Communicating with Friends and Family
Prior to going abroad, discuss with friends and family how you will be able to communicate and the apps you'll be using. Your communication frequency may change based on your schedule and availability of wireless connectivity abroad.
Changing your Mailing Address with Ohio State
Be sure to change your local address with Ohio State so that any mail sent by the university will go to a U.S. address where a parent or responsible friend will take care of your affairs. You can change your address at buckeyelink.osu.edu.
Internet access varies widely from region to region. It can be easy to access in some places or require extra time and effort to access in others. Be sure to check your Ohio State email on a regular basis at email.osu.edu. If you are using a personal email address while abroad, you should forward your Ohio State email to your personal account at my.osu.edu. The Office of International Affairs and Ohio State will communicate with you through your Ohio State email account and provide you with important information, such as your registration information. Many host institutions or overseas residence halls will provide computer facilities with internet access, or you can access the internet for a fee at a local internet café.
Telephoning from Overseas
When you make your first call overseas, you will need to learn a new telephone system, which will vary from country to country. Here are some options for phoning while overseas.
- Use your current cell phone abroad.
- Contact your U.S. wireless provider (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) to find out if you need to purchase a specific service plan in order to use your phone and/or to obtain international calling and texting rates.
- Another option is to use your personal cellphone with a service provider from overseas (such as Vodafone in Europe or América Móvil in Latin America). In this case, your cellphone will need to be “unlocked” before leaving the United States, and you will need to purchase a SIM card when you arrive in your host country. Using a SIM card abroad will give you access to local rates for minutes, texts and data usage, which may be less expensive than the rates offered through your U.S. wireless provider.
- Use an international calling/SMS app.
- Search for specific communication apps that will allow you to make international calls or texts at no charge, such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, Rebtel, Vonage or MagicJack.
- Rent or buy a cell phone.
- You can rent or buy a cellphone in the host country or purchase a cellphone in the United States that provides international coverage.
- Video calling services like FaceTime, Viber, Tango, Google Hangouts and Skype are all available to make free calls over the internet and serve as a good alternative.
Social Media
Think carefully about what you post online while you are abroad. Future employers, family members and university officials could come across your "social identity," which could have a negative impact on your future. Keep in mind that people in the United States are not the only ones watching these websites. Posting revealing information about yourself could make you a target both in the United States and in the country you are visiting.
- You should always ask permission before posting videos or photographs of your classmates, instructors, resident directors and tour guides.
- Always represent yourself, your classmates, your instructors, the United States and Ohio State in a respectable manner.
- Share your education abroad stories with others, but be aware of what you are sharing and with whom. Check your privacy settings and turn off the sharing of your location and geotagging of photos. If you share your location, you may receive unwanted attention, and you or your group may be targeted.
Communication with the Office of International Affairs
The Office of International Affairs looks forward to hearing from you while you are studying abroad! If you choose to stay connected to friends and family via social media while you're abroad, we invite you to stay connected to the Office of International Affairs as well.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X and Linkedin and be sure to use the hashtag #BuckeyesAbroad when you post pictures and videos during your experience. While documenting your time abroad, we recommend that you follow all university guidelines, keep in mind safety considerations such as alcohol use and wear Ohio State branded attire to rep your Buckeye pride!
Want to set up an IG account takeover to share your adventure in real time? Get in touch with Kae Kimball, communications and public relations specialist, to learn how.
Once you get home, be sure to upload any pictures you'd like to share to the global education questionnaire that you receive and look out for an email from International Affairs inviting you to feature your story over at Buckeyes Abroad.