Another thing that I wanted to mention is that when you get to the States, if you have a Google account, you can sign up for Google Voice. Since you need to authenticate it when your daughter has a phone number, you can only do it when you are there. This service not only allows you to call via video, but you can call your daughter on her cell phone in case of emergencies. Please let me know if you need help on how to do that. It's a little complicated.
1. I am not sure you meant for phone card or phone. Having a phone card would be a good idea for emergency situation. Also, having a cell phone is a good idea too. Each school has its own policy to use a cell phone in school hours and a student is usually free to use their phones. The question is how a student can get it and use it wisely. An international student who is a minor without a good credit history, she might have a difficulty to get one unless she pays in full for the device from the beginning.
2. It is strongly recommended that an international student prepares a laptop computer. schools may recommend some options too. Check with schools for their computer or technology policy. schools such as Cushing has the first rate computer program and students are required to use laptops for their works and study.
3. a translation device could be a good tool for study. However, please be careful when your child uses it at school. Please make sure that your child follow school policy. Some teachers see this a helpful tool for international students, but some see as a cheating device, while thinking this device might be unfair to other American students in classroom. In the past years, schools become more weary about these device because some of international students used this in tests and exams more than they were guided to use. My recommendation is "always be careful with this translation device."
