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I leave next week and someone just now told me that I need a converter for outlets or I won't be able to charge anything.
This could have caused a major problem seeing as I run my life and business from my computer.
So what things do I need when in Europe?
I am going to be traveling to many countries over the coarse of a few years.
I have the universal outlet adapter.
I am working on getting currency in advance for each country.
Can anyone direct me to a place I can learn about phones abroad? I don't want to pay for international. So is there a phone service that will work across all of europe? I have an unlocked iPhone. Currently using Tmobile. Will my iPhone work with a foreign sim card because it is factory unlocked?
Also I need to be online 20 hours of the day. I have unlimited data on Tmobile and have been using tethering for all my internet needs. What is an option for me to have a wifi hotspot wherever I go all over the world?
Any advice is much appreciated. I really have no idea what to expect and I would like to be prepared for everything
Basically I am looking for something similar to my current unlimited data tethering for my computer via my tmobile iPhone
Also if you could point out any differences I should know about Europe from the USA it would be great.
I leave next week and someone just now told me that I need a converter for outlets or I won't be able to charge anything.
This could have caused a major problem seeing as I run my life and business from my computer.
So what things do I need when in Europe?
I am going to be traveling to many countries over the coarse of a few years.
I have the universal outlet adapter.
I am working on getting currency in advance for each country.
Can anyone direct me to a place I can learn about phones abroad? I don't want to pay for international. So is there a phone service that will work across all of europe? I have an unlocked iPhone. Currently using Tmobile. Will my iPhone work with a foreign sim card because it is factory unlocked?
Also I need to be online 20 hours of the day. I have unlimited data on Tmobile and have been using tethering for all my internet needs. What is an option for me to have a wifi hotspot wherever I go all over the world?
Any advice is much appreciated. I really have no idea what to expect and I would like to be prepared for everything
Basically I am looking for something similar to my current unlimited data tethering for my computer via my tmobile iPhone
Also if you could point out any differences I should know about Europe from the USA it would be great.
WARNING WARNING WARNING.
You don't just need outlet adaptors if you're going to use US appliances/computers/etc - you need a TRANSFORMER for many items. You can't just snap a plug adaptor onto the end of a cord and plug everything in. Can you say "fried?"
Since you're going to be there a few years, you would probably be better off buying European appliances and phones and a phone plan. You can use the transformer to charge your phone and tablet and laptop but you need to look into other options since you're going to be living there rather than just spending a few weeks there.
Tell us more about your own situation. You need to be online 20 hours a day? What sort of work do you do? Is your employer helping you get settled in any way? What country will you be living in?
No offense, but to be MOVING to a foreign country in a week, you don't sound very prepared or knowledgeable about the basics. I notice that you are a new forum member so please excuse my skepticism but...wow.
You don't just need outlet adaptors if you're going to use US appliances/computers/etc - you need a TRANSFORMER for many items. You can't just snap a plug adaptor onto the end of a cord and plug everything in. Can you say "fried?"
Since you're going to be there a few years, you would probably be better off buying European appliances and phones and a phone plan. You can use the transformer to charge your phone and tablet and laptop but you need to look into other options since you're going to be living there rather than just spending a few weeks there.
Tell us more about your own situation. You need to be online 20 hours a day? What sort of work do you do? Is your employer helping you get settled in any way? What country will you be living in?
No offense, but to be MOVING to a foreign country in a week, you don't sound very prepared or knowledgeable about the basics. I notice that you are a new forum member so please excuse my skepticism but...wow.
I am very young. I own a business online. Purchasing bulk cheap electronics from Alibaba, and selling them on ebay. I have two employees here in the States who are doing shipping for me all the time. But I get so many messages and of coarse with cheap Chinese made electronics many of them break so I spend my whole days on my computer resolving issues and answering peoples questions. I am just going to be traveling a lot.
All I do is run the customer service portion of my business at this point. Which I can do from anywhere in the world. I am traveling through Europe for a while because I want to see what the world has to offer. I feel it is the right time to do this because I am young. I know I am very underprepared which is why I am asking for any help and advice I can get.
I will be in England, then Belgium, then Germany, then Spain, then Andorra. Less then 3 months in each country so I don't need a visa of any kind. By the time I am in Spain I will know where the next several destinations are.
Does it matter if you are skeptical? Why would I make this up?
I am not religious in any way. But there is a teaching I learned in religious school when I was younger that has always stuck with me.
I am paraphrasing of coarse:
When someone is seeking help who cares if they are faking? They will be judged in the next world. And if they are not faking then it will be favorable on you. It will not hurt you to help the person. So why does it matter as long as there is nothing possibly malicious they could do with the information
bad news for you.... there is something called Schengen area(look it up on the web). And you don't need a visa if you stay less than 3 months within Schengen area. Unfortunately for you, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Andorra will de facto be for you as Schengen Area, so you need to get OUT of there in less than 3 months. A trip to the UK for example will do (or Morocco)
Yes, that's what I'm saying. Note that the ad specifically says that the plug adapters do not convert VOLTAGE. US and EU products use a different voltage system. You need a transformer. They're very heavy. You would probably do better just changing out your electrical items rather than lugging a transformer around all over Europe.
Quote:
I am very young. I own a business online. Purchasing bulk cheap electronics from Alibaba, and selling them on ebay. I have two employees here in the States who are doing shipping for me all the time. But I get so many messages and of coarse with cheap Chinese made electronics many of them break so I spend my whole days on my computer resolving issues and answering peoples questions. I am just going to be traveling a lot.
If you are selling electrical appliances on eBay, you really do need to study up on this stuff. I am serious - not trying to offend you. But it sounds like you have access to inexpensive stuff so you should buy some things for yourself - items that will work without a transformer in Europe (European voltage systems rather than US voltage systems). You will still need the plug adapters if you're going to be traveling a lot.
Quote:
All I do is run the customer service portion of my business at this point. Which I can do from anywhere in the world. I am traveling through Europe for a while because I want to see what the world has to offer. I feel it is the right time to do this because I am young. I know I am very underprepared which is why I am asking for any help and advice I can get.
Start by looking up "using US electrical items in Europe."
Yes, you are very underprepared but you do have a week or so to do a LOT of reading.
Quote:
Does it matter if you are skeptical? Why would I make this up?
Why are there weirdos all over the internet? I'm not saying you're making it up - I'm saying you're a new forum member and that it's not unusual for junior forum members to be trolling, or to be a "one post wonder" asking lots of strange questions that don't make much sense and then never showing back up. Maybe you're not one of those (I hope not) but considering that it's not unusual, I'm skeptical till I see differently.
Hopefully we can give you some advice that may avert disaster on your trip! But please don't rely only on this forum. Go to international travel sites - there are lots of tips there about electrical stuff, phones, etc. You really need to prepare carefully for a long trip like the one you're making, or you will spend lots and lots of money on expensive mistakes.
Newer appliances usually work between 110-240 V so you don't need a transformer, just an adopter.
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