New River Academy Whitewater Kayak School

Pucon, Chile
February 25, 2008

This past week I enjoyed teaching the New River Academy leadership class international logistics. A favorite topic was international communication. Technology has made it convenient and inexpensive for the well-informed traveler to communicate internationally. Lets explore a few tips that have helped our program keep in close contact with families as we explore the world.

Traveling may change your perspective in ways you never would have imagined.

International Land Phones: Most international destinations have call centers where you pay per minute of use.
Pros- These are possibly the most reliable for international calls with the best reception.
Cons- Call centers can cost upto $1/minute. Check the rates before calling your girlfriend.

International Cell Phones: You have two options: A. Buy a cell in your host country, or B. Learn to use your US cell internationally.
Pros- Mandatory for international logistics, great for incoming international calls, and offers text messaging.
Cons- Costs and outgoing international calls are to be considered.
A. Buying a cell in your host country- this is easy. You will have to upgrade your minutes with cell phone call cards designed to add minutes as you use them. You can buy these in every country at call centers.
B. Using your personal cell internationally- this maybe the preferred method as you can save money and have access to your own phone. Lets review the process:
a. How many frequencies does your cell have? There are four separate frequencies that cells use. Your cell will need to have capabilities of switching to a minimum of three. Check with your cell provider to review how many frequencies your cell has or buy a cell with multiple frequencies.
b. Locked or unlocked cell? In order to switch your US based frequency to your host countries frequency it has to be unlocked. Many cells are unlocked, but just as many are locked. Call your service provider to see if your cell is locked. If it is ask them how to unlock it. Some are not capable of being unlocked and are therefore incapable of international use.
Unlocking a cell phone should be a matter of turning off your cell, removing the SIM card, repowering with your SIM card, and punching in an unlock code you acquire from your provider or an online unlock agency.
C. Buying international minutes- Ok, you have a phone with multi-frequencies, have unlocked your cell, and are now in some exotic country. There are always tons of call centers ranging from Bellsouth, Entel, Moviestar, and other cellular companies that you will have to find. You will need to buy a new SIM card for around $10-$20 US. Lastly, ask to have minutes added to your phone with one of their programmed cellular minutes cards. I have done this in countries where I spoke less than 5 words of the language.

Internet Communication: “Wow!” I thought after using Skype’s international e-phone service. Now, after experiencing broken contact, echoes, often no reception of audio on one end, and heavy background noise I frustratingly continue to attempt to configure Skype to work.
Pros- Great price at $US.02/minute international.
Cons- Broken contact, often no audio on one end, background noise, and must have good Internet connection.

Skyping is easy but can be frustrating. Goto www.skype.com and download the tools to your computer. You will have to buy a head set with microphone for your computer. If you buy a quality headset you will save yourself hours of torment. Make sure both your microphone and headphones will work with your laptop and Skype.
International cyber-cafes are often carrying Skype on their computers. But don’t count on it. Cyber-cafes often offer international call centers, and Skype kills the calling center profit margins.

Calling cards: If you have a reliable land line then a calling card can offer the best connection at a great rate. Nobelcom.com is a bucket shop for a variety of international calling cards. Rates, comments, and quality of each card are all described. Just surf to http://nobelcom.com/
Pros: Great rates and connection with a well researched card.
Cons: You must have a land line and buying the wrong card can be frustrating. Pay a couple of extra cents/minute for a higher quality card.

David Hughes is the founder of the New River Academy.
Then New River Academy is now accepting 2008-09 applications. http://www.kayakschool.org/admissions.html