We hope you’re enjoying your time abroad!
This page is for students who are currently on a program abroad. It includes information about what to do upon arrival, during your program and before you leave.
Who to contact while abroad
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency abroad, you should contact the following people, in the following order:
- Local emergency services: police/fire/ambulance
- On-site resident or program director, international office at your host university, or in-country contacts.
- International SOS: +1 215 942 8226 or via your app (24/7 assistance)
- UW Global Travel Health and Safety: travelemergency@uw.edu (for emergencies that are being handled), 001-206-632-0153 (for 24/7 emergency assistance)
Non-emergencies
For non-emergency situations, your main point of contact will depend on your program type and the situation.
- Faculty-led Programs – Faculty director or co-director or the UW Study Abroad program manager*
- Exchanges – International office at your host university or UW exchange program manager*
- Partner Programs – Local on-site program coordinator
*If you don’t know who your program manager is, check your program brochure in MyGlobal.
You can also always contact studyabroad@uw.edu if you are unsure who to contact.
Your program abroad
Upon Arrival
- Let your friends & family know you’ve arrived safely!
- Find a bank ATM and withdraw some cash so you have it on hand.
- Check into your housing and get acquainted with the local neighborhood.
- Attend orientation – check in with your program director, host university or partner provider.
- Learn about local resources (closest US embassy, emergency phone numbers, community resources etc.)
- Understand that culture shock is normal. You may feel anxious, alone and uncertain in a new country. Talk to local coordinators, friends, family or reach out to UW Study Abroad.
Throughout your program
- Continue to check your UW email address for any important information about your program – this is how UW Study Abroad will keep in touch.
- Keep up with administrative tasks:
- If your program requires (exchanges and partner programs), complete the “Your Credits Abroad” questionnaire in MyGlobal once you have finalized your classes abroad.
- Pay your program fees by the deadline. If you are on a program that lasts more than one term, ensure you meet payment deadlines each term.
- Review the Academics & Credits page’s While Abroad section.
- Enroll in classes for the following UW term – if you are returning to UW to take classes the next quarter, you will still have access to MyUW to register for classes for the next term while you are abroad.
- Save copies of your syllabi and/or other class documents that can assist in the credit conversion process.
- Remember to take care of your mental and physical health. We’ve provided some helpful resources below.
- tbd
- Book recommendation: Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World
- If you have any questions on your program, reach out to your program manager or studyabroad@uw.edu.
- Explore, learn and grow! Try to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people and get to know the the city, country and region you are living in. See what other students are doing in the sections below.
Before returning home
- Wrap up any loose ends such as closing bank accounts, moving out of housing, saying goodbye to friends.
- Sell or give away any items you don’t want to bring home. You can mail large items to your US address if you don’t want to keep them but not carry them on the plane.
- If required by your program, have a copy of your transcript sent to studyabroad@uw.edu to get started on the credit conversion process.
Student Stories
