Post-Secondary to Home Transitions

Welcome to the Post-Secondary to Home Transitions page for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students.  The information provided here will help you to understand some of the strategies that work for this particular transition.

A video resource is also provided below!

Best Practices for Post-Secondary to Home Transitions

Often, First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students experience various forms of “culture shock” throughout their lives. Culture shock refers to feelings of “being out of place”, “not fitting in” or “disorientation”. People experience culture shock when they leave their communities and go to another location for school. Culture shock can also be experienced when a student returns to a home community after being away for a period of time. Here are some strategies for helping FNMI students make the transition back home:

  • Contact with support network at home to inform of potential “culture shock”
  • Assist students with developing a plan to return home (living arrangements, supports, financial, social, cultural)
  • Arrange a “welcome home” event for students
  • Debriefing sessions with students
  • Creation of support groups (live and online) for students returning home
  • Connections with Elders and cultural resource people
  • Partner student with Health, Wellness, Educational and Social resources at home

For a specific perspective on this particular transition, go back to the HOMEPAGE and select one of the following: Education Counsellors, Students, Parents/Guardians, Other Professionals or Communities.   There you will also find a list of web resources specifically tailored for that group.