4 Favorite Ways to Stay Connected While Abroad | The Odyssey Online
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4 Favorite Ways to Stay Connected While Abroad

They say "live in the moment". I say "Instagram it so it lasts longer than just a moment".

Haley Wentz
Oct 09, 2016
Kalamazoo College
18
4 Favorite Ways to Stay Connected While Abroad

"Live in the moment" they say. Before I left to study abroad all the blogs I read and all the past participants I talked to all said basically the same thing, to put down my phone and enjoy my new experiences without technology. That's great, fine and fabulous for some, but that's so not me. I look forward to going to a new city in part so I can see what geo-filters they have on snapchat. I love trying new food so I can take a picture of it and put it on instagram. I go out and explore this new city I live in every single day so I always have new content for my blog. I live my life through social media and all the it allows me to connect with new friends and stay connected with old friends. Studying abroad has not changed my opinion in the slightest. Rather, it has strengthened my belief that social media apps have changed the way we communicate in the best ways possible.

I am here to say social media has done nothing but enhance my experience while being abroad and here are four of my personal favorite apps that have made my study abroad experience so much more memorable:

1. Facetime

This one goes without much explanation. The only thing better than chatting with my best pals from home is chatting with them WHILE seeing their faces. Also, I love getting to see my furry friends and I'm sure (judging by the enthusiastic look pictured on my cat's face above) they love getting to see my face as well.

2. Snapchat

Only thing better than a memorable photo posted for the world to look at forever is an embarrassing photo that disappears after 10 seconds. Plus, each time I go to a new city I get to document my arrival while using Snapchat's geo-filters. I'll miss a lot of things about Copenhagen when I leave, but their adorable geo-filters will most definitely be in the top 10 list.

3. Instagram

I love scrolling through instagram and seeing all the fun and exciting new places all my family and friends are visiting! Until I can Facetime people 24/7, Instagram will have to suffice! Also, Instagram is the only form of social media my grandma has so... #gramminforthegrandma

4. WhatsApp

Group chats go global! This app doesn't discriminate between iPhone and Android users, the only criteria is wifi! I am the queen of the group chats and I was about to let my moving to a new country stop me from doing what I love, texting!

I love being able to share my new experiences with friends, both old and new, and family members. Social media has reduced the cost of communication while simultaneously making it so much easier and more accessible. While I am sure to "live in the moment" while I'm studying abroad here in Copenhagen, I have no desire to unplug because I want to share all these "moments" I'm living in with the ones I love most!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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