Ah, studying abroad is such a culturally enriching experience. Well, it is for those who actually study abroad at least. I am currently at my college here in America, but I look forward to attending a service learning trip in Morocco in the near future! However, a couple of my friends and family members are studying abroad. They are ironically all in Spain. I guess that’s the place to be for whatever reason! Everyone wants to touch up on their Spanish skills, which is great because knowing another language, particularly Spanish, is beneficial. Anyway, of course I miss my loved ones who are abroad. Obviously, I wish them the best and hope that they are enjoying their time, but I am glad to be connected to them thanks to the wonders of technology. I will tell you some ways in which I stay in touch with my peeps who are at the moment in a different country.
WhatsApp is an instant message system. It resembles text message and Facebook chat. Users have the opportunity to send and receive photos, send emojis, and make free phone calls internationally. This is a convenient way to converse with people overseas. Viber is a nearly identical application that works similarly. For some reason, many people who I have spoken with seem to like Viber better. Perhaps, this is because it is rumored that WhatsApp may be implementing a small fee for its users, whereas Viber is completely free as of now. Nonetheless, these applications work well. Anyone with a smartphone is able to use these systems.
Evidently, Skype, FaceTime, ooVoo, and Facebook chat and video chat are ways to be able to instantly communicate. It is comforting and reassuring for those who are homesick and away from their loved ones to be able to see their faces, so having video chat systems brings a sense of home to people who may be away from their homes. Additionally, seeing a familiar face can help those who are abroad feel at ease. This also can be applied to family members and friends of people who study abroad. If friends and family are concerned about and/or are simply missing their loved one, then they have the easy accessibility to see their loved ones’ face instantaneously and frequently if they choose to do so. Skype, ooVoo, Facebook video chat, and FaceTime all are ways for people to visually see one another.
Additionally, I love being old school, so staying in touch with friends and family who are abroad by mail is a classic way to communicate for me. I think it’s fun to receive postcards from my friends and family because they make you feel like you are part of their experience and bring you into their trip with them. Furthermore, being sent little souvenirs along the way make you feel immersed in the culture of wherever your loved one is. They also make you feel like you are thought of. Even when you are far away in distance, you are close together in heart and spirit. You can also return the favor and send them memorabilia from home to bring them a sense of familiarity.
Being far from those who you care about can prove to be a challenge, but it is totally possible to keep up to date with how they are doing in their new environment. I am so glad to have had ways to reach my loved ones abroad. For those of you who have yet to study abroad, but plan to do so, then keep these fun methods in mind! These methods of communication can work between you and a friend or family member who permanently live in another country. Don’t limit these ways of talking to just those who study abroad! Instead, utilize them to your convenience.
