You’re away from home, maybe for the first time, and haven’t got a care in the world. This is ‘your time’ and it’s the perfect opportunity to do your own thing. But don’t forget it’s worth keeping in touch with those back home.

Here’s the ‘essentials’ list for staying in touch

Old Phone: Bring an old mobile phone that wouldn’t bother you if it got broken/lost/eaten by baboons. Alternatively, you can now buy cheap, basic phones from most phone shops that if you make sure they are unlocked, can be used with any SIM card.Just make sure the phone is suitable for use in that destination.

Global SIM card: One point of contact for your entire trip. Our global SIM card even gives you an O2 number so your friends and family in the UK can call you for less.

Local SIM Card: If you are settled in one country for a long time, it’s a good idea to buy one of their SIM cards. It’s cheap, often includes deals and is ideal if you’re volunteering a bit further from civilisation since you can always be in contact with someone.

Global Phone Card: You will be able to buy international phone cards in most countries that can be used on payphones but if you are planning on staying somewhere more remote you’ll soon discover that payphones are a little hard to come by.

Skype: You can sign up for free video messaging accounts on Sykpe’s website which can be used at any internet café. For those with a webcam you can even make video calls. You can buy headsets with a microphone to plug into the headphone socket of the computer and talk away for as long as your heart desires- or as long as you paid for the internet.

Tips:

• Leave your contact number with home / contacts
• Call home but don’t promise exact times (otherwise mum will worry!)
• Use ‘ICE’ coding – your ‘in case of emergency’ number