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Tips for Travelers: Essential Apps for Studying Abroad

mmgrant — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:20:11 +0000

There are so many apps available that offer travel advice and services, but which ones are the most useful? Check out this list of apps that are must-haves for any student studying abroad!

1. Ride-Sharing App

Having a ride-sharing app downloaded and set up before flying to your destination country will make your arrival less stressful. In most cases, the easiest way to get around a city is to use a ride-sharing service. Booking ahead via an app can save time and eliminate communication issues if language barriers exist. Costs for the service vary based on location, time of day, and traffic conditions, so always compare rates to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Also, research what ride-sharing services are offered in your destination because some services are only available in certain regions and cities. Some examples of ride-sharing apps include Uber, Lyft, BlaBlaCar, Beat, Didi, and Bolt.

2. Mobile Payment Method

Without flexible payment methods, travelling is difficult. Some countries do not accept certain brands of credit cards and ATM’s are not always easy to find. Cash is the preferred method of payment in many countries, but it is not recommended to carry large amounts of cash with you. Therefore, having access to mobile payment methods is essential when traveling in a new place. Downloading banking and credit card apps prior to departure will ensure that you can access your money safely and securely wherever you are. Also, apps such as Venmo and Paypal can be useful to reimburse people you are travelling with. While in Spain, my friends and I learned that restaurants would not split up our bill, and we always had to pay each other back with Venmo or cash.

3. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a necessary communication tool that allows you to text, call, and facetime your contacts via Wifi or cellular data, from wherever you are in the world. Before leaving, have your friends and family download WhatsApp to stay connected with you throughout your travels. You can also use WhatsApp to keep in touch with any new friends or people you meet during your trip.

4. Mobile Passport

The Mobile Passport app allows you to speed up security processes in major airports across the US, as well as have your passport information easily accessible at any time. Use the Mobile Passport Express Line at select airports to expedite your travel experience.

5. TripLingo

If you want to live like a local when visiting another country, TripLingo is a must have. This app provides tools such as a conversion and tip calculator, as well as a list of essential phrases, an image translator, and a voice translator. It also has a culture guide that includes country-specific information about etiquette, dining, money and shopping, things to do, history, climate, and so much more. There is also a safety section that includes emergency contact information to use within the country and Iowa State University phone numbers for any situation. Having this information readily available on my phone made me feel safer and more prepared for studying abroad.

6. Air BnB

An easy way to save money while traveling, is to stay at an Air BnB instead of a hotel. I utilized Air BnBs as well as hostels while traveling around Europe, but these options are available everywhere. Another advantage of using the Air BnB app is that it is easy to book places to stay in advance or with short notice. To confirm your reservation, contact the owner in advance of your arrival and ask questions about check-in and check-out times. Also, be sure to double check the location of the Air BnB in proximity to the areas you are wanting to visit. You can save time and money on transportation if you are within walking distance of these locations. If you are comfortable staying in a hostel, I recommend using the Hostel World app. This app allows you to compare prices and review ratings of different hostels.

One thing to keep in mind is that hostels and Air BnB’s are often the cheapest way to travel but are less secure and offer less amenities than a hotel would. Although I have yet to have a bad experience staying in any of these locations, it does not mean that all housing options are good options. Always do your research, read reviews, and use common sense to make sure that the option you are considering is safe and legit. Using an app can be convenient, but if something seems too good to be true, it very well could be.

7. Skyscanner

This is a great app to find cheap flights and plan weekend trips. You have probably heard that flights in other countries are much cheaper than in the United States, and in most cases that is true! However, that also means that airlines do not have to offer the same amenities that we are used to in the US, and baggage restrictions and fees can be different as well.

One of my favorite tools within the Skyscanner app is the Explore option. This is a search engine that shows the cheapest destinations to visit from any starting location or time of the year, as well as recommended trips based on your previous search history. So, if you know you want to travel but don’t have a specific destination in mind, you can compare multiple trips at once and might find a deal that surprises you!

8. Omio

Omio was the app that I used the most during my semester abroad. This app allows you to compare the prices and times of bus, train, and plane travel to various destinations. Once you create an account, you can purchase and store your tickets within the app to use while traveling. I often used Omio in conjunction with Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights and then plan transportation to and from the airport. By comparing several options, I was able to save money and plan efficient trips with little layover time.

Apps and services are always improving, so be sure to ask fellow travelers what apps they are currently using. This is just a short list of apps to get you started, so be sure to do more research to find what apps will work best for your travels!

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Author(s):

Marta Grant

First-Generation College Celebration - Taylor Berkshire

nicolerh — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 18:24:49 +0000

On November 8, 2020, colleges and universities are encouraged to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff on campus as part of First-Generation College Celebration! In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. Given the continued success of this event, COE and the Center now partner to make this celebration an annual event.

To celebrate, the CALS �� Office interviewed Taylor Berkshire ('18 agronomy, environmental science), a first-generation student who participated in study abroad programs to Antarctica, Austria, Costa Rica, Italy, New Zealand, Poland and South Africa!

What role did study abroad play when you were applying for college?

It didn’t play the biggest role as I don’t recall learning about it when I toured. The wonderful faculty is what drew me in to ISU!

What sparked your interest in study abroad?

I had only traveled out of the country once before college and I knew I wanted to do it again, but wasn’t really sure how. One of my classes freshman year mentioned a study abroad course and so I started looking into more and realized what an amazing opportunity it would be to be able to visit another country and have an in-depth introduction to their agricultural systems that I would never get on my own and to also have it all planned out for me. And then once I went on one, I was hooked and loved studying abroad.

Where there any challenges you faced as a first-gen student aspiring to study abroad?

I would say the big two were financial and hesitancy from parents.

How did you navigate those challenges?

Financially, there were scholarships available through the �� office, as well as my department that helped tremendously and I had a job while in college so I was able to save money from that to help pay for it. The hesitancy from parents was a little more difficult as they had never gone abroad and weren’t familiar with the program and the safety measures in place for students. I had told them that I was going and provided all the information I could to ease their worries such as providing the various emergency phone numbers, flight plans, and itineraries. I think parents are always going to worry, but I would encourage students to not let that hinder their desire to explore the world, especially in such a safe and curated manner as study abroad is.

What impact did studying abroad have on you and your experience at Iowa State?

It had an unmeasurable impact. I was able to meet so many new people and friends from different backgrounds that broadened my scope on the world. When you come from a small town, you don’t know much else except for what the people around you have known their whole life, but when you travel you are exposed to different experiences and ways of life that can impact your perspective on many topics. It also helped me in my academics as I was able to relate to different agricultural or environmental issues around the world that may or may not be the same to the ones faced in Iowa/US. My study abroad experiences are still some of my fondest memories from ISU.

What impact did studying abroad have on your career prospects?

I think it has helped me in more indirect ways as it helped me become a more well-rounded individual with skill sets that I may not have if it weren’t for studying abroad such as navigating new situations, speaking to individuals from different backgrounds, and staying calm when things aren’t going as planned. It has also provided a wonderful ice breaker in many conversations when networking.

What resources would you recommend for a first-gen student wanting to study abroad?

I would definitely reach out to the study abroad office as they have the knowledge and resources to get you on your way, but also reach out to your department and consider speaking to other students who have gone to see what their experience has been. There are also a wide variety of programs that range in cost, length of time, how far away from the US, and even language differences or not. I don’t think you could pick a ‘bad’ study abroad because they are all wonderful and unique, even if they aren’t in your field of study.

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