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Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.– Babs Hoffman |
Summer Abroad Student Handbook (SASH){Chapter Five: Communication} |
Keeping in Touch with Summer Abroad
Keeping in Touch with Family and Friends While Abroad
Keeping in Touch with Summer Abroad
Program Updates
Check your email and log in to your UC Davis Summer Abroad student account regularly! Most communication from Summer Abroad and the program instructor will occur via your email address through a program specific listserv. If you change your email address, update it by editing your contact information via your Student Login.
Updating Your Information
The UC Davis Summer Abroad Office must have your complete and up-to-date contact, medical, academic and dietary information. Update your information online via the Student Login on the Summer Abroad website.
MyUCDavis
Davis students will be able to view the Summer Abroad fees posted to their account—and after the program ends, their course grades through the MyUCDavis website (http://my.ucdavis.edu). In addition, some instructors share information with students through this website. Non-Davis students can set up access to MyUCDavis by visiting http://computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu and clicking on “Get your UC Davis Computing Account.” Non-Davis students will need their UCD ID number (available via your Summer Abroad student login approximately three weeks after you complete your enrollment) to create an account.
Program Listserv
All participants will be added to a listserv specific to their program. Through the listserv, you may communicate with fellow students to get to know one another, plan get-togethers, ask questions, coordinate travel plans, and exchange photos. Be aware that all information posted on the listservs can be read by the Summer Abroad staff, your instructor, and may eventually be posted by internet search engines.
Keeping in Touch with Family and Friends While Abroad
Calling the U.S. from Abroad
Many U.S.-based long distance phone companies provide special services that make it easy for you to phone home from abroad. Some provide toll-free access numbers that connect with an operator in the U.S. Some provide the means to charge long distance calls to a credit card or to a third party. Some provide better long distance rates. Others provide access to emergency, medical, legal, translation, and entertainment information. Students are encouraged to investigate these options before departure and to shop for the best services and rates.
Global Cell Phones
Most cell phone companies can either sell you a special global cell phone with an option to add more minutes as needed. Also, most cell phone companies can unlock your cell phone for global use, but this requires a trip to a provider at your destination who will give you a SIM card and sell you minutes. Check with your cell phone provider for more information.
Cell Phone Rental
Many students choose to rent a cell phone that works at their destination. Some companies will ship the phone directly to the student in advance of the program dates—and include a packet for sending the phone back when they return. Interested students can locate service providers via the Internet.
Phone Cards
There are literally hundreds of options for phone cards that can be used while studying abroad. Many travel agencies and specific phone providers carry great options for phone cards. Check the rates available from your long distance provider. Summer Abroad does not endorse any specific carrier, and because there are so many options, it is easiest to research “international calling cards” online and figure out what option is best for you.
Skype
Skype is a computer program that you can download for free that allows you to talk (for free) on the phone over the Internet with anyone else who has Skype. Just go to www.skype.com to download the program. For an extra fee you can enable your Skype to call land lines instead of just other computers. You will need a microphone so that you can talk to the person on the other line.
Instant Messaging Systems
Instant messaging systems are also a great free way to communicate with people back in the states. There are a ton of options for messaging systems from AOL Instant Messenger to Yahoo Messenger. Just about every messaging program can be downloaded for free online.
Email
Check your email regularly! Be sure to provide Summer Abroad, family, and friends, with the email address you use most frequently. One of the best (and least expensive) ways to keep in contact with loved ones at home is to communicate through email. Students in all Summer Abroad programs will find that it is vital to have a web-based email account (such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo) that will allow them to access both their personal and campus email while overseas. We strongly urge students to set up a web-based email account before departure.
Geckomail and MyUCDavis
UC Davis students can access their campus email over the Internet through Geckomail or MyUCDavis. Keep in mind, however, that Geckomail doesn't offer many of the features of other web-based accounts, such as the ability to check other accounts remotely. Please note that in some countries (e.g. China), access to UC email may be blocked.
Forwarding Your Campus Email to a Web-Based Account
Davis students can forward their UC Davis campus account to another address. Visit the IT Express website (http://itexpress.ucdavis.edu), choose "UC Davis Computing Accounts," and then follow the directions to "Redirect your email address." Non-UC Davis students should check with their home campus accounting services for more information.
Internet Access
Computer and internet access varies by program. Some students have computer and internet access at their accommodations; others use internet cafés for these services. Check your Program Specific Guide for more information. Note: Summer Abroad encourages you to limit use of email while abroad so you spend more time experiencing the local culture.
Mail
Letters and Packages
Letters can take as long as one month to reach the intended address. Therefore, correspondence sent to you may not arrive until after the end of the program. In some cases, packages may take longer to arrive than a letter. We suggest that your family and friends not use the regular post to send packages. If you want to ensure speedy delivery, use a quick courier service such as FedEx, UPS or DHL. Check the Program Specific Guide for your program’s mailing address/es.