International students may find that their phones don't work in Boston or that they are too expensive to operate. So the best thing to do is to just get a new phone here in the US. There are numerous choices for phones. If cost is a major issue, a prepaid plan with all the bells and whistles will cost between $30 and $40 a month, plus the cost of the phone, which is between $50 and $200. If you would like to use the new phone in another country, you may want to purchase a GMS-compatible phone from T-Mobile.
Many wireless companies now offer international calling plans where you can call any landline in over 100 countries for free. For example, MetroPCS charges you $10 a month for such a plan. Another interesting plan from MetroPCS allows people in other countries to call your cell without any additional charge.
There are dozens of wireless phone providers in the US, but these are the largest in the Boston area. Check out their website for the right phone for you.
-Verizon Wireless
-AT&T Mobility
-Sprint Nextel
-T-Mobile US
-Metro PCS
-U.S. Cellular
-Leap Wireless
Other options
Applications like Skype are good options to call your folks at home. They are available on phones and computers and they are free. Other good choices are special apps for your phone like WhatsApp that allows you to send text, pictures, video and voice messages for free.