If you choose to study abroad you need to carefully research and plan your trip. Studying abroad can be daunting, but with the right preparation it can be a wonderful experience.
We posted something a while back called ‘Tips for Students Studying Abroad’ and, since things change, we wanted to create an updated version to allow you to effectively plan your international studies.
Research a Destination
Of course you will have a good idea of what subject you would like to study, and maybe where you want to study abroad. So, with this in mind, check out the local and national environment. Such as:
Disability – does the infrastructure and amenities cater for people with disabilities?
Safety – what is the current crime rate?
Paperwork
It’s time to get prepared to study abroad. The first ‘official’ part of organizing your international studies is to apply for the relevant paperwork so you can enter the country where you’ll be studying abroad.
These will more likely be a passport, a visa and, if you’re heading by land or sea to another North American country such as Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, you’ll also need a passport card.
Applying for any documentation can take time, so it’s advised to allow 10 weeks before you receive your final passport in the mail. If you require a visa you may be able to apply online, via the countries embassy or even at the airport once you arrive at your destination.
Health and Insurance
Staying fit and healthy whilst you study abroad is essential. Not only will falling sick affect your international studies, but also foreign healthcare can be very expensive. So, it’s vital that you check your, or your parents, existing medical insurance to see if you are covered in your particular destination.
If you choose to study abroad you’ll be enjoying the local cuisine and immersing yourself in a new, exciting, culture. While it provides you with these amazing experiences, it can open up a host of possible diseases and other health risks. Remember the standards of which food and drink is prepared may not live up to the standards of which you are use to in the United States.
Depending on which country you’ve chosen to study abroad within may require you to receive a vaccination to protect you from illnesses that are present in other parts of the world. It’s just as important that you’ve kept up to date with your routine vaccinations too.
Contact
‘Be prepared’ the trusty Boy Scout motto, is a very apt saying here. Having to deal with an emergency when you’re home is difficult, imagine how difficult it could be if you’re the other side of the world?
Technology helps. Having an international cell phone, that acts exactly the same as a cell in the United States, goes someway to satisfy the ‘be prepared’ Boy Scout motto. If your current cell phone works, you’re cell operator may not cover the destination you plan to study abroad within – it’s worth checking out with them. However, getting an international SIM card may be easier and more cost efficient. Once you have organised a cell phone for your international studies, it’s very much entering a few of these emergency contact numbers, as well as all your family and friends.
Enrolling Your Trip
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Ideal for those who plan to study abroad.
STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency, during your international studies, or to get in touch following a family emergency back in the United States.
Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties. However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency happens, or if a natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the nearest U.S, embassy or consulate can be your source of assistance and information.
Here at Mobal, we help lots of international students every year stay in contact whilst they study abroad. If you are planning to study abroad, remember we can help you too. Just click here…>>
Mobell Communications Group, for which Mobal is part of, attended the Tokyo American Club ‘Welcome Home’ event in September and the special guest for the evening was Konishiki.
Hawaiian-born former sumo wrestler Konishiki, who led the hip-circling hula dancing as the sounds of the ukulele-plucking band filled the room, is a warm and friendly character whose efforts to raise money for the children of Tohoku was very much appreciated by everyone who attended.
The Good Cause
The event, and the money raised on the night, was in aid of Konishiki’s charity, the ‘Konishiki Kids Foundation’, to help the children in Tohoku. The foundation itself, founded in 1996, helps to broaden children’s horizons through cultural exchange trips to Japan.
Mobell Japan was also in attendance to give-away three IDEOS Android Phones, that can be used in over 190 countries worldwide, as part of a number of different prize draws on the night. We certainly attracted a lot of attention, with people keen to talk to us about what we could offer them as International Travellers, which was fantastic.
It was a pleasure for us to support this event and we wish Konishiki every success in the future, for both him and his foundation.
