Questions
- How do I prepare my Bowdoin MacBook and iPad before studying abroad?
- What do I need to do with my Bowdoin-issued devices before I leave for study abroad?
- What should I set up on my laptop before going abroad?
- What happens if my Bowdoin MacBook breaks while I am abroad?
- Where can I get my MacBook or iPad repaired in another country?
- What do I do if my Bowdoin-issued device is lost or stolen while I am studying abroad?
- My laptop was stolen while I was abroad — what steps do I take?
- Will Bowdoin IT send me a loaner laptop while I am abroad?
- Can I get a replacement device while studying in another country?
- What happens when I return to Bowdoin after my device was lost or stolen abroad?
- Do I need a VPN to access Bowdoin resources from another country?
Environment
This article applies to Bowdoin students preparing to study abroad with a Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro (macOS Sequoia 15.x or newer) or iPad mini (current iPadOS). It covers device preparation before departure, Apple repair options abroad, and procedures for lost or stolen devices.
- Who: Bowdoin students studying abroad
- Devices: Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro and iPad mini
- Operating systems: macOS Sequoia (15.x) and newer; current iPadOS
Personal (non-Bowdoin) devices are not covered by this article.
Resolution
Prepare your devices before you leave
Complete all three steps below before departing for study abroad.
- Verify Find My is enabled on both your Bowdoin-issued MacBook and iPad. Find My (Apple's device location service) allows you to locate the device and put it in Lost Mode if it goes missing while you are abroad. See Enable Find My on Your Bowdoin Mac and iPad in the Related Articles section for setup instructions.
- Confirm Microsoft OneDrive Folder Backup is active. OneDrive automatically backs up your Desktop and Documents folders to Microsoft 365 cloud storage. If your device is lost or damaged, your files remain accessible from any device. See Turn on OneDrive Folder Backup in the Related Articles section for setup instructions.
- Install the GlobalProtect VPN if you will need access to Bowdoin campus resources — such as licensed software, library databases, or internal systems — while abroad. See Install GlobalProtect VPN on macOS in the Related Articles section.
Getting Apple repair support abroad
Apple has authorized repair centers and service providers in many countries. If your Bowdoin MacBook or iPad needs repair while you are abroad, you do not need to ship the device back to Bowdoin first.
See Getting Apple Support While Abroad in the Related Articles section for step-by-step guidance on what to do, who to notify, and how to locate an authorized Apple repair center in your area.
If your device is lost or stolen abroad
- Use Find My to locate your device and enable Lost Mode. Open Find My on another Apple device or sign in at iCloud.com, locate your device, and activate Lost Mode. Lost Mode locks the device, displays a custom message with your contact information, and enables a sound alert.
- Report the loss to local authorities. Contact the hotel, airline, transit company, police department, customs office, or any other applicable authority to file a report. Provide the Find My location information when you report.
Important: If the device was stolen, you must file a theft report in person in the country where the theft occurred. A copy of this official report is required before Bowdoin IT can issue a loaner device when you return to campus.
- Notify Bowdoin Information Technology (IT). Contact the Service Desk to open a ticket. You will be asked to upload a copy of the official lost or stolen report to your ticket. Bowdoin IT will create a record of the incident.
- Contact Information Technology at your host institution to ask whether a loaner laptop is available for the remainder of your program.
Note: Bowdoin IT cannot ship loaner devices internationally. A Bowdoin loaner is available only after you return to campus and have provided the required documentation.
When you return to Bowdoin
If your device was not recovered, Bowdoin IT can issue a semester-only loaner MacBook after you return to campus. Both of the following must be complete before a loaner is issued:
- A ticket was opened with Bowdoin IT while you were abroad, and
- A copy of the official lost or stolen report has been uploaded to that ticket.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources