Your cell phone may not work abroad or you might incur high roaming charges. To use your regular phone, call your provider if you want to get an international plan, and be sure to check the rates of your destination country.
If you opt not to get an international plan, keep your phone on airplane mode and connect to WiFi when possible instead of using data. Download WhatsApp, Skype, Viber (for free calling), or use iMessage and FaceTime to connect with family and friends. If you have a Gmail account, set up Google Voice to call/text family member for free while abroad; registering in the United States is free, while registering abroad is not.
For longer-term programs, consider buying a SIM card that you can put in your phone and top up (add money to) as needed. You can also buy a cheap phone abroad that you can pay by the minute. It’s also not a bad idea to bring an external battery for use while traveling. Some recommended apps for your phone are:
Whether you are in a non-English-speaking country, or even in an English-speaking one, you may feel like you have a good command of the formal language, but may feel overwhelmed due to the regional dialect, popular slang, or the accent. Check out these tips from former W&M students on how to improve your language skills while abroad.
To get accustomed to the language before you depart:
To adjust to language after you arrive in the host country or as you travel:
These experiences will be great to write and/or talk about when applying for graduate school or interviewing for internships and post-graduation jobs.