagram is a wonderful tool to visually show off what you’re doing while you’re still abroad. It allows your friends and family to follow along and make comments on the plate of grasshoppers you just ate, or the motorcycle taxi that you rode in. This way, instead of bombarding your family with stories when you come back, they themselves can already have a general idea of the stories that most appeal to them.

Be humble

The US is a huge country that spans four time zones, with coasts that touch the Atlantic and the Pacific. The fact is, that for many Americans, they have never traveled outside the US. Whether it be by choice or because of some outside force. With this, the best way to react if someone reacts negatively is to acknowledge their emotions and apologize. To you, it might not seem like a big deal. But to someone, for example, who has not been able to leave the country to see loved ones, it can be triggering as you describe going abroad. Traveling in itself is a privilege, studying away even more so. Being aware of who you’re talking to can go a long way.

Sharing with faculty/students

Here at Missouri State University, a lot of our students express interest in going abroad, but only three percent of our students actually do. A good way to share your experience is to contact the Study Away office and ask to be on the student panels that we host. There, you can engage other perspective students and answer questions that they might have about going abroad. Our faculty members are here because they love what they do, and they want to see our students succeed. With some faculty members leading short term programs, striking up a conversation and sharing your experiences with one another can be mutually benefiting.

Just be yourself

At the end of the day, the vast majority of people will be eager to hear about what you did abroad. However, there is a small minority that may grow tired in hearing your stories. All you can do is be yourself and accommodate them. Talk about your experience, but also talk about how you’re happy to be home. Believe it or not, but their are actually people that miss you outside of your dog! Be sure to show them some love too, and maybe, just maybe, you can be their tour guide when you take them back to your host country.