Below you will find a checklist of things you will need to do before you return home. To print the entire list, you will need to print pages 1-2 of this web page. Underneath the checklist, you will find more information and instructions about topics from this list, such as validating diplomas and transcripts and shipping your belongings, as well as helpful articles on readjusting to your home country.
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Returning to your home country may be more challenging than you imagine, and
you will most likely have some difficulties readapting to your own culture.
Your country and your perceptions of it will have changed. You will also have
changed through the experiences you have had in your host country. You may experience
reverse culture shock upon your return home. Because most people expect the
transition home to be an easy and natural one, the unexpected experience of
reverse culture shock can be even more difficult to handle than the initial
adjustment to your host country.
We strongly urge you to read the articles on reentry listed below. To open
and print these documents, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
If your computer does not have a copy of the program, you may download a free
copy by clicking on the "Get Acrobat Reader" icon below:
Since some of the articles describe steps you can take throughout your program
to lessen the effect of reverse culture shock, we suggest that you read them
at both the start and end of your program.
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Please see the Frequently Requested Information section for useful contacts for shipping belongings or fowarding your mail.
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Important!
Check with your home country's embassy or consulate to find out whether
there are steps you must follow to ship belongings home or any customs
regulations that may affect you upon your reentry. Often students are
not required to pay duties on items purchased during a course of study.
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Please note that expenses related to shipping items home are not covered by your grant.
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 Final Transcripts
- Please request that a final cumulative transcript, including verification
of the degree you have been awarded, be sent to LASPAU upon your graduation.
- If your degree will not be posted on your transcript until after your scheduled
departure, request that your department send an official letter to LASPAU,
verifying that you have completed all requirements for graduation.
- You will also want to make sure that you obtain an official copy of your
final cumulative transcript for yourself.
Validating Diplomas and Transcripts
Some Latin American and Caribbean countries will not accept a foreign diploma
unless it is validated by that country's consulate in the host country. Check
with both your home institution (if applicable) and your consulate to find out
whether or not you need consular validation. Start checking early because, if
you are unable to validate your diploma or transcript before leaving your host
country, you must make logistical and financial arrangements for someone else
to obtain this validation for you. LASPAU is unable to assist with this process
but will be pleased to forward your notarized diploma to your program sponsor.
When validating diplomas and transcripts:
- Make sure all relevant names are legible.
- If you need a translation of your transcript, validate the translation
as well.
- Keep extra copies of all documents for your records.
- Include a self-addressed, prepaid (stamped) envelope in your mailing to
the consulate.
- Send a check or money order for the exact amount of all fees.
- Always use registered or certified mail.
- If you have any questions, contact the consulate directly.
- If you have to leave your host country before you have finished the process:
- Leave someone in charge of carrying out the steps for you. LASPAU does
not carry out the certification process.
- Be ready to make the appropriate payment for the validation expenses.
Many places will not accept a personal check, so it is your responsibility
to find out this information and leave other forms of payment if necessary.
- Provide the registrar at your university with the address of the person
you have placed in charge. (Otherwise, the documents might be mailed directly
to you without validation.)
Additional Course Materials
It is important to be able
to clarify any doubts your institution, a ministry, or a review board may have
about the courses you took during your exchange program. Your verbal statement
about a course's contents will almost never suffice. The basic rule for facilitating
credit and degree transfer from one country to another is: You can never take
too much information with you.
In addition to your validated
degree and certified transcript, you may find it useful to bring home a complete
and updated copy of your university's catalog, including:
- Course numbers and
an explanation of your university's course number system
- Credits awarded for
each course and an explanation of your university's course credit system
- Descriptions of your
major and minor programs, including all required courses
You should also keep the
syllabus for each course you have taken. This should include subjects covered,
number of papers, and exams.
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Please remember that, regardless
of your employment situation, your immigration status in your host country most
likely requires you to return to your home country as soon as you finish your
studies. Please consult the international student advisor at your host institution
for the exact date on which you will be required to leave your host country.
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