Despite being hundreds or even thousands of miles away from American soil, UW-Madison students studying abroad were still involved in Election Day Tuesday through absentee voting and keeping an eye on results from their host countries.
Junior Hannah Smith, who is currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, said she thought voting through an absentee ballot was quite simple and did not take her much time with the help of Democrats and Republicans abroad.
Being away from the United States during this election would appear to make students feel disconnected from the presidential race, but Smith said the atmosphere abroad is just as intense.
In Spaniards' opinion, the president of the United States is the most important person in the world, therefore, the outcome plays a major factor into not only the United States' future, but Spain's as well,"" he said.
The outcome of the election is crucial to other countries because of international policies and reform. In Smith's opinion, many Spaniards are more informed and involved in U.S. politics than most U.S. citizens.
Smith said she enjoyed being away during the election because she could make an informed decision about the president on her own.
Nick Johnson, a junior studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also said his host country was paying attention to the U.S. election. Unlike typical U.S. reporting of candidates, Johnson said he observed much more coverage of President-elect Barack Obama than opponent John McCain.
""Down here, they don't really know McCain's name. On all the magazines stands and stuff you see Obama's face,"" Johnson said. ""Everyone here is talking about 'Obama, Obama, Obama' and they only really know him.""
Both Smith and Johnson said they were checking up on poll results throughout the night through the Internet or international news channels.