Doing business in another country requires more than just a knowledge of the language or a good interpreter. Communication on an international level requires knowledge of basic business etiquette in the country where you are doing business. So before you pick up your international phones and call your business associate across the ocean, make sure you know the proper way to communicate.
England
Business etiquette in Britain is quite formal. Because of the reserved nature of most Britons, small talk is generally frowned upon. When doing business, be friendly, but get to the point of your conversation. Call people by their title and last name, not first name, when initiating business conversation. Try to talk in complete sentences, as the American tendency to talk in run-ons and fragments annoys most British listeners. Initiate conversation with a question. When negotiations are in order, it is best to send a senior representative of the company, not a young employee. Business cards are exchanged at the end of a meeting, so be prepared. Always be punctual to appointments, and if you must be late, call. It is always best to rent a Europe phone when traveling to Britain on business so you can make a call if needed.
Japan
Be prepared to dress up when doing business in Japan, as Japanese business etiquette does not accept the causal American business attire. Always wait to be directed to your seat for a meeting, as the seating indicates the status of the meeting’s participants and will be determined beforehand. Always wait for the leader of the meeting to tell you to sit, and remain seated until the leader stands at the end of the meeting. Always give a small gift to your host, and if you receive a gift, do not open it in public. Ignoring proper business etiquette in Japan could jeopardize your business in the country, so learn them well.
Spain
While Spanish business etiquette may conjure up images of kisses on the cheek, it is slightly more formal today. Greetings typically occur with a traditional handshake, followed by a local greeting. The people are outgoing, so business deals almost always happen in a face-to-face environment. Early meetings are focused on building a relationship, so it may take a few meetings for the actual business deal to happen. All agreements will be made orally first, followed by a written document. Punctuality is not as important in the Spanish culture, so do not be upset of your host is quite late. Interruptions are common and accepted during business conversations.
China
In Chinese business culture, it is considered impolite to respond with a negative reply. If the answer is “no,” say “maybe” instead. When your Chinese associates do the same, remember that they are responding in the negative. Small talk is important, specifically as it relates to travel and China. Use black and white for printed materials in order to avoid the special meanings behind colors in the Chinese culture. Remember that belief in Communism will guide all negotiations. The Chinese believe strongly in the principle of “saving face,” so do not do anything to embarrass your host. Do bring plenty of business cards, with one side printed in Chinese, as these will be freely distributed. Make sure your card has your title and the distinctions of your business, and print it in gold ink, as Chinese culture values this as the color of prosperity and success.
India
In Indian business culture, visitors are expected to be punctual, but the Indians are rarely on time for appointments. Appointments should be made a few months in advance if possible. Small talk is accepted and enjoyed, and the people tend to be open and friendly. Open disagreement between equals is considered aggressive, but those who are superior can openly share their disagreement. You must be able to exchange business cards in both business and social settings. English is the language of business. Hierarchy is important in this country, so try to talk to the highest person in the business that you can reach. Be prepared to rise and greet the leader of a business. The Indian people tend to respond better to male business professionals than women, so females doing business in the country will need to go the extra mile to gain attention, because the Indian business culture is still very male-centric.
Italy
When doing business in Italy, keep in mind that individualism and family are both highly valued. The Italian people like to do business with someone they already know. An introduction followed by a written letter prior to a business meeting is essential. Business meetings should not be held in August, when many people are on holiday. Dress well, including cuff links, jewelry, and watches when acceptable. Be considerate, start and end conversations with a handshake, and stand close to the person you are talking to. Do not try to create a sense of urgency in your presentation, but use small talk and eye contact to convey honesty and sincerity. Last minute changes to deals are common, but you are expected to stay firm in your original offer. Be prepared for the deliberation to take some time after the meeting is over, as long as a couple of months or more. Patience is valued when doing business in Italy.
