Everything you need to know about using your iPhone abroad

I’ve written in the past, both here on the blog and in The Ultimate Study Abroad Guide, about the big role communication plays in the study abroad experience. I’m now realizing it’s more like “the big role the iPhone plays in the study abroad experience”. However, due to Apple’s tight restrictions, using the calling, messaging, and data features on the iPhone when you’re abroad can come with some hefty international roaming charges.  I created this guide to help you navigate your options for using those features when you’re no longer in America. Read the rest of this entry

How to see the best of Xi’an in two days

Just mingling with the ladies of Xi'an

This past weekend was our last CET organized excursion, the Xi’an Historical Trip. In Chinese, the characters “西安” in Xi’an literally mean “Western Peace”. I’ll admit I was a bad traveler, and neglected to do any research beforehand. I associate any place in Western China with the desert, comparatively spicy food, Islam, and rock cut cave dwellings. Needless to say I was a little surprised when we arrived in a place that had a pretty strong resemblance to Beijing (bad traffic, polluted air, high rises built next to ancient architecture, family run butcher shops next to McDonald’s, all of which can be called the best attempt at preserving culture while promoting modernity).

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15 tips that will make your 14 hour flight (or any flight for that matter) less awful

Your temporary 14 hour home

This was supposed to be the first post that I wrote in China. I figured since I hadn’t had the time to go around Beijing and do some crazy, interesting, an possibly illegal stuff to pique your interests, I was going to record what I was doing every hour on the hour during my 14 hour flight and create a mini-survival documentary (take notes Bear Grylls). Long story short, I just bought a new camera and forgot to charge it before I left, so no video. However, I thought I would at least relay some tips on how to survive in a 2 x 3 x 4 transparent jail cell known as a plane seat while literally traveling to the other side of the world.

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Advice on finding the right outlet adapter and power converter

Because fireworks belong outside your room

There’s one thing (well actually a lot of things) I forgot to pack which would have made my first night abroad a little easier. While it’s mentioned 17 times in almost every study abroad departure guide, I’m pretty sure most students seem to neglect this little gem when buying supplies to head abroad and while packing their suitcases the night before they leave. I’m talking about an outlet adapter and/or converter, and if you’re not electrically inclined, buying one of these can be a little daunting. That being said, after reading this post you should have enough electrical know-how to tackle it with ease.

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My favorite low cost airline

It’s no secret that one of my favorite parts of studying abroad was traveling, and having made it to 11 countries, it’s safe to say I did plenty of it. I plan on doing just as much traveling when I head abroad this fall, but since China includes so many regions with their own geography, climate, and culture, I don’t know how big of a rush I’ll be in to leave The Middle Kingdom.

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