Office of International Programs

Tech Abroad

Your phone is one of the most useful tools you can have while studying abroad, whether you are contacting your friends and family or navigating your host city and culture throughout your program. While internet and data access may vary, the following tips can help you stay connected.  

Calling and Messaging 

All Seton Hall students must be reachable while they are studying abroad. When completing your study abroad application, be sure to submit your personal phone number so the Office of International Programs and Seton Hall University can contact you as needed.

  • Please do not submit your emergency contacts’ phone numbers when asked to submit your phone number abroad. The Office of International Programs collects this information in a separate question. If there’s an emergency abroad, we will be sure to contact the people listed as your emergency contact.
  • Reach out to your phone provider and ask what international plans are available to you. Be sure to consider the length of your program and whether you will be visiting multiple countries.
  • If your phone provider’s international plans are expensive or provide limited data, consider purchasing an eSIM in your host country to have access to cheaper plans with local networks. Please see Using an eSIM for further details on purchasing and setting up your eSIM.
  • Apple iMessage and FaceTime can be used to contact fellow Apple users using Wi-fi. While this makes communication much easier at home, keep in mind you will use additional data to use these platforms abroad when you leave a Wi-fi hotspot.
  • Be sure to go into your Settings and turn off “Send as SMS” under “Messages” to be sure you won’t send any text messages using your data.

Common social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Snapchat can be used to call and send messages over Wi-fi as long as the person you are trying to contact has an account.

Must Have Travel Apps

When traveling abroad, keep in mind that you may not have as much internet access as you would have back at home. These apps will help you communicate with your peers and travel within your host destination with ease.

  • WhatsApp and Viber: These end-to-end encryption communication apps that can be used to contact people on the app across multiple devices (computers, phones, etc.) Your account is tied to your phone number and can be accessed using both data and Wi-fi.
  • Google Maps: You can download an offline map of your host country to your phone to receive directions without data services. Google Maps provides real-time traffic updates and can guide you on the fastest path to your destination, based on your transportation option of choice.
  • Google Translate: Having your host country’s language downloaded for offline mode is especially useful when interacting with the local community and culture.
  • Local Transit App: If your host city has a major transit system, be sure to download any available transit information apps to ensure you have the most up to date bus and train schedules.
  • Uber & Taxi Alternatives: Uber is either not popular or banned entirely in many countries. Be sure to check if your destination uses Uber, and if not, find one or two local taxi alternatives that you can use.

Using an eSIM

International phone plans provide comprehensive data services for short-term programs. However, for students living for a semester or an academic year in their host country, using an eSIM may be a more affordable option.

  • Make sure your phone is unlocked for an international SIM card to work. Reach out to your cell phone provider to ensure that your phone is unlocked and can accept an international SIM card.
  • When you arrive in Europe, purchase an international SIM card. You can purchase a SIM card at newsstands, corner stores, and electronic stores without any contract or commitment. These SIM cards come with prepaid credit that you can refill when you run out of data.
  • Be sure to research if different data rates apply when calling back to the United States. Have your SIM card set up in your phone. Be sure to test whether you can make phone calls and send messages with the plan you purchased. You can have the store clerk set up the card and update your number and language as needed.
  • Add data to your SIM card as needed. If you run out of data, you can return to any store that offers services for your SIM card – look for stores that have your SIM card company’s logo visible. Once you pay for your additional data, be sure to follow the store clerk’s directions to add the prepaid data credit to your phone.
  • Make sure to update your international phone number with OIP. As mentioned in Calling and Messaging, all Seton Hall students are required to report an international phone number that can be used to contact them in case of an emergency. Once you’ve confirmed your international number works, be sure to update your number by emailing studyabroad@shu.edu.

Internet Access Abroad 

While at your host destination, the Wi-Fi service at your accommodation may not be strong enough for you to complete your assignments or communicate with friends and family at home. Internet cafes can be a reliable alternative for online access but be sure to be careful when using a public network.

  • Check to see if the internet café offers free Wi-fi to customers and if they have certain rules on what applications and services are allowed while using their network.
  • When logging in to a public network on your personal computer, be sure to check that you have file sharing turned off in your personal settings. You want to avoid receiving unknown files and downloads in case of a virus.
  • When using a public computer, be sure to avoid logging into personal accounts, as you may forget to log back out. If you must check your email or any private platforms, be sure to unclick “Remember Me” or “Stay Signed In” when initially logging in. Avoid accessing private information on your phone when using a public Wi-fi network as well.
  • Avoid accessing personal banking and credit card accounts while you are abroad and using public Wi-fi networks. If you are purchasing excursion tickets, such as for a museum or a public space, through a website, make sure your website link is secure to handle sensitive information.