Germany
Arrive just slightly early for business meetings, but never late, when conducting business in Germany. Handshakes are expected at the beginning and end of a meeting. Watch your German colleague for a signal as to whether or not it is appropriate to remove your jacket or tie, because formal dress is observed. Always use a formal academic degree when addressing a German if it is applies. Bring a gift, such as flowers, for the hostess if invited to your associate’s home. Be prepared with wine or quality office equipment when headed to a business meeting, because gifts are expected. Women should not wear perfume or lipstick in order to blend in with German culture.
Brazil
Brazilian culture highly emphasizes both family and personal relationships, so take some time to build your business contacts. You will get much further with someone you already know than a stranger when conducting business in Brazil. Time is not emphasized, so do not rush through things or make your hosts feel as though you are in a hurry. Even though the culture is informal, dress is not, so dress to impress. Handshakes are the common form of greeting, followed by the phrase muito prazer, which means “my pleasure.” Make eye contact when communicating, and always eat what is offered to you. Never bring up sensitive topics, such as deforestation, and never criticize your colleagues in public, as the personal pride of your business associate must be protected if you are going to have a successful meeting.
The Globalstar network was developed specifically with the business traveler in mind. They envisioned their customers as people who were working on the fringes of cellular networks, crossing in and out of coverage areas. Therefore they designed a compact tri-band handset that would work on both the cellular AMPS and CDMA networks and, the Globalstar network of 48 Low Earth Orbiting satellites. These satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 875 miles.
The phones are designed to switch seamlessly between the cellular networks and the satellite network, even during a call. The phone will always use the cellular networks if available. Only when these are not available will they link to the satellite network. By using this method the idea was to offer the best cost effective service, you would only use the more expensive satellite service when there was no alternative.
The downside of the Globalstar system is its coverage area. By operating on the AMPS and CDMA standards they have limited themselves to the localities where those standards are supported. At the moment this includes the Americas, Russia, and parts of Asia. Likewise their satellite network coverage area is limited compared to those of its rivals. They can only offer service in about 100 countries, their territorial waters and some mid ocean waters.
Globalstar, like Inmarsat have developed their data and fax transfer capabilities, using a laptop or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) email and Internet access are possible, but like their voice service, they can only offer limited coverage.
They also share the same problem as Iridium in that there is a higher risk of loosing signals due to the need to send them via a number of satellites before connecting them with their destination.
Inmarsat, the first mobile satellite system to be conceived, is a great example of how the technology has emerged from a niche market and been made available to all. Originally designed for the maritime industry, they now have over 100,000 registered Mini-M satellite phone terminals that are used across a broad range of industries.
The Inmarsat network consists of four geo-stationary satellites 35,600km above the Earth. The satellites are positioned at equatorial points over the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Eastern and Western sides of the Atlantic. The ‘footprint’ created by this configuration is able to provide almost total global communication coverage with the exception of the Poles. The first advantage that this gives Inmarsat is, once a signal is sent to a satellite, its individual ‘footprint’ is often large enough to deliver that signal to its destination without having to transfer via another satellite first. This minimizes the risk of the signal being lost.
The main argument that has been levelled against Inmarsat terminals regards their size; they are comparable to modern laptop computers. Inmarsat rivals, Iridium and Globalstar, use handsets that are far more akin to cellular phones, which it is claimed, weigh less and are easier to use.
This is not an entirely unfair point; it is true that Inmarsat equipment is larger than that of its contemporaries. Where they can out perform Iridium and Globalstar is in their ability to transfer data and faxes. This lends Inmarsat much more effectively to the setting up of semi-permanent offices where, along side voice facilities, more capable fax and data services are required. When used in this capacity Inmarsat’s size ceases to become such an issue.
Inmarsat are planning to expand this service with their next generation satellites, due to go live in 2005. These will support B-GAN (Broadband Global Area Network). B-GAN, it is claimed, will be 100 times more powerful than the current generation of satellites and, will have 10 times the capacity. With this increase Inmarsat are aiming to supply superior Internet, Intranet and video services as well as voice, fax and data.
