Telephone and Computer Access

Telephone (land-line or cell) and computer and email access while abroad will vary depending on the location. Programs located in Europe, Oceania, and urban settings will usually have higher likelihood of access than those in more remote or rural settings. While more and more locations are accessible by cellphone or internet, your best source of information will be the program's contact person who is more familiar with the local situation.

In general, locally (on-site) purchased phone cards and cell phones are more practical and economical than US long-distance calling cards. However, families may want to make sure that they have an international calling card so that the overseas student can call them easily. The student should be certain to carry along the appropriate access code (this varies from country to country). Site-specific details on telephone usage and purchase of cell phones will be available during on-site orientation.

All students on Colby programs will have e-mail available, although access is much more limited than in the US. While phone and e-mail contact are invaluable for keeping in touch, an unfortunate trend is for students abroad to spend more time on e-mail and telephone interacting with people at home than actually meeting people in their new country! Additionally, you may tend to hear from your son or daughter when things are not going so well. Usually, the student feels much differently the next day, but neglects to call you about the positive change. While we encourage students to inform their families of changes in status and their positive experiences, you can always contact the resident director if you have serious concerns or are unsure of your son or daughter's progress. Be aware that it is fairly common to receive despairing phone calls early in the semester. These moments should be handled with sympathy, but also placed into the context of cultural adjustment and homesickness.