First Time Overseas Experience

When you reach your destination, you may want to alert someone of your safe travel. arrived safely. The team should provide you with a telephone. You are responsible for whatever bills you incur. Two (2) things I suggest:

Find a computer that has access to the Internet. It will be your least expensive line of communication. Inform your family and friends of your email address and let them know you will be contacting them upon arrival. It will not cost you nearly the amount of money you will pay if you were to call everyone.

Locate a Telecom. Overseas has what is known as Telecoms. It is a place where you can make international calls inexpensively (Note: Not all countries have them but if you locate one you will be in good shape) During my first experience I phoned my Father and spoke with him for approximately 20 minutes at a cost of under $2 US dollars. It was relatively inexpensive as opposed as to calling on a cell phone or landline.

Calling from a cell phone was not as expensive as I thought, so it is not a bad idea if you don't have access to the suggestions I gave you. The best thing about receiving cell phones abroad, you receive free incoming calls. Here is what you will need to do if you are calling to America on any type of phone. Dial 001 + the area code and the number (ie. 001 (123) 212-5555). If someone wants to contact you, they must know your country code.

Here is a website with a complete list of country codes www.countrycallingcodes.com. Helpful hint: Advise them to call from a house phone using a calling card. If not, they will be very angry when they receive their phone bill. Tell them to pick up a pre-paid calling card at any convenience store or gas station. If you receive a cell phone, try to keep it with you throughout your career. Cell phones in Europe are different from American cell phones. They have dual band or GSM which allows use all over Europe. Note: You just need to get a chip for the country you are located in.

Here is the best solution to all your communication needs. If you want to hear the voices of your family and friends at little to no cost, I suggest you using Skype (www.skype.com). This service allows you to receive and make phone calls from your computer. All you need is a computer and a headset. The calls are crystal clear. No one will know you are using a computer unless you tell them.

This is how it works. After you download the program you will be prompted to pick a city or area code of your choice. It gives you an actual phone number that people can call to reach you on your computer. You can pick any city in the world. No matter what country you are in it will work. The only cost to others will be the minutes imposed from their cell phone carriers, or, if they are calling from another area code. Again this program works anywhere in the world as long as you have internet access.

The cool things about this service are it has Caller Id to let you know who called and Voicemail for people to leave important messages. If you would like to make calls you can buy purchasing minutes. All you need is a credit card. This by far is the best service because it allows your family and friends to call a number without worrying about country codes. Check out the website. You will be amazed.