Once you have returned from your Study Abroad program, your journey doesn’t have to end! The many study abroad offices on campus offer a variety of ways to get involved with the campus study abroad community, whether it be volunteering at events or sharing your experience with the next cohort of Illini abroad.
College of ACES
The ACES Study Abroad office’s Global Ambassador Program tasks returnees with representing the college at orientations and fairs. Ambassadors also hold weekly peer advising hours, create social media content documenting their overseas experiences, and organize cultural and welcome events for incoming international exchange students.
College of LAS
LAS International Programs welcomes you back as a leader and mentor by inviting you to take part in pre-departure training for the next group of travelers. As a returnee, you’ll have the opportunity to share your real experiences, offer practical, country-specific advice, and help new students feel more prepared and confident. You can also apply to become a Global Peer Ambassador, a buddy program where you’ll be paired with an incoming exchange student to help them adjust, build connections, and feel at home. Through our “Student Voices” and “Wanderlust Wednesday” initiatives, you can also reflect on how your time abroad shaped your academic journey and future goals.
To celebrate your return and get involved, we invite you to join our Welcome Back event—connect with fellow returnees and our incoming cohort of exchange students, share your story, and inspire the next group of global explorers. Follow us on Instagram below to stay updated and get involved.
Gies College of Business
Gies Global relies on returnees through its Guides and Undergraduate Ambassador programs to serve as official college representatives. They host events like “Global Learner Coffee Chats,” sharing firsthand insights on the return on investment, accessibility, and daily life abroad to help prospective business students make informed decisions.
Grainger College of Engineering
International Programs in Engineering (IPENG) runs the Global Engineering Ambassadors (GEA) program, which empowers returned students to recruit peers by sharing their experiences at campus events. Ambassadors provide specialized peer advising to help prospective students fit study abroad into strict engineering curricula, and they mentor incoming international exchange students adjusting to the Illinois campus.
All Colleges
No matter what college or school you are in, if you studied abroad, you can still get involved! Please reach out to Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange (iage@illinois.edu) to learn about currently available opportunities.