<p>My bank has a student credit card option for those going to the states for college...I wonder if it's advisable to go with this plan? I guess the only downside is that it would cost me extra fees to use an ATM or to get money wire-transferred to my account should my parents need to do so at any point in time. Also, how about cell-phones? There are international plans, but I don't know how much more convenient it would be to sign up with an American service provider. </p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I don’t know “as an expert”, but I have studied overseas and I know for a fact that it is not cost-feasible to get an international plan. I actually have a separate phone that I used overseas. You don’t want an international plan because that would mean that the friends you make at Penn who’d, of course, want to text you would have to pay overseas charges for your international number. Also the prices are probably astronomical and not worth the cost. Stick maybe to Skype to talk to your parents?</p>
<p>The credit card option is actually much more do-able. I think there are definitely benefits to keeping your bank and giving your parents easy access. As long as you have a Visa, you should be just fine. I’d recommend though, that you find a bank where the International exchange fee is limited or nonexistent (1% or lower). I know in America Capital One has a 0% transaction fee, and will eat the fee of Visa and Mastercard. Search around a little for something maybe like that? If not, is it possible for you to just stick to debit card ATM use?</p>
<p>I’ll probably get a cheapo pay-as-you-go cellphone to use in the US, and I’ll use Skype and Messenger to keep in touch with my parents. Credit card wise - IDK, really. We’re thinking about opening an account for me in the US.</p>