Iridium is probably the most famous, or rather notorious, of the satellite systems on the market. They very publicly went bankrupt in 1999; one year after the service was launched. However, Motorola Inc. stepped in and settled their debts. Iridium was re-launched in 2001 and has been operating ever since.
Iridium’s mission was to create a satellite service that would provide truly global coverage, a service that Inmarsat and Globalstar have not yet realised. To achieve this the Iridium network uses 66 satellites, 450 miles high, orbiting the globe on 6 different planes. Travelling at 16,832 miles per hour, each satellite is able to circle the globe every 100 minutes.
This configuration ensures that an Iridium handset will be able to send and receive calls from any location on the planet (the only exceptions to this being countries who have declined to support the service for political reasons). As long as the handset has a clear line of site to the sky it will maintain communication with at least two satellites at any one time.
The main criticism that has been levelled at Iridium is the fact that they are limited in their data and fax capabilities. The service is available but not to the standards that Inmarsat and Globalstar can provide.
Also, as mentioned briefly in regards to Inmarsat’s service, Iridium run a higher risk of loosing a signal once it has been sent. This happens because they rely on the passing of signals via a number of satellites before routing them to their final destinations. The more links in the chain, the greater the chance of the signal being lost.
Every so often we nominate some of the internets best blogs about travel, and list them here. We often read travel blogs, some of the popular ones, and the not so known ones.
We will be rewarding blogs with brilliant content, such as travel diaries, travel tips, travel gadget recommendations, and anything we find informative or interesting with our travel blog award seal.
..want to concentrate on the scenery rather than not getting your bags stolen?
Check out the top five safest countries as voted for by Mobal Members, and a few of the reasons why:
1. Japan = 33%
“The safest country to travel is Japan. This is the one of the most advanced country in the world and still very safe. People can have a nap during subway ride. People ( including young females) can walk back home from the train station even after midnight. If you lose your wallet in the street, there is a very high chance to be returned to you without damage. There are no guns on the street. I am from Japan originally, living in the US for more than 10 years, and travel all over the world. I truely think Japan is the safest country.”
Tomoko
“The safest country I’ve visited is Japan. My brother left a briefcase on a train line in Tokyo, and it was still on the train when the train looped around Tokyo and back to the station where he left it. Taxi drivers will go out of their way to return anything you may have left in the taxi. You can walk late at night in many sections of Tokyo without worrying.”
No name
“The safest country I have ever visited is Japan. My wife and I always knew that we had nothing to fear in walking down dark streets at night – something that I would not do in the States.” Tom
“Anywhere in Japan.” jK
2. Iceland = 26%
“I have traveled professionally and privately as well as with with my family for more than forty years. The safest country I have come across was Iceland. Over 50% of Icelanders live in their capital Reykiavik. The entire country must have a population of some 500’000 souls. Reykiaviks Police force counts less than 30 man and they are unarmed. A travel guide enlightened us to the fact that the police is unarmed so they don’t get hurt by shooting themselves accidently into their feet. Over a period of over 100 years not a single murder has taken place in Iceland. Iceland has many exiting natural wonders to see.It is called the Island of fire and ice with volcanos, geysers and glaciers. If you intend to take a dip in Reykiaviks public swimming pool please be aware that the water had to be cooled down as it comes from hot springs the same as most drinking water in the city. Iceland is safer than even the Vatican.”
Peter Basler
Iceland I think is the safest. Even in summer it’s so windy and has such changeable weather that there are very few people out and about. So therefore hardly any who could potentially be thieves! And it is a very interesting (albeit small) country. Looks like the moon from the air….Next or equal would be Norway (where I lived for five years), more or less for the same reasons.
Paula
“It’s Iceland, the safest, by far. Successful egalitarian socio-capitalism, very little immigration, people are pretty content. I was stationed there in the 1980s, I imagine it has changed little.”
