It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re in a new country, miles out of your comfort zone. You won’t know the first thing about where you’re supposed to go or finding a place to stay. But you don’t have to be all alone on this new journey of your life. All you need is a mobile phone stocked with these 6 essential apps to help you get everything in order:
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CityMaps2Go
The first thing you need to do when you land in a new country is to get your cellphone set up. But where do you go to do that? You’ll need an internet connection to figure your way around.
Luckily, there’s an app that can help you out so you don’t end up lost in a big city. CityMaps2Go is an app that offers offline access to detailed maps right on your mobile phone. The app features updated maps with photos, tips, and comprehensive information regarding millions of destinations around the world. It’s a great option for travelers and hiking enthusiasts as it incorporates terrain maps showcasing footpaths, public transportation, and bikeways. So, if you want to roam around a completely new city, CityMaps2Go has you covered! You’ll find 60,000+ destinations across 150+ countries without needing the internet!
If there’s one app that can keep you connected with your loved ones no matter where you are, it’s WhatsApp! It comes at no cost to you; all you need is a stable internet connection to make calls and send/receive messages to/from your family and friends. This is especially useful because most people don’t realize how expensive SMS messages and call minutes can be until they land in a different country. For example, Canadians have to pay a lot more for their cellphone service compared to other countries. It doesn’t matter what your phone number is, you can communicate via texts and audio/video calls without any complications. So, having WhatsApp can be a blessing.
Wise
Moving abroad means there’s a lot of shifting money around. Whether it’s sending some home, putting a deposit on an apartment, paying for your studies, or any other major expense, you’ll be making some big transfers nearly every month. Your bank account does handle all these conversions for you, but you don’t want to know how much it’ll cost you in bank fees.
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is an app that lets you transfer money between currencies. But unlike most banks, it offers the latest exchange rates at the cheapest costs by a long shot. You’re also provided with different options to transfer your money; bank transfer (added benefit of paying the lowest possible fee), debit/credit card payment, wire transfer, and even Apple Pay! The recipients will get the money transferred in their local currency in an instant! It’s a totally hassle-free experience.
To add to these amazing features, you can also open a multi-currency account that allows you to hold money in 50 currencies. It comes with a debit card that you can use at any time. If you don’t have a balance of a particular currency that you have to pay in, the account automatically shifts to another, converts the money, and makes the payment! Everything is executed seamlessly and you don’t have to pay much for it.
Duolingo
It’s not easy to get around a completely new location when there’s a language barrier holding you back. It can be very tough to get your bearings when you don’t know how to converse properly. Fortunately, there’s an app you can download to help you polish your speaking, reading, and writing skills in any language you want. Duolingo has become increasingly popular among expats who need help interacting with the locals. It incorporates game-like techniques to help you learn a new language. This way, you’re excited to keep coming back every day and take your skills to the next level. You’ll find many interactive exercises as well. These encourage you to practice what you’ve learned by implementing it in your daily engagements. Perfecting your language skills will also increase your chances of landing a job in a new country!
Hopper
When you move to another country, keeping a budget is important. That way, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re on track and can enjoy spending on what you want. But flight tickets can be expensive and not much can be done about it when you need to commute. It can take a toll on your financial plans for the whole trip.
This is where Hopper will be a life-saver for you! It’s a travel booking app that can help you find the cheapest flights available for your destination. The app analyzes billions of different flight prices every single day to find you great options. You could save up to 40% on your next flight!
It incorporates a complex algorithm that analyzes the trends in flight prices every day and predicts how they will change. This way, it tells you whether you should wait for a better, cheaper option to be available or take the current price because it’ll only get higher later. It also employs the same technique for hotel bookings, so it’s a very helpful app to have for when you’re out of your home country.
MeetUp
If you haven’t heard of this app before, you’ve been missing out! It’s an inclusive platform that allows you to arrange meetups, host exciting events, and schedule activities for people with similar interests. When you’re abroad and out of your comfort zone, it can be a challenge to find people you connect with. With MeetUp, you can enjoy making wholesome connections no matter where you are in the world!
With these 6 apps, you’re bound to have a pleasant experience as an expat. And if you’re interested in planning a trip to Canada, UIS Canada can help you out! Our dedicated RCICs are available ‘round the clock for consultation services. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
