Communication While Abroad
As college student in the U.S., you are probably used to 24/7 contact with others whether it be through email, cell phones, instant messaging or Facebook. But while these forms of instant communication are invaluable, staying in touch with home can have an unexpected negative effect on your ability to become fully immersed in your host culture. Consider resisting the temptation to spend so much time on email or AIM while you are away. Test your boundaries until you find a good balance between staying in touch with friends and family back home and having enough time away from a computer or cell phone to ensure you are getting the most out of your time away.
You may want to have a plan in mind before you leave of how you will stay in touch with friends and family back home. Contact your program to find out what your possibilities are likely to be. Your program will have the best advice on which of the following are realistic:
Calling cards: Consider using international calling cards. These are fairly easy to obtain and offer you a great way to keep in touch if you are not near a computer. Rates vary depending on if you are calling a landline or a cell phone (with the later being more expensive) so keep that in mind while communicating back home.
Skype: Skype is an international messaging and calling web site that allows you to "call" from one computer to another for free (so long as both computers are utilizing the Skype program). Help your parents set up a Skype account before you leave and arrange a time to talk on Skype via email once or twice a month. “Let’s Skype Saturday” may become a familiar phrase to you while abroad.
Cell Phones: Your cell phone company here in the states might have an international plan available. Be sure to talk to your provider about calling rates however, which can range greatly depending on where you are in the world. You may want consider purchasing a cell phone in your host country after arriving. Having a local cell phone will help you to stay in touch with local friends and study partners you meet in a hassle-free way. Your program can offer advice on what companies are good, cheap, and accessible to you. A few programs actually provide cell phones to all students.