My Digital Experience

Living abroad is one of the best experiences one can ever have. Aside from experiencing various cultures, one also gets to enjoy the view of aesthetic sceneries. As a student, one of my greatest ambitions was to pursue my masters’ degree in Sweden. This dream became a reality after earning a prestigious scholarship to study a Masters course in Global Health at Lund University.  Living in a foreign country can be worthwhile and fulfilling. Even though one gets to adapt to new people, currency, and food, life abroad can be very lonely. However, the advent of technology has transformed the world into a global village. Today’s digital era has made it extremely easy for people to communicate with each other despite the wide geographical distances between them. One of the key technologies that have revolutionized communication is Skype. Using Skype, a foreigner can easily communicate with his/her family residing in any part of the globe. Through Skype, I was able to do an interview, which later earned me my dream job as a Global Health Researcher for GlaxoSmithKline Company in London.

Skype Software Application

Skype is a renowned software application that was launched in August 2003. It allows people to make voice calls using the internet. Skype continues to transform the world of communication through its unique, high-quality voice and video technology. The number of Skype users has increased threefold with over 86 million active users across the world. According to telegeography’s annual survey held in 2013, Skype to Skype calls represented 36% of all international calls (Courtney, 2015). Skype technology also continues to competitively cut an edge over other communication technologies due to its low tariffs. This form of software simulates the face-to-face communication environment of a traditional business meeting, classroom, and social meetings. Skype users can also use a variety of communication devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and enabled televisions to make and receive calls. Skype also provides multi-party voice, chat sessions, and video communication technology that allow up to 300 users to communicate in real-time (Courtney, 2015). This multi-party communication technique has been used by many business organizations to hold conference video and voice calls with clients, stakeholders, and other business partners in different geographical locations. Skype is regarded as an important tool for communication as it has managed to overcome geographical barriers. As the world embraces today’s digital era, more businesses are speedily incorporating technology as part of their everyday operations. The instant chatting sessions have made it possible for employees to converse in real-time (Courtney, 2015). This fosters the aspect of teamwork as employees can communicate freely via Skype. Communication via Skype is not only cost-effective but also efficient as it is not compulsory for one to travel in order to attend a meeting phisically. This has led to fruitful business collaborations, increased employment opportunitie,s and improved the global economy.

In addition to holding business meetings and social conversations via Skype, this software has also created a great avenue for online distance learning. The use of Skype in a classroom setting is a trend that continues to boost the world’s literacy levels. Teachers are able to post ideas for Skype lessons, connect with potential students, and device ways of teaching through Skype.  Over 43,000 teachers use Skype to teach the majority of online distance learners. This communication software application is characterized by a robust and scalable peer-to-peer file-sharing infrastructure (Courtney, 2015). This promotes the process of sending files and documents among students, teachers, and businesspeople from all over the world. By promoting education, Skype seeks to assist the world in attaining sustainable goals for development. This digital platform has also led to the formation of stronger social unions among family members, friends, and work colleagues.

Demerits of Using Skype

Even though there are many merits associated with the use of Skype, it also has various demerits. For one to utilize Skype application, he/she needs to have a strong internet connection. The use of the internet by people residing in other countries can be very costly. Thus, people living in poverty-ridden areas are unable to purchase Wi-Fi and internet bundles required by the Skype application. Poor internet connection also results in technical hitches that disrupt Skype conversations and video conference meetings. Moreover, Skype conversations between loved ones are likely to result in loss of interpersonal connection. This results in strained relationships as one lacks a sense of belonging due to poor socialization and the overreliance of Skype as a tool for communication. For one to use this software application, it is compulsory to have the communication devices on whilst connected to the internet. Nevertheless, Skype is a free software app that is rapidly being adopted by people residing in every part of the world. Even though Skype’s functionality continues to broaden, the software engineers work in retaining Skype’s simple design. The software’s modern and simple look has greatly improved the users experience to easily navigate and use it many available features for communication.

Reference

Courtney, J. (2015). Experience Skype to the Max: The essential guide to the world’s leading internet communications platform.