Katie McCoy, the Illinois Abroad marketing intern, writes:
Whilst overseas, you’ll inevitably want to update friends and family back home on your latest adventures. Your parents will want to hear about your breathtaking hikes and what you are learning. And you’ll want to tell your friends about the local rugby game you attended and the hip café you discovered in town. So, here are some ways to keep in contact with loved ones while you’re abroad.
Phone
Unless you buy a local SIM card with an international plan or organize an international plan with your home country’s cell provider, this method can rack up costs quickly. If you decide to bring your cell phone from home, talk to your provider before leaving and see what options they offer. I took my phone overseas with me and only used it for quick text messages to the States costing me 25 cents per text. Plus, it’s challenging to coordinate a time to talk to people back home when you’re in a vastly different time zone. When it’s daytime on the East Coast of the U.S., it’s nighttime in the South Pacific, so you’ll struggle to find a mutually convenient time to chat.
Total Cost: $$$
Internet & Email
Many accommodations on AUIP programs offer wireless Internet. Whilst in New Zealand, I only encountered one or two accommodations that didn’t offer it, so it was fairly easy to get connected. The WiFi usually was not free (it was in a few places!), but most of the accommodations used the same Internet provider, so I could purchase a 7-day or even month-long pass for a cost-effective option. If you decide not to take any WiFi-enabled electronics overseas, most of the accommodations provided public computers that could access the Internet for a set amount of time after you inserted money. Typically one or two dollars bought 15 minutes of Internet. Internet is arguably the most effective mode of communication whilst overseas since an email can be sent very quickly and the recipient can read it and respond at a time that is convenient for them.
Total Cost: $
Video Chat/Free Apps
Viber keypad
Most smart phones have free applications, or apps, that allow you to make phone calls or send text messages for free over WiFi. These apps are useful if you have a strong Internet connection, and you have that connection at a time that is convenient for the person you want to contact. Plus, if you use video chatting, you can see the person to whom you are talking, which makes the distance between you seem a little less. I mainly used video chatting via Skype and texting apps since they’re extremely cost-effective, especially considering I had already purchased WiFi through the accommodation.
The apps my friends and I used the most were WhatsApp and Viber. Viber is a free app that lets you call and text for free over WiFi to other Viber users. And if you give the app permission, Viber can access your contacts. Anyone using Viber, regardless of sending or receiving texts/calls, must have a specific smart phone and have downloaded the app.
Whats App texting screen
WhatsApp works flawlessly for texting. Free to download and free to use over WiFi, WhatsApp provides quick texting, just as if you were texting normally. You can text messages, photos and even record audio to send. Then WhatsApp notifies the recipient when a new message arrives. Again, the recipient needs a supported smart phone and to have download the app.
Of course, Facebook, Twitter and a host of other social networking apps are all available as well.
Total Cost: FREE ($ for WiFi)
Snail Mail
This method is very slow and can be expensive. Of course, it’s nice to send a postcard or a letter to your loved ones but don’t expect a response while you are still overseas. Via standard postal service, items typically take between two and three weeks for your recipient to receive your correspondence. Postcard and letter stamps cost under three dollars, but if you opt to send a package, then expect to pay very dearly for shipping.
Total Cost: $$
You can definitely communicate with friends and family back home while you are overseas. But it is important to remember that studying abroad is an opportunity for immense personal growth and development, so constantly searching for WiFi or struggling to maintain a connection while you’re abroad isn’t the best way to spend your time.
Your relationships will still be there when you get home, but you will only be overseas for a short time. Make the most of it! Make memories so you will have tons to tell your friends and families when you return home.
