What the heck is Skype?

Skype is a foreign teacher’s best friend. Skype is a great military companion. Skype is the traveling parent’s portal to their mini me any time of day or night.

I had no idea what Skype was until the week before I left to come to South Korea. A friend in the military mentioned it when I was concerned about staying in contact with family and friends.  He told me he and his military friends faithfully used Skype to stay in touch with their loved ones while the are away.  I honestly didn't believe him at first when he said he could see his daughter while she was in the states and he was in another country (I never had a webcam before I moved to S.K.)  I was simply amazed once I got on Skype and realized all the services that are provided to people all over the world.

Skype is a free service that allows people to hear (if you have a microphone) and see (if you have a webcam) each other no matter where in the world they are…FOR FREE!!!  Yes, I said it…FREE!!!  All you need is a computer, microphone, and webcam and you can see your family anytime.  Skype is so easy to set up and so easy to use.  Most of my friends and family are on it now.  It has been such a blessing being able to see my family and the kitties and friends even though we are thousands of miles apart.    

Once you set up your username and password you can set up your webcam and microphone and even test to make sure both are working properly.  Once you are up and running you can make a call or a video call to anyone.  If you make a video call you are able to see the person in real time.  You can save other Skype user’s usernames and you can save all of your phone numbers on there too.  You can let people know when you are online or not.  If you miss a call it will notify you when you get back online.     

Now Skype also offers services that I feel are priced great.  I purchased a Houston number I can use through Skype for a year for under $60 (they are always have sales too).  This means I don’t have to use my international cell phone to make calls.  My family and friends don’t have to worry about extra charges and neither do I because the Houston number I purchased works as if I was still in the states.  Right now you can get 50% off an unlimited country subscription.  They offer different plans.  When I purchased my number it included: caller id, no extra charges when I call anywhere in the states or when anyone in the states call me, I can make my toll free calls from this number, I can send SMS messages, I have voicemail and call forwarding.  For any paid services you can use pay pal.  If you are in South Korea Paypal does not accept won. 

You can purchase Skype credit at anytime.  Skype credit is basically like a debit card.  You put money on it and when you want to purchase something you use the card to purchase.  Only in this case you just “upload” the money onto Skype.  I purchased $10 worth of Skype credit just because and since I have been here I have only used $0.05 (which was an accident because I didn’t read something carefully). 

I recommend Skype to anyone and everyone!  It doesn’t matter whether you are overseas or not.  And, it doesn’t matter whether you know anyone overseas.  It is a fun way to stay in touch with those closes to you when you are far apart!

Get started now!!!  www.skype.com