Carnegie Mellon University
Office of International Education  ›  Study Abroad  ›  Returning Home  ›  Opportunities on Campus

Opportunities on Campus

We hope students will bring their experiences back home to Carnegie Mellon by sharing international perspectives and lessons learned. Sharing your experience abroad is an exciting way to connect with the Carnegie Mellon community and can provide other students considering study abroad with valuable knowlege and resources. There are many meaningful opportunities to share your experience abroad. Listed below are some existing opportunities on campus.

OIE welcomes input at any time with regard to returned student services and opportunities. Do you have a question or suggestion? Email GoAbroad@andrew.cmu.edu.

Stories & Photos

Interviews and photos provide a first-hand glimpse of life abroad and are an exciting way to share your experience. We will hold onto any photos submitted for our annual spring photo contest and will reach out about any work we would like to share on our website or social media. Learn more.

E-Peer Advisory

Our E-Peer Advisory connects study abroad alumni with students beginning their study abroad journey. Learn more.

 

Programs & Presentations

The study abroad staff have developed a series of programs and events designed to welcome students back to campus. In addition, many returned students participate in panel discussions, residence hall programming and other study abroad events which provide information to students interested in studying abroad. Learn more.

Commencement

Returning study abroad students graduating from Carnegie Mellon can order a special Commencement sash representing their time abroad. Learn more.

 

Study Abroad Photos

We frequently share student photography on our website and promotional materials. In addition, each spring, OIE sponsors the annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. Students returning from studying abroad may submit up to two photos in the following categories: People, Landscape, Animals and You Abroad. Please indicate if photo submissions may also be judged in our annual photo contest. Winning entries are shared on our social media and displayed in the Cohon Center during Spring Carnival, and all submissions are eligible for use on our website.

To submit your photography, email goabroad@andrew.cmu.edu. 

Please note: By submitting photos and stories to goabroad@andrew.cmu.edu, the student agrees that OIE may use the material in electronic and print publications, credited to the student’s name.

Student Interviews

OIE collects interviews from returned study abroad students who wish to tell stories about their time abroad and share experiences and advice. To participate in an interview, email goabroad@andrew.cmu.edu.

The E-Peer Advisory is a list of students who advise others on what it is like to study abroad. The list includes student names, email addresses, majors, and locations of study. Our hope is that prospective study abroad participants will contact e-peer advisors via email with questions concerning the study abroad country, program, or about going abroad in a specific major.

To be included on the e-peer advisory email with your name, email address, major, and location of abroad experience.

Welcome Back Programming 

We welcome our students back from study abroad and hope that their experiences abroad have inspired them in significant ways. The study abroad staff have developed a series of programmatic initiatives designed to make the most of a students' experiences abroad, assist in the re-entry process and give students the tools to be successful as a global leader at Carnegie Mellon. We hope that students will participate in many of the programmatic initiatives we have planned:

  • Welcome Back Reception: This reception is a celebration of our students' experiences abroad and a welcome back to our global campus community. New exchange students are also invited to this interactive and fun event. Refreshments will be provided - don't miss it!
  • Women Abroad Lunch: This informal lunch discussion is designed for returned and prospective study abroad students to address issues specific to women abroad.
  • Study Abroad Photo Contest, Gallery Show and Reception: Each spring semester returned study abroad students are encouraged to submit photos for our annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. All photographs are displayed in the Cohon University Center during Spring Carnival and OIE hosts a reception during the show. Returned students are highly encouraged to submit photos and attend this visually dynamic gallery show and reception.

View the Study Abroad Calendar for dates.

Study Abroad Presentations

Returned study abroad participants are invaluable resources when we talk about study abroad and as we prepare others to go abroad.  We are always looking for students to participate in panel discussions, residence hall programs and other study abroad events.  Not only do prospective study abroad participants learn from other’s experiences abroad, but talking about their experiences abroad allows for returned students to bring their abroad experience home and continue to share. Please email if you would be willing to participate in an educational program opportunity.

Departmental Presentations

Many academic departments offer opportunities to students to share their study abroad experiences as part of departmental programming or as a unique perspective on the academic subject.  Students should talk with their academic advisors or departmental contacts about specific projects and opportunities.

Returned study abroad students graduating from Carnegie Mellon can order a special Commencement sash representing their time abroad. Students may order a sash unique to their country of study, or a general "transglobal" sash. 

To obtain your sash: