Hi everybody!
I'm a student from Europe here at the university of San Diego in CA. I have a big problem with my phone bills. I have to make calls back in the UK and Ireland where some of my friends and my parents live. Also I make calls here in the US. Used AT&T and Qwest but there are pretty expensive for me. I wonder if you know some other providers with good quality but cheaper rates?
Thank you.

Do you live in a dorm with hot, running ethernet? If so, you can have local service plus unlimited long distance to Usa and Canada for $27 a month including taxes. Don't know the international rates. Go to www.vonage.com. They provide an adapter between your conventional phone and any ethernet connection. I see ads for Lingo too, that may be even cheaper. I have been using Vonage for 2 years now as my only phone, and I am very happy with it. For broadband internet many students get free, I have to pay $45. I save enough on the phone, that I am paying about what I did for lower quality landline and dialup.

As "labman" said, you need to have internet connection so you can order online prepaid calling cards. I am from New Zealand, now living in Texas and I had the same problem. I can recommend you http://www.calltalknow.com . I use them for couple of months and they have good rates and good connectivity. Also their site is pretty well organized. Take a good look at their plans. The "call" plan is best for me. Also check out their long distance section http://www.calltalknow.com/long_distance.html .They have a 10$ free offer.
Good luck.

I was not talking about any prepaid plan, but VOIP, where you bypass the local land line company and pay only $27 for local and long distance. NO SBC, US West, Verizon, etc. I pay one bill, to one company. I just dial the number, no card numbers to mess with. No cards to order. I receive an email once a month saying my credit card was charged. No other bills.

You can take your phone service with you any place you have a ethrnet to the net. Back home for the summer, motels, maybe even an internet café.

Try this card http://www.worldcheapcalls.com/
Very good rates
From their site: "Additional charges may apply ".

Scam.

This VoIP Blog (http://www.voipnoise.com/blog) has some interesting tips on cheap international VoIP calls (http://www.voipnoise.com/blog/index.php/weblog/voip_unlimited_international_calls/)... it seems like the solution you're looking for...

Try use WorldCallback calling card (http://calling-cards.phonebestcard.com/world_callback_calling_card.htm)

SKYPE - VOIP free! Works for me in UK to other Skype users

I use Skype and talk to my ex girlfriend in japan, and its free! www.skype.com

Not only that, but with SKype, you can can call anywhere in Canada or the USA for FREE until the end of the year. You must reside in Canada or the USA to qualifty for this promotion.