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| News | Business | Feature | Opinion |
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Wednesday, December 2, 1998
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Book wishes U.S.-educated students happy returns By Dennis Moran Every year, thousands of Central European students go West for university or postgraduate study -- but what happens when they come back? Presumably, their education gives them a solid leg up on a good job back home -- providing they have the resources to find the right company. They also may be experiencing some unexpected reverse culture shock at returning. The Institute of International Education (IIE) has published a book, Returning to Central Europe 1998, to address those concerns and to help play matchmaker between returning students and companies seeking their skills. IIE is preparing the next edition of the book, said Therese Buchmeier, manager of corporate and special programs at IIE's East Central Europe regional office in Budapest. Most of the book can be viewed at the Web site, Copies of the book are sent free to Central European students -- from the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary -- who have been studying in United States, Buchmeier said. They also are distributed in the region, through education advisory centers, university libraries and other sites, she said. While there are many programs that place students in programs abroad, and see to their well-being while overseas, there aren't many that help them make the most of the experience afterward, Buchmeier said. An exception is the Fulbright program, which has an alumni program, she said. "There are not very many follow-up programs for exchange students," Buchmeier said. IIE, a nonprofit entity based in the United States, is seeking companies to be listed or profiled in the next edition, she said. Information in the profiles includes description of requirements, opportunities, salaries and more. The book is self-funding, and there is a charge for companies to be listed or profiled, Buchmeier said. The book also has essays on such topics as job-search and career-search strategies, resume writing, entrepreneurship and readjusting to the home country. Many students experience frustrations with the last element, especially since the home country in Central Europe may have changed a lot even in the year or few years abroad. "They could be coming back to a different country, almost," Buchmeier said.
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