While Abroad
While you are abroad, most of your support will come from staff at your host campus. Your host campus has support staff that can answer questions about your courses, housing, travelling locally, seeing a doctor or counselor, etc... Take advantage of the resources you have locally. However, even though your host campus can provide these services, don’t hesitate to stay in touch or reach out if you need assistance.
Using Your Insurance While Abroad
All study abroad students have GeoBlue insurance coverage outside of the United States. GeoBlue provides 24-hour medical assistance and can direct you to the closest English-speaking doctor. Find full details in the GeoBlue Member Guide.
Things to Remember
It is easy to become fully engaged in the present while studying abroad, which we absolutely encourage, but don’t completely forget about the next semester. Depending on the term you are abroad, you may need to register for classes or sign up for housing while abroad. Course registration for Fall generally opens in April while course registration for Spring generally opens in November. WEBG students studying abroad in the Fall should apply for Spring housing right after Fall Break in October. WEBG students studying abroad in the Spring can begin applying for Fall housing in November but should anticipate participating in the Room Selection process with their selected roommates, if applicable. Make sure you continue to regularly check your Webster email while abroad.
Voting Abroad
Did you know that it’s easy to vote while abroad? All it takes is some advanced planning and following the steps outlined below. Webster wants you to be able to participate in upcoming elections while outside the US. It is critical that you have a chance to engage in this important civic duty and college students make up a key population of today’s voters. We hope the information below will help get you started.
The steps listed below are for US citizens, either students studying abroad from a US campus or full degree students at Webster international campuses.
Step 1- Determine Where or If You Are Registered to Vote
The first place to start is registering in your home state or state of residence for college. You can vote in either location (if different), but can only choose one state to vote in. If you are not sure if you are already registered to vote, visit www.nass.org/can-i-vote.
Step 2- Familiarize Yourself with Your State’s Voting Policies
Every state has slightly different voting forms and processes. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) offers helpful state specific information on their web site https://www.fvap.gov/links. We recommend you do some basic research on your state as a starting point.
Step 3- Complete the Federal Post Card Application
The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a form you can use to register to vote and request absentee ballots for the year. Many states allow you to submit your FPCA electronically and all allow submissions through the mail. You should start this process as soon as possible.
Step 4- Receive, Complete and Submit Your Ballot
You’ll receive your ballot around 45 days prior to election day, either by mail or electronically, based on how you requested it.
Keep in mind that if you are doing an electronic ballet, each state has its own way of accepting the ballot, so be sure to follow the instructions provided.
If you are doing a hard copy ballot, remember to mail it back as soon as you can and take into consideration international postal delays.
If you do not receive your ballot at least 30 days before the election officials to ask for an update. You can find their contact information on FVAP’s Voter Registration and Ballots web page https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact.
Step 5- You’re Done!
Great job! You have engaged in an important civic duty-voting- and can feel good about this accomplishment! Congratulations from the whole Webster community!
Additionally, students studying at one of Webster’s international campuses will find that the campuses invite representatives from local organizations focusing on voter engagement and US political parties to campus. These organizations are available to answer questions about voting while abroad and can help students register to vote.
11 Ways to Maximize Your Study Abroad Experience
Using Your Insurance While Abroad
All study abroad students have GeoBlue insurance coverage outside of the United States. GeoBlue provides 24-hour medical assistance and can direct you to the closest English-speaking doctor. Find full details in the GeoBlue Member Guide.
Things to Remember
It is easy to become fully engaged in the present while studying abroad, which we absolutely encourage, but don’t completely forget about the next semester. Depending on the term you are abroad, you may need to register for classes or sign up for housing while abroad. Course registration for Fall generally opens in April while course registration for Spring generally opens in November. WEBG students studying abroad in the Fall should apply for Spring housing right after Fall Break in October. WEBG students studying abroad in the Spring can begin applying for Fall housing in November but should anticipate participating in the Room Selection process with their selected roommates, if applicable. Make sure you continue to regularly check your Webster email while abroad.
Voting Abroad
Did you know that it’s easy to vote while abroad? All it takes is some advanced planning and following the steps outlined below. Webster wants you to be able to participate in upcoming elections while outside the US. It is critical that you have a chance to engage in this important civic duty and college students make up a key population of today’s voters. We hope the information below will help get you started.
The steps listed below are for US citizens, either students studying abroad from a US campus or full degree students at Webster international campuses.
