9 Techs to Get Before Going Abroad Every Student Can Use
Are you a student who is preparing to study abroad and is getting overwhelmed with all of the preparations? While you're busy managing packing, accommodation, and finances, it’s easy to overlook essential technology that could make your international experience smoother and more enjoyable.
The right tech tools will help you navigate a new environment, let you stay in touch with your family and friends, and help you maximize your academic success. So, this article will focus on nine of the indispensable tech tools every student should consider before heading abroad.
1. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Staying connected is highly important, especially in the case of staying abroad. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot makes it very easy to access any kind of internet and allows you not to rely exclusively on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks that may not be available or safe.
Portable hotspots offer flexible plans, including pay-as-you-go and monthly subscriptions, making it easy to choose what suits your budget. Many portable hotspots are affordable, they can connect numerous devices and are well worth any investment for a student.
To maximize its effectiveness, pairing your portable hotspot with a global eSIM can provide seamless internet access across multiple countries without the hassle of swapping out SIM cards. This combination not only saves money on international roaming fees but also ensures that you remain connected throughout your travels, allowing you to focus on enjoying your time abroad.
2. Noise Canceling Headphones
Travel is noisy, be it on an airplane, train, or busy café. It can be distracting for a study-hog like you. Noise-canceling headphones become necessary for focusing on studies or unwinding during travel. They block out background noise, helping you concentrate on studying or letting yourself engage in your favorite music or podcast.
Lightweight and ideal for long hours, many models are suited for students on the go. More impressive, several of these noise-canceling headphones come with built-in microphones, perfect for hands-free calls and voice assistants.
3. Language Translation Apps
Language can be a significant barrier to overcome when relocating to a new country. Fortunately, technology helps bridge this language barrier. Many conversation apps are easily accessible, allowing someone to navigate through conversations, read signs, and understand many of the important phrases.
Many of these language apps go beyond just simple translation to include other features such as voice recognition and instant camera translation. These apps allow real-time translation of both written and spoken languages. This can be useful when trying to communicate with people at markets, restaurants, or when asking for directions.
4. E-Reader or Tablet
One of the biggest challenges of studying abroad, especially when you have luggage space to minimize carrying with you, is your big physical textbooks. An e-reader or tablet can light in itself and store hundreds of textbooks and resources digitally, thus cutting down on the burden greatly.
With an e-reader, you download from various sites any number of e-books, academic papers, or reference materials, hence having a library at your fingertips. They can also be used for other purposes: checking the web, taking notes, or even viewing movies if you happen to have some free time. This makes them a valuable addition to your study abroad toolkit.
5. Portable Charger
As an international student, you will probably be utilizing your mobile gadgets more frequently for navigation, communication, and study. A portable charger will save your smartphone, tablet, or e-reader during the day from running out of power.
Along with multiple ports, quick charging chargers will be really helpful for the busy days ahead when classes fill up your schedule and activities are at their highest demand. Many portable chargers are compact and lightweight and easily carried in a backpack or purse. Some versions come with built-in cables to remove one step from the rest of the process of plugging everything in.
6. Cloud Storage Solutions
To ensure security and accessibility, it is essential for students studying abroad to create digitized copies of important documents and files. Many reliable cloud storage services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, offer a safe environment for storing your documents, allowing you to access them easily from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cloud storage allows you the capacity to share files with friends, collaborate on a project basis, and have all those necessary files stored in a safe place where you can easily retrieve them even if your device is lost or harmed. Many cloud services will also enable you to sync files with multiple devices.
7. Travel Adapter and Converter
The shape of a plug and the voltage standard differs from one country to another so one of the essentials for a student moving abroad would be a travel adapter. A universal travel adapter allows you to accommodate quite a number of plug types so you do not have to stress over your devices running out of power.
If your devices aren't dual voltage, you'll also want to buy a voltage converter that will protect your electronics from damage caused by incompatible voltage levels. Having the right equipment ensures you can charge your devices, stay connected, and not risk damaging your electronics.
8. Fitness Tracker
Living a healthy lifestyle abroad can be challenging, especially when you're trying to settle into a new place. A fitness tracker is a device that can help you track your physical activity, patterns of sleep, and other health-related information.
Whether visiting a new city or attending classes, fitness trackers will encourage you to stay fit. Most of them come equipped with GPS, so whether it's for trekking outdoors or taking an excursion off campus, these gadgets will be useful for tracking distances covered during such activities. By monitoring the number of steps taken and promoting consistent exercise, fitness trackers can help you maintain your well-being as you experience culture shock.
9. Digital Planner
Staying organized is fundamental for any student, particularly when classes and social activities have to be on balance with such intense assignments in a new country. A digital planner allows you to monitor your schedule, deadlines, and work that you would like to accomplish on time. Furthermore, the majority of digital planners also give reminders, note-taking capabilities, and integration with other apps, making time management easier than ever.
Whether you are seeking something as simple as a calendar app or something a bit more detailed with respect to project management, keeping a digital planner is the most stress-reducing and amazing way to stay on top of responsibilities and duties. It’s especially helpful during the early days of adapting to a new environment of different academic systems and cultural practices that often take some time to adapt to.
Conclusion
Preparing for a study abroad experience is indeed so thrilling yet overwhelming. However, with this type of indispensable technological equipment, the experience goes a long way in mitigating stress related to settling into a new environment.
You'll find yourself very well-versed in the various means of staying connected through portable Wi-Fi hotspots, keeping fit with fitness trackers, and many more ways related to your studies and adventures abroad. Grab the opportunities that come with studying abroad, and these tools should find good use in supporting your journey. Happy travels ahead!
FAQs
- What is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, and why do I need one?
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a device that allows you to access the internet on multiple devices anywhere. It’s essential for staying connected without relying on public Wi-Fi, which may be insecure or unreliable.
- How can noise-canceling headphones benefit me while studying abroad?
Noise-canceling headphones block out background noise, helping you focus on studying or relaxing during travel. They’re ideal for creating a distraction-free environment in busy places.
- Why should I use language translation apps?
Language translation apps can help you communicate effectively in a foreign country by translating spoken and written language in real-time. They are invaluable for navigating conversations and understanding essential phrases.