Moving to abroad is always exciting but it also comes with difficulties. After the anxiety of getting in an abroad university, there are essential things to do which needs more planning and focus. But who does it nowadays, when you have your phones to simplify your job. So, as people say “there’s an app for that,” it is true there are many mobile applications for needs. You just need to go through the App Store and type on the search option. Here we have found some popular apps that can track you on well-organized fellow and smoothen your journey with perfect abroad plans.
Preparation Apps
Skyscanner- Skyscanner is a quick and convenient way to find and book flights from any location to any destination providing all the necessary flight information, airlines and prices.
Kayak- Kayak is a multi-purpose travel app, helping you find and book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. It helps in comparing prices and travel packages among the various travel aggregators like Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline. Kayak is also handy for tracking flights, managing trips and itineraries, looking up baggage fees, and more.
Seat Guru- When on long-haul international flights, having a comfortable seat can make all the difference. Using Seat Guru, you can look up your flight by its flight number and view a detailed seat map of the assigned plane.
PackPoint- If you want to put together packing lists with little effort, PackPoint mobile app is made for you. Input your travel dates, location, and expected activities, and PackPoint returns a recommended packing list. The app takes weather into consideration when creating your list, so be rest assured that you won’t show up with a winter jacket on a summer day.
Hotel and Hostel Apps
HostelWorld- HostelWorld app is a hasty and secure way to book a hostel or budget properties worldwide with user reviews and detailed property information including photos and descriptions to help you decide where to stay.
Tripadvisor- Booking hotels and restaurants with the experienced overview from other travellers are always nice. Tripadvisor shows millions of reviews and opinions with ratings and comments.
Airbnb- If you are hunting for the place with the lowest price or craving a more local experience, then start searching on Airbnb. It allows services like rent out private and shared rooms, full apartments, condos and houses, as well. It is a great option for students when the prices at the chain and boutique hotels are beyond your budget.
Finance Apps
Trip Boss Expense & Budget– Trip Boss Expense & Budget was truly made for the conscious budget traveller. With Trip Boss, you can record and track expenses in 50+ expense categories, with the option to display foreign expenses in your home currency. You are also provided with a tip/split calculator and currency converter for bringing out the actual purchase, with facilities like taking photos of receipts for future use.
Mint – The Mint app allows you to track, budget and manage your money all in one place, so you are aware of the spending and savings. This app works at its best when you add your bank details, credit, loans and other accounts and it will automatically pull in and categorize your transactions. Mint generates a customized budget analyzing your actual spending. It also sends bill reminders, alerts right to your device so that you can avoid late fees and monitor cash flow. It’s safe, secure and easy to keep your personal finance organized.
Organizing Apps
Evernote- Evernote is all-in one free app with taking notes, capturing photos and saving in different formats. It is easy-to-use, that helps you to remember everything and stay organized. Evernote is also referred as to-do list app with additional like record voice reminders, making note that is completely searchable for home, work or anything. You can organize it with notebooks and tags, or email or share it with friends and classmates via Facebook and Twitter.
Dropbox – This app is best known for time-saving, by transferring content between your computer and your device. Dropbox automatically saves your photos, docs, and videos anywhere in your Dropbox account and can share them with friends with a couple of taps. It has also reached your computer or iPad/iPhone if they are linked to your account. Even if you accidentally lose iPhone, your stuff is always safe on Dropbox.
Communication Apps
Whatsapp Messenger- It is the ultimate app-to-app communication with friends, colleagues and family and that too in free of cost. It utilizes push notifications to instantly exchange pictures, audio notes and video messages. The app works in any Internet connection, whether it is 3G or Wi-Fi and there’s no charge for sending WhatsApp messages internationally.
Skype- Skype is mostly familiar for video calling, but also you can call and send instant messages to anyone for free. Skype Credit is used for voice or video calling and texting at very low rates.
Photography Apps
Prisma- Prisma transforms or filters your photos into masterpieces in the style of famous artists such as Van Gogh, Munch, Mondrian and Picasso. It uses an AI technique called style transfer to do its artistic magic, and it’s no longer restricted to still images; it now works on video as well.
Instagram- There is a reason why Instagram is so popular. It’s powerful, versatile, and best of all it’s free. Thanks to its connection with Twitter and Facebook, Instagram has also become a social media platform in itself. The latest version introduces combining several clips into one video.
Translation Apps
Google Translate- This is a must for study abroad students and others for staying in abroad. The app can translate words and phrases in more than 60 languages. It also had the ability to translate by speaking (depending on the language) instead of typing it, listen to your translations spoken aloud and access your translation history even when you’re offline.
Word Lens- Word Lens is a “real-time” translation app that you have to see to believe. The app uses augmented-reality technology to translate foreign text in the real-time. Just point the app at the text and watch Word Lens instantly transform it into English text.
And there you have it. While you don’t want to be the one glued to your phone’s screen the entire semester, if you need help while you’re abroad, you probably don’t need to look much further than the palm of your hand.
– Debasmita Dutta