After managing I just found out a real great way of staying connected with my friends at home. After using predialing number and calling card, I finally got a Skype out account and a Skype in number. It's basically a German phone number so your family can call you over the normal phone but you receive the calls on your computer in Bahrain. Great!!!
Also if Vonage is avaliable in your country you can get a modem before you come over. It will be your local number at home so people can call you or you can call out and it attaches to a telephone line. Thus no need to be sitting at the computer, I brought over my regular phone and am able to walk around the flat while speaking with friends back home.
