Bulldog Nation Spans the Globe
Runnin’ Bulldogs start in lots of places — and we’re proud that Gardner-Webb’s backyard is the world.
With 1,650 undergraduate students representing 45 U.S. states and 29 countries, our campus is a vibrant part of the global community. At Gardner-Webb University, we recognize that beginning your journey in a new country—learning English, adjusting to American culture, and excelling academically—is both exciting and challenging. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Through our Office of Campus Unity & Connection, we connect you with faculty, staff, and local culture, offering a strong support system designed to help you thrive. We are committed to providing the best possible academic and cultural experience for every student, no matter where you call home.
Below, you’ll find helpful resources and tools to guide your transition to life as a Runnin’ Bulldog.
The student-led International Club accomplishes much through their promotion of campus activities. By participating in key educational and cultural opportunities, international students can gain much during their studies at GWU.
All accepted international students attending Gardner-Webb University are required to have valid health insurance coverage in the United States. This requirement applies to both undergraduate and graduate students, including those living on campus and commuting.
Students must provide proof of health insurance to the Office of Campus Unity and Connections. If proof of coverage is not submitted by the end of the add/drop period, the student will be automatically enrolled in a policy through 1st Agency Health Insurance and billed accordingly. Additionally, failure to provide proof of insurance may result in the student’s class schedule being dropped and on-campus privileges revoked.
To view the recommended insurance plan, please click the link below. Also, be sure to complete and submit your immunization form before arriving on campus.
If you need coverage, you can enroll in a policy using this link.
In order to re-enter the United States as a valid F-1 student, you will need:
A SSN is available and required only for those who will work in the U.S. and get paid. F-1 students may apply for a (SSN) if they are authorized for employment or have an on-campus job offer. You will need an on-campus employment letter to verify your eligibility. Bring your employment letter to the Office of Campus Unity & Connection, so that you can obtain a letter of verification necessary to the application process. You must apply in person at the Social Security Office, and it takes approximately two weeks for the number to be issued and mailed to you. F-2 dependents may not obtain a Social Security number because they are not eligible for employment.
Documents to take with you to the Social Security Office:
If you desire to obtain your North Carolina Driver’s License while attending GWU, there are very clear steps to follow, including studying the Driver’s Handbook, gathering the required identification paperwork, and successfully completing the exam.
For international students who have been enrolled full-time at GWU for one full academic year, or graduate students whose program requires immediate CT for all students, Curricular Practicum Training (CPT) may be a valuable opportunity to gain work experience while in the United States. Specifically, the regulation states that F-1 students studying at an SEVP-approved “college, university, conservatory, or seminary” may be eligible to seek authorization for practical training to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience directly related to their field of study.
It is important to understand the requirements that govern this valuable program for F-1 students. The regulations state that a student may participate in a “curricular practical training program” that is “an integral part of an established curriculum” and “directly related to the student’s major area of study.” They define curricular practical training as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
A good general principle is to approach CPT primarily from the curricular perspective, and only secondarily from the employment perspective. That is to say, the school’s curriculum, not the student’s desire for employment, should drive CPT policy development. CPT policies and procedures should be clearly established and then followed consistently.
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