Staying in Touch
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- Staying in Touch
Communicating with your family and friends is an important part of a successful study abroad experience. You must evaluate what method is best for you.
Check with your mobile phone carrier to find out if they offer international calling and the costs associated with using your phone abroad. You can use phone cards or install a new SIM card in some phones, or purchasing a pre-paid phone in-country may be less expensive. Contact the affiliate or your faculty director for advice on the best method for phone or texting services in your host country and the location of the most convenient internet cafes. Know your country code, so loved ones can call you successfully.
Many students find it most useful to use free texting services, such as iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.
Phones
- How to Use Your Cell Phone Abroad - deciding if you should buy a new phone, a new SIM card, or use your U.S. phone
- Using your Cell Phone in Europe
- Smartphones, data plans, SIM cards in Europe
- eSIM card for iPhone- a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM
- Country Codes - codes to dial other countries
For Computer Use with WiFi
- Google Hangouts - free online group video chats
- Skype - free video chats or pay for calling to phone numbers
Smartphone Apps For Use with WiFi
- Skype - free video chats, pay for calling to phone numbers, send texts through Skype
- WhatsApp - simple, free online texting
- Facebook Messenger - use your Facebook account
- Viber - free calls, texts, and photo sharing
Digital Security
- Cyber Safety While Traveling - steps to take to make sure your digital data stays safe while traveling abroad