How to Use Your Phone Abroad - Two Options
How to Use Your Phone Abroad - Two Options
One of the biggest concerns of study abroad students (and their parents) is cell phones. In this day and age, we are overly connected to one another but not in the right way. Many people are attached to their phones, constantly texting or posting pictures, ignoring the beauty, opportunities for adventure and the people standing in front of them. But when you are abroad you will learn that other cultures prioritize quality time/family time and are very present in every part of their days.
However, you will be an ocean away from your family or friends, so communicating via cell phone is your best option to stay connected to them. We do recommend for students and parents to avoid contacting one another constantly for the first week. Students need to get acclimated to their new home and start to create bonds with others in ASA or their host families. For the remainder of their time abroad, you should definitely catch up with their friends and family, and the best way to do that is to have a phone plan.
There are two different options that students choose from when deciding their phone plan. Below we outline these plans, list the pros and cons and let you know which of the two is the more popular one (hint: it’s not option 1).
OPTION 1: International Plan
Sign up for an international plan through your current phone carrier
Pros
Keep your phone #
Convenience
Guaranteed to work in every country
T-Mobile users: international data may already be included with your plan -- check with T-Mobile
Cons
Expensive
International data connection may be slow & spotty
*OPTION 2: Purchase a local SIM card after you arrive
Pros
MUCH cheaper
Better service
Cons
Will have a new phone # (but your old one is on your original SIM card from the U.S.)
Must “unlock” phone through your U.S. carrier (do this before you go abroad; some carriers, like Verizon, make their phones unlocked already)
Service may only work in the country you live in (depends on which plan you buy from SIM card carrier abroad)
*Option 2 is the most popular option that study abroad students select
IF YOU CHOOSE OPTION 2:
You must unlock your phone
Call your cell phone carrier
Request that your phone be “unlocked” as you plan to get a different carrier while abroad (most Verizon phones are already unlocked, but double-check with them)
There may be a fee associated with this process, but in order to put in a new SIM card & have it work, you need to get your phone unlocked
When you arrive, ask your Site Director where to buy SIM cards
WATCH VIDEO FOR STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO REMOVE YOUR SIM CARD (from 1:08-1:15)
**Be sure to keep your original SIM card in a safe place, because it’s super tiny & you need it for when you go back to the U.S.
Note: Your ASA Site Director can advise you on the best time to purchase a SIM card and which carrier has the best cost/service
Remember: it’s okay to catch up with friends and family, but don’t get too consumed in retelling your adventures during the days and nights that you can be creating new ones. You will see them when you get back home, and it will make it more exciting for them to have to anticipate your arrival AND cool stories!