My dd is going overseas

[luvmyfam444]

for a couple of weeks this summer. What is the best way for her to get phone service? We have Verizon.
Also, what is the best app for translatiion?

 

[TippyThomas]

for a couple of weeks this summer. What is the best way for her to get phone service? We have Verizon.
Also, what is the best app for translatiion?

What languages do you need to translate?

 

[allison443]

We recently set it up with Verizon to use our service while in London. It was $10 per day.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Probably the simplest way to get phone service is to add on the Verizon $100 monthly plan, which includes 250 minutes of voice and unlimited data. I know she's only going for 2 weeks but the monthly plan would still work out cheaper as daily is $10 per day.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We used to use the app, Whats App which was over the internet so it was free. Not sure what other apps are out there now but it worked for our needs, which was just chit chat. It is owned by Meta.

 

[Colleen27]

We didn't set up cell service at all, just turned on wifi calling and used Messenger and Line for most of our communications. Verizon does offer pay-as-you-go service in addition to the flat-rate $10/day or $100/mo international plans, and for us it was cheaper to pay the $0.25 per text and $2ish per minute for voice for the very limited bit we used our devices than it would have been to add a comprehensive international plan. But those rates and the availability of wifi both vary by country, so the destination could make a difference in how best to handle communication.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Also, what is the best app for translatiion?

We use Google Translate. Worked well for us.

 

[mousefan73]

Wifi is everywhere and with whatsapp she can call/video or with FB messenger. or Facetime. I would just make sure for emergency she can add from her phone day passes in case she is off the track and needs cellular. For me 100 for a month flat on top is alot but for some that's worth the money.

 

[Karin1984]

Wifi is everywhere and with whatsapp she can call/video or with FB messenger. or Facetime. I would just make sure for emergency she can add from her phone day passes in case she is off the track and needs cellular. For me 100 for a month flat on top is alot but for some that's worth the money.

We don't know yet where DD is going. If it is the jungle in Asia or South America I would expect less wifi options

 

[mikehn]

Well if its the jungle there probably wont be any cell service anyways

 

[QueenIsabella]

We use Whatsapp for Europe. When my daughter was in Poland, she sent messages and photos through Facebook.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Also, I've mentioned that DS17 is going to the Scout World Jamboree in August. He was just tasked with learning to say basic phrases in 25 languages. This is right up his alley--he's already made flashcards. He liked Google translate--some other site he tried "spoke" in a dialect that was tougher to understand. He also said that writing in Japanese was trickier than Arabic. He's really enjoying this assignment.

 

[LuvOrlando]

In the jungle, ok so I believe there are satellite services available for laptops. I don't know too much about it other than it exists & is a bit expensive but maybe if your child shares connectivity with other people going you can reduce the costs. To me, being able to connect with my child in a remote place would be a big thing.

 

[Moliphino]

We use Google Translate. Worked well for us.

And you can download a language to be able to use it offline, which comes in handy.

When I travel with my sister (and sometimes parent/s) we rent a wifi hotspot to share between all of us when we're out and about. It comes out cheaper than using Verizon's plans.

When I did my summer abroad in 2007 I got an unlocked phone and a European SIM card to be able to call home (smart phones weren't quite a thing yet).

 

[mjkacmom]

Wifi is everywhere and with whatsapp she can call/video or with FB messenger. or Facetime. I would just make sure for emergency she can add from her phone day passes in case she is off the track and needs cellular. For me 100 for a month flat on top is alot but for some that's worth the money.

Our whole family has the Verizon $10 a day plan and has for years, even if it’s not used it’s there if needed.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

My daughter is headed to Australia in 3 weeks for 6 months. My husband recommended the What's App as he uses it a lot when he travels internationally. We will also face time over WiFi. I believe her company will pay the Verizon fee also, but she is researching.