Staying in touch with friends & family, keeping up with Carleton, and being reachable by your program at a moment’s notice are all reasons to have a reliable communication strategy while you travel. You should discuss with your parents their expectations for being in touch with you while traveling before, during, and after the program, and plan accordingly. Timeanddate.com has a number of resources related to international calling such as country & city codes, international clocks, date calculators, and so on.

Mobile Phones

This article discusses traveling with Smartphones, using your own cell phone with an international calling plan, and purchasing an international cell phone, with local SIM cards. Check with your program provider on their requirements or recommendations for cell phones. Some provide a local cell phone for your use on site, others require you to purchase your own, and still others have no explicit policy.

Skype

Skype is a computer-based phone program that allows you to talk (and video chat) with people all over the world. The only requirement is a high speed internet connection and speakers, and a microphone on your computer. You (or your parents) can also purchase credits to use Skype to call a mobile or landline phone.

Pay Phones

Pay phones are still available in many countries. They generally do not take coins, but rather a pre-paid debit card which can be easily purchased in-country. You are charged a per minute fee for each call.

Phone Cards

A worldwide access phone card is useful for making calls from a landline. A number of websites sell phone cards for use in the US and abroad. Be sure to check on the conditions of the card you purchase such as monthly maintenance fees, connection charges, expiration dates, etc. as there are plenty of scams mixed in with legitimate cards.

Email

Most email applications are web-based and therefore accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. It’s a fact of life that you will need to check your email periodically while traveling to keep up with Carleton and other business and stay in touch with family and friends.

Blogs

Many students keep a personal blog of their adventures abroad, and/or contribute to a program blog. Blogs are a great way to keep friends and family involved in your experience in real-time. There are a number of platforms that can host your blog such as the Google Blogger or Tumblr. You are advised to read the OCS Blogger’s Code of Ethics and use good judgment about the kinds of things you post on your blog, remembering that they may be read by your hosts, your program directors, and anyone who performs even a simple internet search.

Facebook and other social media sites

Most students are active at least to some degree on Facebook, and find that it is a very convenient way to post photos and updates of their adventures to a wide audience. Be cautious about spending too much time on Facebook (or any other website), so that you are maximizing your time exploring the physical sites, human relationships, and experiences available to you in your host country.