Before you depart on your journey to Boston, make sure to complete the following steps.
Step 1: Academics
- Speak with your faculty advisor, or an advisor in CAS Student Services, to make sure the credits from this program will work for you.
- Enroll in Internship Course (CAS 2991) (9 credits) *
- Enroll in Academic Course 1 (CAS 1902) (3 credits) *
- Enroll in Academic Course 2 (2902) (3 credits) *
- Get in contact with SAS (Student Accessibility Services) to make sure any accommodation documentation is forwarded to Semester in the City as soon as possible.
- If you are an international student, please get in touch with OIE (Office of International Education) to obtain the proper visa permissions.
* Kelly Smith will send you an override for these courses.
Step 2: COVID Requirements
All students MUST be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in the Semester in the City Internship Program. This is a policy that is held both by UVM and by SITC. Students must abide by BOTH the UVM and SITC policies:
If you qualify for an exemption from the vaccine, you must request an exemption from BOTH UVM and SITC separately. If you have questions, please get in touch with Sophia Trigg.
Step 3: Internship
After you get matched with your internship through Semester in the City...
- Fill out the Internship Information Form
If you have any trouble or questions about the form, please contact Kelly Smith
Step 4: Housing
If you are signed up for a UVM dorm room during the semester you will be away, contact reslife@uvm.edu stating your intention to withdraw from student housing due to participation in a CAS-sponsored program. Please remember to CC Kelly Smith (ksmith52@uvm.edu) so that she can provide official documentation to ResLife!
Semester in the City will be in touch about housing (roommate selection, paying the housing fee, etc.) about 2 months prior to the start of the program.
Step 5: Health
- Make any arrangements for counseling services and/or prescription medications while in Boston. If you currently work with UVM CAPS, you will need to locate a counselor in Boston to work with while you are there. UVM's CAPS staff are only licensed to practice in the state of Vermont and can't work virtually with clients located in other states. Please get in touch with your CAPS team to see if they have any recommendations in the Boston area and, if you feel comfortable, reach out to SITC to see if they have any recommendations or resources for you.
- Make sure that your UVM health forms and immunizations are up-to-date and your emergency contacts are correct in MyUVM.
- If you are enrolling in UVM SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), you MUST contact the student health insurance office to coordinate a PCP while in Boston.
Step 6: Connect!
UVM Alumni based in Boston are interested in connecting with you! Have you heard of UVM Connect? This system bridges the network between students, alumni, and faculty of UVM. Join UVM Connect before you depart for Boston and build your network by reaching out and saying hello, or joining in on events that are happening in the area as you see them pop up on the forum!
Additional Information:
Travel:
Make your Flight Arrangements
Prior to purchasing your flight, make sure you have read arrival information from Semester in the City. You want to be sure to arrive during their suggested times, as it may impact your housing/transportation. UVM doesn’t recommend any specific travel websites, however www.statravel.com offers student discounted tickets. It is a good idea to start looking for airfares early, so that you can learn what its typical cost range is. This will allow you to recognize a good price when you see one, so that you can purchase it.
Make sure you are leaving enough time for any layovers. Planning to arrive at your final destination early in the day will leave room for flight delays and finding your way in the daylight. Do your research ahead of time about where you will need to go once you've arrived in Boston, and the best ways to get there.
Be sure to review TSA Guidelines and your specific airlines baggage requirements for all connecting flights.
Money & Voting:
Notify your financial institutions:
It is crucial to notify all of your banks and credit card companies prior to traveling for an extended period to avoid your card being frozen or disabled due to suspected fraud. It is also advised that you ask for the best practice if your card is lost/stolen, and their policy for getting a new card sent to you at a temporary address.
Prepare to vote while away:
If you are a US citizen, voting in US elections is your right and civic duty. You can still vote in all local, state, and national elections using an absentee ballot while in Boston. Make sure to follow the process for getting an absentee ballot mailed to you, and pay attention to the date you are required to return it via mail.
The voter registration and absentee ballot request processes are different depending on your state of residency. Typically UVM students who are US Citizens are allowed to register to vote in either Vermont or their home state. Please see here for additional information and resources for voting via absentee ballot.
Health:
Make a plan with your doctor:
Keep in mind that moving to a new city and experiencing a transition to a new environment, new culture, new food, etc. can exacerbate or uncover physical and mental illness. It is important to work with your health professionals to make a plan for dealing with your health.
- Before you depart, make sure you visit your doctors, dentists, and any other health care practitioners that you regularly see. During these visits, you should discuss any medical issues you have that may affect your experiences abroad.
- Make sure your health records are up to date and that you have copies of them that you can access if needed. This is particularly important if you have a medical condition or if you expect to need medical care in D.C.
Prescription Drugs:
If you are taking any prescription drugs with you, please visit your health care provider prior to departing to discuss transporting your medications.
- Ask your health care provider and insurance company for guidance on how to secure a sufficient supply of medication to last through your stay. Or, find out if you can transfer your prescription refills to a location in Boston for pickup.
- For safety reasons, it is best to carry your medication in their original, clearly labeled containers along with a copy of the original prescription while travelling.
- Always keep your medications in your carry-on bag.
- If you have a medical condition, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or other notification.
- Bring photocopies of your prescriptions- even a glasses/contact lens prescription.
If you have UVM student health insurance (UVM SHIP)...
If you are planning on enrolling in UVM SHIP (student health insurance) during the semester you are away, you MUST contact the student health insurance office to coordinate a new PCP (Primary Care Provider). Visit the UVM SHIP website for more information. Contact studentInsurance@uvm.edu with any questions.
