As you begin your journey to study abroad in the United States, you’re no doubt excited to immerse yourself in a new culture full of adventures. Since you’ll use your phone for calling, texting, streaming, navigating, browsing, and more, you’ll need to search for the best phone plans for study abroad students that fit how you live and study.
To call and text back home, choose a plan with international calling. Also, consider a plan that fits your data needs and budget. A reliable carrier with a fast network keeps you connected—whether you’re studying or catching up with friends back home.
With the right plan while you’re in the U.S., you can focus on what matters most—studying.
Why you need a phone plan while studying abroad
As you prepare to travel to the U.S., have you considered skipping a new phone plan? While you might opt for a local SIM card with a set amount of data, the reality is that your phone is particularly useful when you’re far from home.
A reliable phone, paired with the right mobile plan, keeps you in touch with friends and family back home and lets you connect with new friends and peers. The right phone plan also helps you stay up to date on local and campus news, navigate your new home, and handle financial transactions. Plus, your phone can be a lifeline in an emergency.
The right phone plan keeps you connected for school, work, and leisure—and an international option helps you stay connected to everyone back home, too.
Look for a plan with international calling options
If you’re an international student, you likely have friends and family back home you’ll want to talk and text with. Before you sign up for any plan, carefully review the international calling options. Even if you get a great deal on calls, texts, and data in the U.S., international calls can get expensive fast.
Consider adding an international calling package to stay in touch. We offer unlimited calling from the U.S. to more than 85 countries. You’ll also receive discounted calling rates to more than 140 countries. Best of all, you can add this affordable package for $15 per month, per line.
It’s simple to get started. Once you have an eligible wireless plan, log in to your myAT&T account and add the international calling feature. Then you’re free to call your loved ones and never miss any important moments.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a postpaid plan to get international calling, but you still have options if you prefer a prepaid plan.
Consider the benefits of U.S. prepaid vs. postpaid phone plans
When you compare prepaid phone plans vs. postpaid phone plans, you’ll notice some key differences. With postpaid phone plans, you typically use talk, text, and data first, and your provider bills you afterward. You can also add features like international calling or phone insurance to your monthly bill.
With our postpaid plans, you can choose unlimited service, with no cap on your talk, text, or data usage. As a student studying in the U.S., you’ll have these unlimited services in and between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Plus, you’ll get unlimited texting to more than 210 countries.
Prepaid phone plans for study abroad students can be convenient and cost-effective, too. When you purchase one of our prepaid plans, you won’t need a U.S. credit check, as you might for a postpaid wireless plan. This can be helpful for people who are citizens of other countries and don’t have a credit history in the U.S.
Additionally, prepaid plans normally let you pay month to month without a long-term contract. This could be convenient for students who plan on returning home during the summer.
Another benefit is that you can choose an unlimited prepaid plan if you’re a heavy data user or pick a limited data plan as a lower-cost alternative. With our Unlimited + 10GB hotspot data, you can pay $240 upfront for 12 months, giving you one less monthly bill to deal with.
Each plan has its advantages, plus great devices to pair with either one. We offer top prepaid phones as well as great devices, perfect for postpaid phone plans.
Check to see if you can keep your current phone
If you already have a phone you like, save money while you study abroad by bringing it to your new plan rather than buying a new one. For example, with our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) options, you can keep your current phone.
To get started, contact your carrier to confirm your phone is unlocked and compatible with our network. Once you confirm, choose the best prepaid wireless plan for your needs.
Depending on your device, you can purchase a local SIM card or download an eSIM. After that, you’re all set to call and text back home.
Whether you buy a new phone or bring your own, you can count on us for quality service. When looking for the best wireless plans to study abroad, carefully consider cost versus quality.
Think carefully about cost vs. quality
The cost of your wireless plan matters. As a university student, you’re probably on a budget and need to make your money stretch. That said, don’t choose a phone plan simply because it’s the cheapest option.
If a phone plan is affordable but provides spotty service, it’s probably not worth it in the long run. Instead, you’ll want to look for a combination of quality and value. For example, our network covers more than 99% of the U.S. population*, so you can count on dependable service.
Plus, we offer plenty of affordable wireless plans and options that students can feel comfortable paying for. For additional savings, add lines to your plan to reduce the price per line, sign up for an AutoPay discount, take advantage of student discounts, and more. That means more money for espresso as you study the night away.
Develop top-grade study habits with a network you can depend on
Studying abroad isn’t just about learning in a classroom—it’s about making meaningful connections with the people and community around you. To stay connected to new friends and those back home, finding the best phone plans for study abroad is essential.
Make sure you have international calling, the right prepaid or postpaid phone plan, and a compatible device.
We have all the affordable plans and the latest devices you need for a successful academic journey. Being away from home is much easier with a reliable connection—and that’s what you can count on us for.
Visit att.com to browse our products and accessories. Find your local AT&T store to browse in person or to speak with an in-store representative.
*Based on overall coverage in the U.S. licensed areas. Coverage not available everywhere.
This article was edited by Zoya Cochran on January 15, 2026, to include updates on prepaid and postpaid phone plans and international calling features.
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Matt Johnsen, a former TechBuzz contributor and AT&T employee. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
