Communication Station!

Be sure to communicate with your family soon after you arrive to let them know you are safe and sound! A quick phone call or e-mail can make them feel much better.

While you are abroad it is important to find ways to stay in touch with family and friends. They will all be anxious to hear about your experiences, and you will want to know what is happening at home. Some students have said that it is helpful to set up a communication plan with family and friends so everyone will know when you are available to make a call or receive a call. With time differences, inconsistent internet access, and the many excursions and activities you will be participating in, sometimes it can be difficult for you and your family to connect. Keep in mind that you are only abroad for one term, so you will want to make the most of it and be present for every experience that you have.

One way some students have stayed in touch and shared their experiences with many friends and family is through keeping a blog. This is an excellent way to communicate as it touches many people and can be flexible with time.

Communication Apps

Smart phone apps also work very well and allow students to text and call back home with ease. Usually Skype is the most popular app for communicating back home while overseas. However, it is illegal in Oman. Instead, we recommend you use Viber, Whatsapp, Facetime, or Google Hangouts and video chat.

#CISabroadtip: Download these apps before you go and make sure your friends and family have downloaded them too.

The country code for calling Oman is +968. If people want to call you while abroad, this website helps explain how to call different numbers in Oman. An important note is that calling a landline and cell phone are slightly different.

Cell Phones

If you have an American phone with a SIM card, it may be possible to only buy the SIM card in-country and not need to buy a basic phone. Please contact your cell phone provider for specific instructions.

Plan on not knowing your local cell phone number until you are in-country.