There is no
doubt that social media has revolutionised the way we interact. Everything from
applying for jobs to catching up with friends has shifted online. So why wouldn’t
it be an important tool to use while you’re away? I’ll share the latest social
media that will help you make the most of your year abroad. Open a new tab, and
get ready!
Twitter –
For Short and Sweet Updates
Facebook is
in danger of becoming the latest Myspace, as more of us swap posting pictures
of what we’re eating in favour of speedy 140-character updates. At first it may
seem like a page of random thoughts, but judging by the number of us who appear
glued to our phones, it soon becomes addictive. Twitter is most useful for
getting information fast. By following friends, newsfeeds and *insert random
celebrities* you can see what’s ‘trending’ locally and globally.
Skype –
‘Phone Home’
In the words
of E.T. ‘phone home’, but Skype is slightly more technical than pointing your
finger to the sky. The video calling service allows you to contact friends and
family without running up expensive phone bills. You can add contacts; sort
them into groups and share videos and websites. Think of an updated MSN
messenger but with webcam. And best of all, it’s free. All you need is a good
internet connection, so there’s no excuse for not keeping your family informed
about every little detail of your year abroad.
Instagram –
DSLR-it-up!
Instagram is
fast becoming the ultimate photo-sharing website. Its many editing features
give your photos a professional look by replicating the effects created by
expensive DSLR cameras. Another plus of
Instagram is that you can follow your friends to see their latest snaps, and
share your own photos. So when you visit that gallery abroad why not ‘Instagram-it’?
Pinterest –
To Aspire and Reminisce
If you’re
deciding to go on a year abroad you’re probably a fairly organised person. In
that case, Pinterest is your greatest ally. It’s a site that allows you to
‘pin’ articles, pictures, anything, and organise them onto virtual boards. It’s
simple yet very effective. The boards can be private or public, and depending
on your interests you can follow boards and ‘repin’ what you like. So whether
you want to save handy travel blogs, or repin a picture of a place you’d like to
visit when you arrive, Pinterest is a brilliant way to collate and sort
information. Much better than storing it all in your head, right?
LinkedIn –
Stay in Touch and Look Ahead
If you
thought LinkedIn was only used by your university lecturers and past school
teachers you would be doing the site a disservice. Joining LinkedIn is a great
way to stay in touch with professional contacts you make while you are at
university, on work experience or studying abroad, all of whom may prove useful
in the future. It’s better to start building up your network now, while you’re
at university, as opposed to tracking down potential contacts once you’ve
graduated. The site is aimed at young professionals and allows you to advertise
yourself accordingly (i.e. no embarrassing Facebook photos). You can join
groups and forums that are related to your preferred industry and it also
allows you to get recommendations and endorsements from contacts that can vouch
for your skills. LinkedIn will help you match up to the competition and give
you an insight to your chosen career path.
So now you’re
all clued up on the world of social media, why not get started now?
In the
meantime, share your favourite social media below!
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