by Dan Kasper, International Education Coordinator, Stanton
When is the last time you looked at a map? No, not a map on your phone or the computer. An actual paper map. For most of us it’s been a very long time, and some of you may have never looked at a map at all. Not too long ago, all you really needed to travel was a map, a pocket-sized notebook, your passport, and your wallet/purse (in addition to your luggage, of course).
For better or worse, modern travelers have many more options for travel assistance - most of these are available for your phone, and many are free. There are so many options that it is difficult to figure out which ones are useful and which ones are not.
I am more of a map & paper guy myself, but I do use some apps. Here are some that I’ve found particularly useful. In this post, I go over the more commonly used ones, and in a future post I’ll dig into some others.
But before I begin, one important piece of financial advice: unless you are prepared to pay a lot of extra money, turn your phone on “airplane mode” as soon as you get on the plane and do not turn it off until you return to the U.S. Airplane mode will turn off your cell receiver so you cannot receive any calls or texts (you can always turn it back on in an emergency!). But it will detect wifi signals, which will allow you to use internet-based apps when wifi is available.
Also, remember that the whole point of traveling is to experience a foreign country! You can spend time on your phone when you return. As much as possible, leave your phone in your pocket.
For better or worse, modern travelers have many more options for travel assistance - most of these are available for your phone, and many are free. There are so many options that it is difficult to figure out which ones are useful and which ones are not.
I am more of a map & paper guy myself, but I do use some apps. Here are some that I’ve found particularly useful. In this post, I go over the more commonly used ones, and in a future post I’ll dig into some others.
But before I begin, one important piece of financial advice: unless you are prepared to pay a lot of extra money, turn your phone on “airplane mode” as soon as you get on the plane and do not turn it off until you return to the U.S. Airplane mode will turn off your cell receiver so you cannot receive any calls or texts (you can always turn it back on in an emergency!). But it will detect wifi signals, which will allow you to use internet-based apps when wifi is available.
Also, remember that the whole point of traveling is to experience a foreign country! You can spend time on your phone when you return. As much as possible, leave your phone in your pocket.
- Google Translate (Android, iOS/iPhone) - Free
- If you are traveling to a non-English speaking country, Google Translate can be essential. While not perfect at capturing the nuance of languages, it is an excellent tool for simple translations when out and about. I don’t suggest using it to translate whole sentences, but it’s great for single words and simple phrases.
- One great aspect of Google Translate is that there is an offline version available for download, which means that you don’t have to have cell or internet service to use it. This can be handy if you don’t have wifi or do not want to pay the exorbitant fee to use your cell phone internationally. To do this, just download a language pack.
- Google Translate also has a new feature called “Word Lens,” which allows you to take a picture of a sign (e.g. sign in front of a store or on the street) and it will translate it for you.
- Google Maps (Android, iOS/iPhone) - Free
- Google Maps is useful in many places over the world, as long as you have an internet or cell connection. You can use all of Google’s regular features (search for restaurants, interesting sites, etc.) integrated with digital maps. Google maps will give you driving AND walking directions, and can even help with public transportation options.
- Google Street View is available in places all over the world. It allows you to be “in the map” and see what you would see if you were walking in the street. This can be a good way to look for locations, landmarks, and/or specific sites before you go. For example, If you want to get a sneak peek at the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome, you can find it on Google Maps or click here to see the Street View.
- I have not used Apple Maps, but they apparently have worked out most of the kinks that were there when they launched a few years ago. See this website for a discussion about the differences between Google and Apple.
- WhatsApp (Android, iOS/Phone) - Free
- Texting from other countries can be extremely expensive! But perhaps even more importantly, it can be extremely expensive to receive texts while abroad. WhatsApp allows you to send texts over a wifi connection only.
- International text plans (Android, iOS/iPhone) – Cost Depends on Carrier
- This is not technically an app, but it important to go over anyway. International calling plans are prohibitively expensive for all but the most well-heeled travelers. But most major carriers offer reasonably priced international text plans. Check with your provider, but the major ones should all offer unlimited international texts (in many countries) for around $20 for an entire month. It is nice to have this option to communicate with your faculty leader or to meet up with friends while traveling.