Communicating While Abroad
Cell Phones
The best options for cell phone use will vary by location, and you will receive information specific to your program site before departure. If you are participating through a partner institution, you should also check their website for suggestions on what might work best in your destination. Both the CGE and your on-site staff will require that you have a working cell phone abroad, so make sure to create a plan now; once you have finalized your arrangements, you are required to contact us to verify the number you will be using abroad.
While you may continue to use your US phone plan abroad, this option can be very expensive, particularly for semester-long programs, and we would recommend against it. Some students may choose to purchase a phone upon arrival in their destination country, but most will purchase a SIM card from a local service provider. This will likely work out to be the cheapest and most reliable option. Note: Your cell phone may be “locked” which would make it unusable with a new SIM card; reach out to your US service provider about unlocking your phone before your departure.
We suggest you use free internet apps whenever you have Wi-Fi to communicate with friends and family, such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Viber, Facetime, or GroupMe.
Be sure to check your HWS email regularly because that is how we will contact you with important information. You might receive a new email address from your host institution or program where you will receive information on your program and classes, but make sure you also continue to check your HWS email inbox.
Communication Home
Your family and friends will probably want frequent updates while you are abroad. While this is understandable, there is a downside to frequent communication home. It might seem intuitive that calling home daily to check in or having constant email communication will ease the transition and help you feel at home, but, in reality, it connects you ONLY to home and can inhibit integration with the host culture. The more frequent your communication with home, the less likely you are to establish meaningful relationships with the new people around you – which is a key part of study abroad.