Studying abroad is overwhelming. You’re in a new country, surrounded by new people and you have no idea what a SIM card is or why you need one.
Thankfully, there are several apps that make it easier to travel and communicate with family and friends across the ocean, hopefully alleviating some of that study abroad anxiety.
Triposo: The App Store has over 142 separate Triposo apps, each one full of information about one trip destination. Each destination’s front page shows the local time, up-to-date currency exchange rate and the top seven things to do. You can bookmark any of these suggestions.
The “Practicalities” tab shows addresses of local public transportation stops, grocery stores and currency exchange locations. The “Travelpedia” tab gives you a quick history lesson on the city, including a list of annual festivals and suggestions of local grub you have to try before you leave. And each Triposo app is available offline, so you don’t need Wi-Fi to plan your trip throughout the day!
Evernote: Thanks, Evernote, for being the greatest app ever. Use it to record lectures and take notes in class, make grocery lists and create to-do lists for your travel destination. Evernote lets you make notes on your computer that automatically sync to your phone without Wi-Fi. Save your itinerary, hotel information and address of the closest coffee shop right to your phone for easy access when you’re on the go.
Snapchat: Can we take a second to marvel at modern communication? One week I’m two blocks away from you, sending you a Snapchat of a weird rock I just found, and the next week I’m three thousand miles away, still sending you weird rock pictures. Because Snapchat uses Wi-Fi instead of data, you can send those crucial images of your afternoon tea to friends and family, or alienate everyone you love by sending hourly pictures of the beautiful view from your dorm room window in Spain.
Viber: While WhatsApp is the more popular app for overseas communication, Viber takes it a step further in terms of functionality. This app uses Wi-Fi, so you can text and even make calls while you’re away. The sound quality is different from a regular phone call, but it is ridiculously clear.
Foodspotting: Hungry in a new city? Check your Foodspotting app – it scans your location for user-generated photos and reviews of good food in your area. This is ideal for people like me who go from “Hey, maybe I’m hungry” to “I am currently dying of starvation” in about thirty seconds. Foodspotting generates recommendations based on your location, so you can choose between lots of delicious options nearby.
Google Translate: If I could have a superpower, I would speak every language. Dead languages? What dead languages? I’m speaking Latin like I own the place. But until that day comes, Google Translate is the way to go. Don’t be dumb when you’re in a new country. Know what you want to say when you get to the coffee shop. Don’t just point and say it sheepishly in English – zero people will like you. Get out that Google translate on your way there, figure out what you want to say, practice your pronunciation, and saunter in proudly like you’re (almost) bi-lingual.
Stock up on apps to make your life easier while you are abroad. They can make you a better traveler – more organized, more prepared, and more relaxed. Apps are a great resource for traveling folk who want to stay connected and make the most of their incredible experience abroad.
Can you recommend any apps that are particularly helpful while traveling?
Lindsey Sampson is an international affairs and social entrepreneurship student at Northeastern University