Smart ways to stay connected during student trips abroad
Studying abroad, even for a short time, is an exciting adventure. Whether it’s a two-week research trip to Boston, month-long summer course in Singapore or turning your language programme in Spain into a mini-vacation, Edinburgh students are increasingly taking short trips abroad – but the challenge is staying connected without overspending.
You’ve just landed at your destination. Jet-lagged and overwhelmed, you pull out your phone to let your family know you’re safe — only to see that dreaded ‘No Service’ message.
Meanwhile, your mounting roaming charges are already giving you a knot in your stomach. Sound familiar?
Short study programmes and their challenges
The University of Edinburgh offers numerous short-term study opportunities worldwide. These include summer schools in the USA, language intensives across Europe, research visits to Asia, academic conferences globally and those extra days you might add to explore the local culture. While these trips enrich both your education and life experience, they come with practical challenges — especially staying connected while managing costs.
Picture this: You’re a third-year student from Edinburgh studying in Boston. Between tuition fees, grocery shopping and trying to FaceTime your family back home, every pound counts. And those mobile bills? They can really sneak up on you.
Sure, your regular phone provider (like Three, EE or Vodafone) offers roaming, but brace yourself — those charges can give you quite a shock! Take Vodafone, for example. They split countries into zones (A, B, C, D and ‘Rest of the World’). Heading to the USA? Unless it’s included in your plan, you’re looking at £6 to £7.39 extra per day for calls, texts and up to 25GB of data. Even Europe is cheaper but adds up fast — at around £2.42 per day, your monthly bill could make your eyes water.
The smarter alternative: eSIM technology
Imagine you’re video calling your family back in Edinburgh to show them your new life in Boston — your cosy dorm room, the bustling campus, maybe even your first attempt at cooking dinner. The last thing you want is your call dropping or seeing those scary roaming charges pop up on your screen. This is where a smart solution comes in.
Let’s talk real savings with Yesim's eSIM solution. Heading to the USA for a research conference means paying just £23.40 for a week of unlimited data — that’s 57% less than typical roaming fees. Add a few extra days to explore Boston or New York? No problem — 15 days of unlimited data costs only £38.70.
For that language course in Spain, you’re looking at £34.20 for two weeks of unlimited browsing, video calls and social media. That’s a 69% saving compared to traditional roaming charges that could cost you nearly £100 for the same period.
And if you’re venturing down under for an Australian summer school? A month of unlimited data sets you back just £40.50 — an impressive 81% less than standard roaming rates. Even a quick week-long research visit costs only £19.80 for unlimited data, perfect for those long video calls back home showing off the Sydney Opera House.
Compare these to traditional UK providers charging £2-7 per day abroad, and the savings become crystal clear. Plus, with Yesim, you’ll never face unexpected charges — the price you see is what you pay.
Staying connected for international students in Edinburgh
Scottish universities have seen a record number of international students in recent years, making up nearly a third of the total student body. At the University of Edinburgh alone, out of 49,065 students, 19,080 come from abroad. The largest proportion of international students are from China, with significant exchanges also from India, Nigeria, the USA and Canada.
Yesim provides affordable options for international students in the UK. A month of unlimited data costs £53.10 (£1.77 per day), which is much more affordable than standard roaming charges. For short trips, a weekly plan is available for £24.30.
Essential travel tips for students
Setting up an eSIM takes just minutes:
1. Download the Yesim app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Create an account.
3. Choose your destination’s data plan.
4. Scan the QR code in your phone’s settings to activate your eSIM.
Plan ahead by estimating your data needs: online lectures typically require 10GB per month, research work about 5GB, and video calls around 8GB. Additionally, always keep offline copies of essential documents, including embassy contacts, insurance details, and university support services.
Ready for your next academic adventure?
Download the Yesim app now and claim your free 500MB trial for select destinations. Set-up takes less than three minutes—so you’ll be connected even before your flight takes off!