--- title: How to Stay in Touch with Loved Ones During Your Time Abroad at John Cabot University description: Want to be sure you keep sending love and attention home to family and friends while you study abroad? Learn how you can, with campus resources and technology. image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Students%20At%20Settimiano.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # How to Stay in Touch with Loved Ones During Your Time Abroad at John Cabot University June 11, 2019 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/stay-touch-loved-ones-time-abroad-john-cabot-university](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/stay-touch-loved-ones-time-abroad-john-cabot-university) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Students%20At%20Settimiano.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/stay-touch-loved-ones-time-abroad-john-cabot-university](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/stay-touch-loved-ones-time-abroad-john-cabot-university) ![John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/JCUCrestWhiteonBlue-1.jpg) Written By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) Topic [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/student-life) Being away from loved ones for a time can actually be a good thing – missing someone can strengthen your bond by reinforcing the positive feelings you have for them. Plus, being away from your regular social circle gives you space to expand your horizons and reinforce your independence and personal strength. Though you will be busy immersing yourself in an exciting new community while you are away at school, you’ll still want to keep in touch with people who are back at home, to share your experiences and let them know how you’re doing. Here are a few easy ways to fit communication with loved ones back home into your studying and exploring schedule! ## Get Snail Mail at your Personal Mailbox at John Cabot Old-fashioned letters and packages are a fun way to stay in touch; show you're thinking of them with a handwritten note or greeting card, or perhaps a postcard depicting your favorite sight in Rome. Stamps are available at *tabaccai* or tobacco shops, which are marked with a big white letter “T”, or you can mail it from the post office. Your family and friends can send you mail while you are away, too. You will have your own mailbox at **[John Cabot](https://www.johncabot.edu/)**, in the student lounge at the Guarini campus. Give your loved ones the mailbox number assigned to you and they will be able to send you letters or care packages. Just keep in mind that packages larger than a shoebox won’t be accepted, so they should keep an eye on the size. ## Get in Some Quality Screen Time While you Study Abroad Take advantage of your smartphone and schedule a FaceTime or Skype chat. Don’t forget to do your math! Depending on what time zone your family and friends live in, you will need to calculate the time difference. For example, you might make a plan to chat with your parents on a Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm in Rome, while they sip their morning coffee at 9:30am in Minneapolis.   ![You can find some beautiful backdrops around campus for a FaceTime chat](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Time-1.jpg?width=600&height=399&name=Screen-Time-1.jpg)   Grouping people together is also useful (and fun!) – maybe you can Skype with a couple of your best friends at the same time, or talk to your dad and little brother at once. It gives you more time with everyone, which helps with the challenges of time zones and busy schedules. ## Snap Pictures (and Don’t Hold Back on Selfies!) You’ll see beautiful architecture, meet wonderful new friends from all over the world and have the opportunity to stay in a JCU apartment that you’ll surely want to show off when you**[study abroad](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/default.aspx)**. Taking and sharing pictures of these new things in your life is a great way to make family and friends feel like they’re right there with you. You can share your experiences on social media, or keep photos private in a shared folder online. This creates a virtual photo album for your parents, siblings, friends, or significant other to look through and see what you’re up to. Put your face in some of the pictures—your family and friends are sure to miss your smile! Your smartphone makes this convenient, since you’ll probably already be taking lots of fun pictures during your time in Rome. Using something you’re already doing to stay in touch will make it easier for you to keep up the habit, letting you fully engage in your experience abroad while still sending love back home. **Are you looking for an [English language university in Italy](https://www.johncabot.edu/default.aspx)?** **Contact John Cabot University for more information!** [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/exploring-italy-day-trips-study-abroad-session?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/life-jcu-davide-orsitto-class-2016?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) ##### [Staying Active While Studying Abroad at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) By [Lauren Brondyke](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/lauren-brondyke) / May 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 3 Student Clubs to Join at John Cabot University in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / May 8, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) ##### [John Cabot University’s Campuses in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/campuses-rome?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / May 6, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/campuses-rome?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »