Using Email from Abroad

Before you leave for your trip abroad:

  1. Setup a password secret question and answer in case you forget your password.
    1. Go to and log in with your NetID and password.
    2. Click "Change Forgotten Password Information".
    3. Specify questions and answers as prompted.
  2. Make sure you remember your password.

Check your student Gmail account while you are abroad:

  • Use the student Gmail web interface to email available at
  • Or, forward your student Gmail account to another account:
    • Access your student Gmail account using your NetID/password combination at .
    • In the upper right corner of your account page click the "Settings" link.
    • You will see a tab called "Forwarding and POP/IMAP".
    • The first section of this tab provides forwarding options.

Do not forget your password!

If you plan on accessing your email account while you are studying abroad, do not forget your NetID and associated password for your account! If you forget your password, University IT WILL NOT reset your password over the phone.

If you forget your password AND you have already set a security question you can try to reset your password using your security question at http://www.rochester.edu/its/netid. Click "Forgot my password" then click the link for "Reset your password".

If you have an @mail.rochester.edu account choose the second option listed. If you do not have an @mail.rochester.edu account choose the third option listed.

You will be asked for your username/NetID and your 8 digit student URID#. Once you add in the information and click submit your security question will appear. You will need to answer the question exactly as you did when you originally set up the question/answer.

If this fails you must fill out a "Long Distance Password Reset Request" form and send University IT proper identification by mail or fax to get your password reset.

Using the "vacation responder" option in student Gmail:

The "vacation responder" option allows you to notify people that you are studying abroad. It will automatically reply to any email message you receive directly and notify the sender that you are not reading your email. The vacation responder option will still save all of the email you receive in your account so that you can read it when you return. To set the "vacation responder" option on your student Gmail account please go to

  1. Access your student Gmail account using your NetID/password combination.
  2. In the upper right corner of your account page click the "Settings" link.
  3. On the General tab there is an option called Vacation Responder.
  4. Set the option to "on" and complete the subject/message criteria.
  5. To find out more about this option click the "Learn more" link located in the option box.

When you return from your study abroad experience you will need to go back to the vacation responder option in your student Gmail account settings page to disable the vacation messages from going out to users sending to your student Gmail account.

If you can not check your email while abroad:

  • UNSUBSCRIBE from any mailing lists that you may belong to so that your inbox does not fill up while you are away.
  • DO NOT tell anyone your password or allow them to read your email while you are away.
  • Set the "vacation responder" option before you leave to send an automatic reply to any email you receive, letting the sender know that you are away from your email. Provide an alternative contact in your vacation responder message for emergency communication purposes. See above for more details.

A few final words about email:

  • NEVER give anyone your PASSWORD, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, or any other important personal identifying information about you through email. Email is a very insecure medium for transferring this information.
  • The Systems Administrator and UNIX Consultants will NEVER ask you for your password or social security number.
  • Review University IT policies and procedures before going abroad so you can make sure you understand how to get help if you need it.

If you have any questions or problems while you are away, please send them to: UnivITHelp@rochester.edu or .