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Quick introduction to creating a Study Abroad Outreach program. 

Study Abroad Outreach Plan

The Goal: To capitalise on the get out the vote among the 330,000 Americans who study abroad each year.

Phase 1: Research and identify Study Abroad programs

American students study abroad through a variety of methods:

  • Programs organized directly through their US university, like NYU Abroad (https://www.nyu.edu/academics/studying-abroad.html).

  • Third party organizations like CEA Study Abroad (https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/) or API Study Abroad (https://www.apistudyabroad.com/), which create study abroad academic programs and coordinate with/offer their programs to hundreds of US Universities.

  • International Universities recruiting American students directly or American students organizing their own Study Abroad experience; these are often longer, degree-granting programs.

Step 1: Locate programs and institutions where American students are studying abroad

Step 2: Identify the name and contact information for a local staff member who may be willing to facilitate communication with students.

Step 3: Document programs and contacts in the Study Abroad Program Map

Research Tools:

Phase 2: Outreach to Study Abroad Programs

Reach out to Study Abroad program contacts to explain that American students can vote in the 2020 elections while Studying Abroad; introduce them to Votefromabroad.org and the resources available through DA volunteers.

Step 1: Identify who is best to reach out to each contact. Is it you? Does a DA member have personal connection? A current student or staff member who belongs to DA?

Step 2: Email or call Study Abroad contacts. Introduce yourself, Votefromabroad.org and the resources available to help students register to vote. If you are reaching out to programs that have previously expressed concern about VfA being paid for by DA, use the phrase:  VfA is a PUBLIC SERVICE provided to all US citizens living abroad by the DPCA.  Also note that the new version for 2020 (students.votefromabroad.org) no longer asks the question about joining DA.  Example texts and scripts are available on the DA Wiki https://wiki.democratsabroad.org/display/StudyAbroad

Strategies that work:

  • Send a short introduction email with a request to schedule a phone call. A scheduled call will allow the staff member to give you their full attention.

  • Phone calls! Emails are easy to ignore. If you don’t receive a response to your email, pick up the phone and call!

  • Stop by their office. This is particularly useful with University employees. Recruit fellow DA members who are students or staff to help.

Step 3: Make a plan to work with interested staff members. Identify what materials they need and when. Schedule follow-up during election season!

Step 4: Update the Study Abroad Map with the results of your outreach. Remove all incorrect contact information. Mark yourself as the ‘DA Contact’ and update the ‘Status.’ Document follow-up plan.

Tools: https://wiki.democratsabroad.org/display/StudyAbroad - sample scripts, emails and letters to help with outreach

Phase 3: Register Students to Vote!

Create a communication plan with each coordinator and schedule when you will follow-up with resources and materials. Each program will want to communication differently with their students. Offer all our Vote from Abroad resources and let the coordinator identify which they’d like to use. Follow-up regularly with new information, materials, etc.

Step 1: Provide Vote from Abroad materials to programs–send posters and email blasts to send to students in advance of the scheduled drive.  Be sure the comms remain non-partisan.

Step 2: Email or call Study Abroad contacts. Introduce yourself, Votefromabroad.org and the resources available to help students register to vote. Example texts and scripts are available on the DA Wiki https://wiki.democratsabroad.org/display/StudyAbroad

2020 Study Abroad Communication Schedule:

March/April/May:

       •Home univeristy staff targeted to include Vote from Abroad as a "best practices' for communication and promoting civic engagement for students

July/August:

  • Vote from Abroad materials in student orientation packets and communications (emails, newsletters, social media, etc.)

  • Vote from Abroad posters and flyers in staff offices and student common areas

September:

  • Email, newsletter, social media reminders to register to vote

  • On-campus Voter Registration Event

   October:

  • Email, newsletter, social media reminders to complete and submit ballot

  • Information about the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot


Questions? Contact Study Abroad Outreach Team Lead Linda Adeson at studyabroad@votefromabroad.org


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