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Studying abroad with Verizon.

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netpa

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So I'll be studying abroad this summer in Spain. I have a smartphone contract with Verizon right now with my Fascinate and I love the phone, but I know it won't work over there and I wanted to get some opinions before my 30 days are up to trade in for the D2G.

Is it worth it to have a phone over there if I'll just be there for 3 months, or should I just buckle down and manage without one?
If it is worth it, would it be better to just rent a phone while I'm there? Or should I go for the D2G and just rent the SIM card? I know plans can be pretty cheap over there, but I have no earthly idea how much a rental phone would be.
 
If you live the phone leave it home and buy yourself a cheap prepaid phone from att and use it over in Spain with a local carrier. Paying Verizon's international rates will kill u.
 
I wasn't planning on using Verizon's service. I was hoping to get a prepaid SIM card from some carrier over there instead. Unless I'm missing something and that wouldn't work >.>
 
you are in another country...
everything will be wierd..
new language...
every place you go will be new..
signs and instructions in a new language...
you might visit other surrounding countries with other languages...
you will see great new places...
beautiful sites.. interesting people...
you will miss your family and friends...
you want to share things with people...

do you really want to be with out a device that will be able to help you in all that???

me.. i would want to keep my android phone with me.. keep me intouch.. not lost... translator... memory keeper... note taker..

but that is just me.
 
I mean...I'm good with spanish. I've taken a conversational class and understand pretty much everything. Internet connection is no issue at all in the dorm I'll be at and classrooms so I'll have that, and around 200 other kids from my college are going, too. So it's not like I'll be completely lost and alone over there.

Being connected would still be awesome though.
 
Spain is a like the Philippines so I would agree with Andrea get a cheap basic phone and get a SIM card. Spain isn't all that connected like where you are from. You can just buy a sim card and phone, it's pretty cheap. Prepaid is much cheaper than post paid plans.

My friend went to Spain, people are very friendly BUT he is Spanish (half actually). You're a foreigner that and carrying around an expensive phone will make you a great target for those that will take advantage.

There's a lot of cheap alternatives other than apps on the phone. A pocket phrase book instead of a translator app, an actual map to name a few.
 
netpa said:
So I'll be studying abroad this summer in Spain. I have a smartphone contract with Verizon right now with my Fascinate and I love the phone, but I know it won't work over there and I wanted to get some opinions before my 30 days are up to trade in for the D2G.

Is it worth it to have a phone over there if I'll just be there for 3 months, or should I just buckle down and manage without one?
If it is worth it, would it be better to just rent a phone while I'm there? Or should I go for the D2G and just rent the SIM card? I know plans can be pretty cheap over there, but I have no earthly idea how much a rental phone would be.
Click to expand...

You have a long ways to go before you go to Spain. I'd recommend just getting a prepaid phone. Don't get an expensive phone if you're only going to be there for 3 months. I'm going to get a smartphone while in France for a year but only because I'm there for an academic year on a 1 year contract.
 
but if he can get a world phone.. now..here... that can be used there.... just by adding a prepaid sim card.. I personally think it is worth having.

is europe that shady that you can not have a nice phone walking around?
do you have to flash your bling at everyone?

I never really thought of our smartphones as bling... but I dont understand why people get robbed for their shoes either!
 
I guess there needs to be clarifications. If you get a smartphone on Verizon and has to be on the Verizon contract... then is it worth having to pay the monthly Verizon bill on top of the prepaid card in Europe? Are you no matter what going to be on a Verizon contract by the time you're in Europe? If you are... then might as well just bring your smartphone to Europe since you have to pay the Verizon monthly bill anyways.

Where are you staying in Spain? If you're going to be in Madrid... then I would NOT recommend having an expensive phone as Madrid is the pickpocketing capital of the world. In my group (15 of us), 8 of us were pickpocketed or attempted to be pickpocketed by the time we left 2 days later.
 
^^^ wow.. 8/15 that nutz!

but.. I think... if you call your carrier.. tell them you will be out of country for x months... they will suspend your contract for that time... you do still have to full fill the number of active months on contract. the suspended months do not count.. and you are not charged during those months. there is a limit, i am sure.
 
Spain is fine except for (as Vihzel said) Madrid, its Police force is awful, and the more Southern regions (North African's and down on luck Brits :rolleyes:)

I'd do a bit of research on the place first
its not quite as developed as more Northern EU countries but its far from poverty stricken

coming from Ireland (a US-esque state) I find Southern Europe quite laid back, they'll work real hard then lunch for two hours, and you may find yourself stuck for a while (even in cities with +50K ppl)


I'd recommend you take a budget Android uin case you lose it/damage it, the Blade would be perfecrt if your stopping in Portuagal :p
 
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