Staying in touch while abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and how do you stay in touch?

What is staying in touch while abroad like?
What are the reasons for staying in touch while abroad?
What skills and motivations do you need to maintain in contact while abroad?
What are the best ways to stay in touch while abroad?
What are the risks of trying to stay in touch while abroad?

What is staying in touch while abroad like?

Staying in touch abroad means consciously continuing to invest in relationships, with people back home as well as with people you meet along the way.
That sounds simple (“I will just send a text, right?”), but in practice, it is often much more challenging and important than you think.
When you are abroad you are in a different time zone, making contact is less automatic.
Next to that you live in a completely different context (new experiences, new people), your daily rhythm changes (work, travel, adventure, little structure) and you usually build new relationships while old relationships remain at a distance.

With home (friends, family, partner): for example via WhatsApp, phone calls, video calls.
With people you meet: travel companions, colleagues, locals.
Professional contact: former colleagues, network, future opportunities.
Deeper contact: longer conversations, letters, reflections. And it is not just about “staying in touch”, but also about:
maintaining relationships without being physically together.
dealing with distance, longing, and change.
consciously choosing who and what you invest your energy in.

that some contacts naturally persist.
that others fade (and that that is okay).
that you build new, unexpectedly strong connections.
staying in touch abroad is therefore actually a mix of: connecting, letting go, reconnecting.

To stay involved: by keeping in touch with people back home, you remain part of each other's lives, even though you are physically far away.
To learn to communicate remotely: you learn to communicate more clearly and consciously, because you see and sense each other less naturally.
To maintain and expand your network: contacts can be valuable later on for work, travel, or collaborations.
To increase your self-insight: distance from people can show you who is truly important to you and what you need in relationships.
To find a balance between old and new: you learn to handle combining your ‘old life’ with your new experiences abroad.
To increase happiness: it is known that it is important to connect with others, when you do, you feel a part of a bigger community, the chances are that you are happier.

Communicating: you must actively seek contact, be clear, and sometimes make an extra effort to stay connected from a distance.
Being involved: relationships endure because you show genuine interest, even when you yourself are busy with new experiences.
Networking: you get to know new people *and* maintain existing contacts, which is important for both your social and professional life.
Being flexible: time zones, poor Wi-Fi, or busy schedules require adaptability.
Being authentic: being able to honestly share how you are really doing (even if it’s not all fun) creates deeper connections.

Choose a format that suits both you and the other person: not everyone likes calling or long messages. Some send voice notes, while others prefer an occasional detailed update. Find a way that works for both sides.
Schedule regular contact moments (and keep it flexible): for example, calling or video calling once a week. This provides stability without feeling like an obligation.
Use different methods of contact such as:
- by phone,
- short messages for daily contact,
- voice notes for something more personal,
- video calling for real conversations,
- an occasional long update or email,
- by snail mail.
Share small things as well (not just highlights): not just “wow moments,” but also ordinary days. That makes contact more authentic and relatable.
Be honest about how you are doing: even if things aren't going so well for a while. That creates a deeper connection than just the “everything is great” stories.
Accept that contact changes: some friendships become stronger, others fade. That is part of the process and doesn't always indicate something negative. Also invest in new contacts: don't just stay in touch with home; life on location is at least as important.

That contact with friends or family fades because you are in a completely different phase of life and are less automatically involved in each other's daily lives.
That misunderstandings arise due to remote communication, because tone, context, and emotions are less effectively conveyed via messages or short calls.
That you may feel lonely if contact drops or becomes more superficial, especially during the first period of your stay.
That you actually stay too stuck in contact with home, making you less open to new experiences and people abroad.
That time differences and poor internet connections make it difficult to plan or maintain contact.
That emotional distance arises, for example because you change due to your experiences while people at home continue in their own rhythm.
That tensions arise in relationships (for example with a partner or friends) because expectations regarding contact differ.

During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.

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