ABSTRACT
Debriefing after a global health experience is as important as preparing to go abroad. For first-time global health participants, re-entry back home is underappreciated as a stressful part of the project. Global health debriefing requires two core components: debriefing with host participants and debriefing upon return home. Over the past decade, debriefing has been increasingly used by programs and projects to ensure feedback is provided to host organizations and to provide information for future participants in international projects. Debriefing is also used to ensure participants adjust and reintegrate back home, while minimizing reverse culture shock. Debriefing should provide support and counselling if the experience was negative, but should also excite, challenge and provide an opportunity to learn, if the experience was positive. Debriefing is an important component in reducing culture shock and requires time for reflection, especially after a bad experience.
