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On Thursday, 17 September 2026, ICES hosted its Welcome Back event, dedicated to students returning from an international exchange.
Why this event?
Every year, several hundred ICES students spend a semester abroad, studying at one of the university’s 160 partner institutions worldwide or undertaking an internship.
The Welcome Back event was launched by the International Relations Office in Spring 2026 to support students as they return to France. While this transition may seem straightforward, it can present unexpected challenges for students returning from an international experience.
More Than a Return: A New Beginning
Returning home is often seen as the easiest part of the journey: you simply come home and pick up where you left off. Yet this overlooks the many ways we change during our time abroad, from developing new habits and adapting to different cultural norms to becoming more independent from our families and the beliefs we grew up with.
These changes can lead to what is known as Reverse Culture Shock. Recognising that this is an often-unexpected aspect of international mobility, ICES decided to raise students’ awareness of the phenomenon and help them navigate the transition back home.
Following positive feedback from students who attended the first session, held on a smaller scale in January 2026, the International Relations Office expanded the initiative, welcoming more than 150 students to this latest event.
The programme introduced students to the concept of reverse culture shock and featured first-hand accounts from students who had experienced it upon returning home. Participants were then given practical advice on how to manage the challenges it can pose in both their academic and personal lives.
The event concluded with refreshments, providing an informal opportunity for students to share their experiences with one another and exchange thoughts with the International Relations Office.