Step 1- Determine Where or If You Are Registered to Vote
The first place to start is registering in your home state or state of residence for college. You can vote in either location (if different), but can only choose one state to vote in. If you are not sure if you are already registered to vote, visit www.nass.org/can-i-vote.
Step 2- Familiarize Yourself with Your State’s Voting Policies
Every state has slightly different voting forms and processes. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) offers helpful state specific information on their web site https://www.fvap.gov/links. We recommend you do some basic research on your state as a starting point.
Step 3- Complete the Federal Post Card Application
The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a form you can use to register to vote and request absentee ballots for the year. Many states allow you to submit your FPCA electronically and all allow submissions through the mail. You should start this process as soon as possible.
Here are the steps for completing a FPCA form:
1. Visit the FVAP Voter Registration and Ballots web page https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter to select your state.
2. Take note of the voting deadlines for your state.
3. Use the FPCA Online Assistant to fill out your form. The Online Assistant will guide you through the process of completing the form. Once you complete the form, you will be able to download and print the PDF package to sign and send to your election office.
4. Make sure you put in your address abroad for the Mailing Address portion of the form. If you do not have the address for your study abroad program, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.
2. Take note of the voting deadlines for your state.
3. Use the FPCA Online Assistant to fill out your form. The Online Assistant will guide you through the process of completing the form. Once you complete the form, you will be able to download and print the PDF package to sign and send to your election office.
4. Make sure you put in your address abroad for the Mailing Address portion of the form. If you do not have the address for your study abroad program, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.
Step 4- Receive, Complete and Submit Your Ballot
You’ll receive your ballot around 45 days prior to election day, either by mail or electronically, based on how you requested it.
Keep in mind that if you are doing an electronic ballet, each state has its own way of accepting the ballot, so be sure to follow the instructions provided.
If you are doing a hard copy ballot, remember to mail it back as soon as you can and take into consideration international postal delays.
If you do not receive your ballot at least 30 days before the election officials to ask for an update. You can find their contact information on FVAP’s Voter Registration and Ballots web page https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact.
Step 5- You’re Done!
Great job! You have engaged in an important civic duty-voting- and can feel good about this accomplishment! Congratulations from the whole Webster community!
Additionally, students studying at one of Webster’s international campuses will find that the campuses invite representatives from local organizations focusing on voter engagement and US political parties to campus. These organizations are available to answer questions about voting while abroad and can help students register to vote.
11 Ways to Maximize Your Study Abroad Experience
- Create goals for yourself. What do you hope to get out of this experience? Write out some clear, attainable goals that you hope to achieve while abroad. Keep track of these during your journey and see how much you grow!
- Keep a journal. This will allow you some time for reflection and will help you process your experience abroad. It also is a good way to record your study abroad memories.
- Interact with the locals. It may be very tempting to stay within your bubble of American students - or even with other international students - but it’s important to move outside of your comfort zone! Making friends with local students gives you an opportunity to really experience a culture in a way that most outsiders cannot. You can also forge friendships with people that you can visit later in life if you ever travel back to their country!
- Explore your city. Walking through the city or town you are staying in is a great way to see new areas and experience more than just the commute from your dorm to your classes. Go to a park you have never been to, visit the historic district, ride the subway to the end of the line! Make an effort to see new things within this new city.
- Go on an excursion. School sanctioned trips to local museums or cultural heritage sites are great opportunities to spend time with your peers and learn more about the country you are visiting.
- Plan a movie night with a film from that country or a cultural potluck of different dishes from that country are great ways to bond over new experiences.
- Travel. Exploring can even go beyond your new city or town. Plan a day, weekend, or longer trip with some friends and expand your horizons even further! This is one of the best parts of studying abroad.
- Try to learn the language. If you’re studying in a country with a native language other than English, you should try to pick up some of the native language. Language is a gateway to culture, and knowing the language allows for a deeper understanding of the culture.
- Make academics a priority. Academics should not be forgotten while abroad! Make sure you’re staying on track and on top of your schoolwork. There may be differences in instruction, so expect some growing pains and ask for help if needed.
- Revisit your goals halfway into the experience. Are you achieving the goals you set for yourself? If not, take some time to prioritize and ask yourself how you can reach those goals. Ask your local study abroad coordinator for ideas/assistance if needed.
- Stay connected with the Office of Study Abroad. We are always here as a resource and want to see you succeed!