I assumed my SIM card would work overseas
Where it happened
First day landing in Japan
What went wrong
I landed, turned off airplane mode, and… nothing.
No data. No maps. No WhatsApp.
The mistake wasn’t technical — it was assumptive. I assumed modern phones “just work” everywhere.
Why it happens
We overestimate roaming coverage and underestimate local SIM friction.
What to do instead
Always check roaming compatibility or pre-book an eSIM before flying.
Assume nothing works the moment you land.