Lance Duchesneau
In Iceland, everybody knows everybody else. They leave babies outside alone in buggies on the sidewalks of Reykjavik to sunbathe.
No name
3. Singapore = 16%
“Safety is made up of more than just freedom from crime. It also includes freedom from disease and from unhygienic conditions.
The safest country I have visited is Singapore, where you can wander the alleys and kampongs any hour of the day or night. You can even get lost in the jungles around the central reservoir overnight with little fear of attack by the venomous snakes or giant monitor lizards. You won’t even catch a chill!
And the food! You can buy — dirt cheap — healthy and delicious Chinese, Indian, Malay and who-knows-what other cooking from warm and friendly hawkers. And then there is the fruits you will find — delicious and healthful. Singapore is a gourmand’s delight.
Singapore is not safe for only one activity — drug use. But few would be stupid enough to test the Singaporean authorities on that issue.”
Mark Clark
“The safest country I’ve visited is Singapore by a wide margin”
Gene Polhemus
4. New Zealand = 14%
“New Zealand is the safest country to visit. We were there for two weeks some years back with a tour, but we often went out for walks, jogs and bike rides on our own. The first evening we stood at a corner trying to figure out which way to go next, when a young couple drove up and asked if we needed help or a ride back to our hotel. That happened again during our stay there. The people of New Zealand are a delight and they like Americans.”
Julia Stalins
“We haven’t felt unsafe in most countries, but New Zealand was the safest. The people are friendly (we have lasting friends from our visit), the folks in the hospitality industry make every effort to take care of the visitor, and you never have a sense there is a crime problem…..like the US in the 50′s.”
Harlan Hobbs
5. Austria = 10%
“I would nominate Austria with Denmark and Germany running a close second. While I have hardly visited all countries, nor have I gone around throughout those countries, I have walked late at night in major cities and smaller towns and never felt in danger. In fact, I went to a soccer (football) game with a friend in Linz which was so boring (the game not the friend) I drank too much of the poor quality beer sold in the stands. While fumbling with my money at a concession stand I felt a hand on my shoulder and a really tough-looking fan handed me a 20 euro bill I had dropped on the ground. I thanked him, offered to buy him a beer – smart man, he turned down the offer – and just said something like “You should be more careful.” I tried to strike up a further conversation but I guess an somewhat enebriated, careless American tourist didn’t interest him.”
Richard (Dick) Pilgrim
And here are the runners up (in no particular order):
Australia
Sweden
Ireland
Portugal
Germany
Finland
Denmark
Norway
Swizerland
After last month’s (mistaken) link to the most dangerous countries in the world, one Mobal Member asked me if I knew the safest countries in the world.
I thought this would be a perfect question to ask you — what is the safest country you’ve ever visited and why?
Email your answers to michael@mobalphone.com
I’ll count up the votes for each country and let you know the 10 safest as voted for by the Mobal Members in the next newsletter!
2. Best Mobal World Phone tip:
Put all your numbers into your phonebook before you travel so you don’t have to carry around 2 phones when you arrive. Include hotels, taxis, and of course Mobal. This is a great way to kill time in the airport.
3. Have you ever had a time when abroad when your cell phone has been invaluable?
I got my wallet stolen so I was able to call my bank to cancel the cards.
4. Your best holiday experience ever and why?
Living in Spain for the summer – sun, sea and sand is all you need
5. Your worst holiday experience and why?
Being delayed for 10 hours in a freezing (and boring) airport in Spain.
6. Dream holiday destination:
Thailand
7. Favourite travel tip or product:
Being a girl I always have loads of toiletries which takes up a lot of room. Use small containers to put your shampoo / conditioner / body lotion in, then you can throw them away before you return. That way there’s more room in your suitcase for shopping! 8. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would it be and why?
I couldn’t think of an animal so I’m going to be a shoe instead…no reason just because I love shoes!
Research a Destination
Paperwork
Health and Insurance
Contact
Enrolling Your Trip
