The International Student Blog

I was recently thinking about student ID cards, as we get emails all the time from students asking which one is the best? Where can they get one? Why should I get one? and so on…..so I thought I would look into the main options and see how they compare.

The 2 main players in the International Student ID card arena are the ISIC card and ISE Card – so how do they compare:

ISIC Card – Cost in the USA $22:
– Worldwide recognition
– 32,000 discounts in 106 countries
– 24 hour emergency helpline
– ISI Connect phone card

ISE Card – Cost in the USA $25:
– Worldwide discounts
– $2,000 medical expense and $5,000 evacuation coverage
– 24 hour worldwide assistance
– Airline Bankruptcy protection
– Calling Card Feature
– North America Roadside Assistance Program

Information obtained on both cards at:
http://www.isecard.com/isecard/benefits.html
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=istc_info

I think its pretty clear the ISIC card has been the heavy weight in this field, and I think it may well be the more well known card – however saying that you cannot ignore the benefits of the ISE Card, and I believe its clear that the ISE Card provides more “added value” to the student with many more benefits.

If you have any comments, post them!

The latest issue of the InternationalStudent.com Monthly Newsletter, issue 92, is currently on its way to your email inbox if you have subscribed to receive it. This month we cover:

1. Introduction
2. Staying in touch – International Communications
3. Find your Spanish course in the Spanish world
4. TOEFL Scores Open More Doors
5. Featured Program: Iowa Intensive English Program
6. Student Sound-off – HOT Topics from the mail bag
7. Student News – from around the world
8. International Financial Aid
9. Subscription Information
10. Final Note

Read the full newsletter online at:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/newsletter/issue92.shtml

or sign up FREE to receive it each month via email:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/newsletter/index.shtml

As the new semester is well underway, keeping in touch with your family and friends is really important – but for many to do this can be expensive and trying to find the right option can be time consuming and will most probably make you want to pull your hair out! At InternationalStudent.com we have done the hard work for you and found the best options for you….

Internet Calling:
There are two services that are head and shoulders above the rest, Skype and Gizmo:
http://www.skype.com
http://www.gizmoproject.com/

PS – you can now call InternationalStudentInsurance.com for free from Skype!

Calling from the USA:
The best service we have found is iCallAbroad.com with low rates, great connection, pin-less dialing and much more:
http://www.iCallAbroad.com

Calling from the rest of the world:
If you need to call from other locations of want your parents or friends to call you then check out the InternationalCallingCard.com rate search to find the best product:
http://www.InternationalCallingCard.com

Sim Cards
The cheapest sim card available online for the USA with the T-mobile service is available at:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/sim_cards/

Let us know if you use these services, and what you think?

International Student Insurance has just undergone a face-lift, with a new improved look! With the original site design dating back to 1999, it was decided to change the layout and navigation to make it easier to read, understand and find the right insurance plans quickly and easily! You can now also access the various plans directly from the homepage so no more wondering where to click…..

Check out the new design and let me know what you think:
http://www.InternationalStudentInsurance.com

Did you know that you can earn up to $2,000 a month by teaching overseas. i-to-i offer a range of internationally recognized online TEFL/TESOL courses that will give you unlimited job opportunities across Europe, Central & South America, Asia and Africa. Their full training and jobs guidance service will give you all the skills, confidence and information you’ll need to make a success of your time overseas.

Find out more about this great opportunity by visiting:
i-to-i TEFL Website

A very interesting article here about the new RFID system that is rolling out in passports around the world, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification. These are new passports that basically have a chip that contains all your personal information on it and obviously have been launched as a new security measure – but from the article below, how safe are they!

Schneier on Security: Renew Your Passport Now!

As new media is making things more available, NBC has launched an ambitious new project called Junior Year Abroad which is an online TV program charting the ups and downs of students at the Study Abroad. Its fun, new and something different so take a look!

NBC 4 – Junior Year Abroad – JYA

If you are like me and trying to learn a new language, its not an easy prospect doing this on your own. Although there are books, CD’s, Computer programs, etc… the only real way to learn is to get tuition and be part of a class! Thats what led me to look around online and I found this great site Language-Learning.net.

They have listings of over 10,000 language schools from around the world offering 88 languages in over 115 countries – by far the best language directory online – and what’s even better they offer the site in 6 different languages.

Check it out today!
http://www.language-learning.net/

The September Issue is out now and should be winging its way to your inbox as we speak! This month we have:

- Introduction
- Last minute funding
- Still need insurance?
- TOEFL Scores Open More Doors
- Featured Program: Language Safari Port Elizabeth, SA
- Student Sound-off – HOT Topics from the mail bag
- Student News – from around the world
- American InterContinental University
- Language-Learning.net, Find the perfect Language Course
- Subscription Information
- Final Note

I hope you enjoy it!
InternationalStudent.com Monthly Newsletter – September 2006 Issue #91

I just updated and revamped our news and articles section which you can now seen online at:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/news/index.shtml

We also just posted two new articles:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/news/articles/study_abroad_learn.shtml

If you would like to submit any articles that you have written and would like to post on our site please contact me