Webster University: Accepted Students

Congratulations on your acceptance into Webster University's Study Abroad programs. The information on this page will help you prepare for your study abroad experience.

Before you begin reading through our site-specific information, we recommend that you read through some helpful tips, as well as suggestions on travel from the Department of State. Here is the link: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/

Study Abroad Video Contest

The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) is launching an exciting new Video Contest. The Contest will run every semester, and is a fun competition that we hope will help students share their experiences with others. Prizes include a gift card, and publication of your video on the Study Abroad Web site. Follow the link for details on how to enter:

Study Abroad Video Contest

Study Abroad Orientation

Pre-departure Orientation

Orientation is mandatory for all Webster St. Louis students and will last approximately two hours. This program introduces students to useful information on adjusting to a new environment, as well as practical information on health and safety matters abroad. You will attend a general session for the first hour and then move to campus-specific sessions for the second hour where you will have the chance to meet with study abroad alumni who have studied at the campus you will be attending. During the campus-specific sessions with study abroad alumni, parents will have the opportunity to attend an open question session with OSA staff. You will receive a notice from the OSA regarding the date and time of the orientation. Students can bring up to two guests.

All visiting students are mailed the same pre-departure materials, which include country-specific information as well as materials on health and safety matters abroad. Visiting students are also invited to attend the pre-departure programs if they are in the metro St. Louis area.

On-site Orientation

Once overseas, all students take part in an on-site orientation program. Among other things, students are introduced to their local surroundings and given thorough information on how to contact a Webster staff member in the event of an emergency. Health and safety issues are discussed throughout the program.

Study Abroad Program Handbooks (PDFs)

Kansai University Exchange

Japan

Health and Safety

All study abroad students are provided basic accident and sickness coverage while abroad on a Webster study abroad program through HTH Worldwide Insurance. This coverage provides for all or some costs related to accident and sickness, medical evacuation, repatriation, and new prescriptions.

In addition, students enjoy a 24-hour medical assistance service and coverage throughout the world.To download information on how to file a claim, and for more resources and global health information, please visit http://www.hthstudents.com.

For specifics on the policy you will receive when you study abroad, please download the following information:

Forms

Webster students need to submit a variety of forms to the Office of Study Abroad during their scheduled pre-acceptance meeting with their study abroad advisor. Non-Webster students will receive specific instructions from their study abroad advisor regarding paperwork after their application has been submitted to the Office of Study Abroad.

Forms Required for All Programs:

Campus-Specific Forms

After acceptance into the program, you will receive more information from the study abroad advisor about the forms listed below:

Vienna, Austria

London, England

Leiden, the Netherlands

Registration Form
Residency Permit Information
Arrival Form
Spring Housing Form

Geneva, Switzerland

Cha-Am/Bangkok, Thailand

Webster’s International Exchange Partners:

Beijing, China

BLCU Application
Arrival Form

Osaka, Japan

Guadalajara, Mexico

Guadalajara Application
Homestay Application
Arrival Form

Culture Shock

After you’ve completed your paperwork, and attended your pre-departure orientation, you are ready for your journey!! The Office of Study Abroad is a resource for helping you understand what to do and what types of things you can expect at our international campuses. One of the things to expect, once you arrive, is that you will be… shocked!

Culture shock is a real phenomenon. It is “the state of being overwhelmed by the differences in customs and behavior in a foreign place.” As you experience many unique opportunities and challenges, you will most likely pass through the four stages of culture shock. For many of you, however, this process will not be nearly as difficult as the shock of returning home after your study abroad experience.

We discuss this as “reverse culture shock,” and it is not nearly as widely discussed, but could be considered the fifth stage of culture shock. “In some cases, particularly where a person has adjusted exceptionally well to the host country, reverse culture shock may cause greater distress than the original culture shock.” (Kohls, Robert, Survival Kit For Overseas Living)

Upon returning from your Study Abroad experience, it is important to keep in touch with friends you have made overseas, as well as your friends and family back home. But, you will have changed! While many of these people won’t understand exactly what you are going through, they can help provide encouragement and support as you transition. Here are a few resources to help you understand and adjust to this experience:

What’s up with Culture re-entry, at http://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/
Reverse culture flyer from the University of California, Davis at http://caps.ucdavis.edu/resources/brochures/Reverse_Culture_Shock-reversed.pdf
Glimpse Magazine (student traveler branch of National Geographic), poster on “what not to do after studying abroad,” at http://glimpse.org/stories/view/top-5-things-not-to-do-after-returning-from-abroad/. Some other fun stories available.
Students Abroad Handbook at http://www.studentsabroad.com/reentrycultureshock.html