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Uriel GuadarramaSchool:University of Southern California Abroad Location: Taiwan |
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PRINTStaying In Touch With Your Child Abroad
While your child is abroad, you’ll want to stay in touch. Not only will it help put you at ease, it will give you a taste of your child’s experiences.
This might be the first time your child has lived away from home, or you might be used to being frequently in contact. However, staying in touch while your child is abroad won’t be as easy as when they are close to home. Your child might not have as much Internet access, and the different time zones can limit when you can contact each other. Staying in touch overseas can also be expensive.
While staying connected is important, it can also be a trap. If your child spends too much time and energy keeping in touch with those back home, they will miss out on the culture and the other things the host country offers. In other words, it is important to encourage a balance. Stay in touch with your child, but give them room to make the most of their experiences abroad. Motivate your child to get out of their room during downtime and explore their host culture, this will not only improve their experience but it will also provide them with impressive stories to share!
Cell Phones and Text Messaging
Cell phones make it easier than ever for you and your child to stay in touch. There are three main options for cell phone service, and each has pros and cons. While your child is abroad, he/she can:
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Roam using his/her U.S. carrier
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Use the local cell phone service
Using your child’s U.S. carrier allows him/her to keep the same phone number, making it easy for you to reach him/her. However, roaming can be expensive. In addition, some cell phones are not compatible for use overseas, due to the different frequencies used in the U.S. versus abroad. Your child should check with their carrier to see if they can use their phone abroad.
Renting a phone may seem like an attractive choice, but your child should check the rates carefully first. Renting a handset is often affordable, but the per-minute rate charges can be high. Also, sometimes there are minimum daily charges, meaning that your child doesn’t have to make any calls for their bill to add up.
In many cases, using the local cell phone service is the most affordable option, especially for local calls. Your child’s rates will be the same as the locals, and they won’t have to worry about roaming or daily minimum charges.
Text messaging is another convenient way to keep in touch. Check with your child’s cell phone service provider to find out rates for incoming and outgoing international text messages.
International Phone Cards
A prepaid international phone card, sometimes called a calling card, can be more affordable than a cell phone. The card has a number your child can use to make calls from any kind of phone. Before your child leaves you can figure out what the country codes and important numbers will be while their abroad.
Your child can purchase a phone card before they leave, but make sure that it will work in their host country. Or, your child can buy a phone card once they reach their destination. In fact, sometimes it is more affordable to get a phone card abroad. Phone cards can usually be recharged or your child can buy new ones as needed.
If your child has regular Internet access abroad, email is a convenient and inexpensive way to keep in touch. With email, you don’t have to worry about time zones. Plus, your child can send pictures of the highlights of your trip for you to see. You may also think about investing in a video camera for you and your child’s computers so that you can video chat.
Other Communication over the Internet
There are lots of other ways you can communicate via the Internet, including Internet phone calls, video chat, instant messaging, social networks, and blogs. These services are often free or affordable, so if your child has regular internet access, consider using these methods to keep in touch.
Internet phone calls, video chat and instant messaging work in “real time,” so you will have to be aware of time zones. One benefit of video chat is that you can see your child and they can see you, even though you’ll be thousands of miles apart. Try these services:
With social networks and blogs, you don’t have to worry about time zones. These two methods can be a good way for your child to update all of his/her friends and family at once by posting pictures and writing about his/her activities.
Must Ask Questions
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How much does it cost
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for me to call my child abroad?
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for my child to call me?
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for my child to use the internet?
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for my child to send postcards and letters home?
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for me to send mail to my child?
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How often should my child call home?
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How often will my child be able to access the internet? A phone?
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Will my child’s cell phone work abroad? Does he/she need to rent or buy a new phone overseas?
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Where and when is it culturally appropriate for my child to take cell phone calls?