General Tips
Pack lightly. You will have to carry whatever you pack…up
stairs, or mountain sides…you never know. When packing, lay
out everything you want to take, and then only pack half that
amount. Planes, trains, and buses will help, but you will be
walking a lot of the time. Carrying your luggage will be difficult
if you pack too much.
Make sure you have at least one complete change of clothing in
your carry-on luggage, and a complete set of toiletries, in case
your stowed luggage does not make the trip.
Clothing
Do not fill your bag with sweaters and jackets. Layering is
essential. Pick one lightweight jacket and sweater. Bring only
clothes that are machine washable (or sink-washable). Select dark
clothes. Dark clothes will lessen your need to do wash
(sounds dirty but you will learn). Avoid clothing that identifies
you as American, i.e., American flags, Old Navy/Gap, American
Eagle, U.S. Sports Teams etc. (You may have national pride, but it
is not a good time to show it).
Pack one nice outfit :
- Females--comfortable slacks or dress/skirt
- Males-button down shirt and slacks
- For visits to cathedrals or churches, it is crucial to honor
the traditions of the country and not appear to be
unsophisticated.
Pack plenty of socks, underwear and t-shirts (and
other unmentionables). Check the weather www.worldweather.org for
guidance on clothes selection. Or you can consult with a
travel agent or guidebook to check the temperature and weather
conditions for your destination and time of year.
Essential documents
Passport (and visa if required). Make three copies of your
picture/data sheet. Leave one with your family in the U.S., give
one to the group leader, and pack the last in another part of your
luggage. Your actual passport must be carried on your person at all
times. Travel stores sell various neck-strap wallets, or travel
belts to use. Do not carry items in a back or breast pocket.
Pick-pockets are a reality when traveling.
Airline tickets and photo I.D. and Insurance information, (Same
three-copy rule as with the passports.) Study abroad journal -
Remember, one of the paper assignments is to write an experiential
paper. Keep the journal while in country. Save coasters, postcards,
tickets stubs etc.
Money
Cash, traveler's checks, credit cards, ATM card, money
belt or neck wallet (invaluable for carrying money and important
documents).
NO FANNYPACKS! They are easily removed
and mark you as an American tourist.
Toiletries and Miscellaneous
Remember the air travel requirements of 3-ounce
containers in a single one-quart zip-close bag are all that you can
carry on. However, you can stow a larger size in a larger piece of
luggage. In most countries, you will be able to purchase
extra toiletries while abroad.
- Eye glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaning
solution.
- Prescriptions
- Razor blades
- Sunscreen and moisturizers
- Tissue packets (not every bathroom has toilet paper, or the
quality we are used to)
- Sanitary napkins/tampons
- Condoms/birth control
- Phone card (available but more expensive abroad)
- Address book
- Adapter and voltage converter (Europeans use a different
electric currency than we do. Your electrical appliances will not
work. It is not recommended to bring electrical appliances, but if
you must, also bring a converter.)
- Alarm clock (battery operated)
- Bath towel and shower shoes
- Batteries
- Camera and film
- Day pack
- Flashlight
- Guide books (Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Fodor's) and maps
- Luggage
- Lock and tags (label absolutely everything with a permanent
marker)
- Baby wipes, anti-bacterial hand lotion
- Pocket calculator (to translate local prices into dollars)
- Sewing kit
- Walking shoes (good, sturdy, comfortable, worn-in)
- Rain jacket and/or umbrella
- Zip-close bags (great for keeping things dry, like money belt
etc.)
Communications: Make advance arrangements
When are you expected to call and check in with family and/or
friends? Phone cards are available for about 50
cents a minute. E-mail is available in Internet cafés
for about $1.50 a half-hour.
Health Medications
Remember to take a supply of prescription medicines in original
bottles in your carry-on luggage. Work with the pharmacist to get
smaller bottles with the dosage printed on them. Pharmacists are
familiar with the new travel requirements, too. This includes birth
control/contraceptives.
Prescription medicines and written prescription. Keep written
prescriptions in your stowed luggage.
First aid kit (including: motion sickness medications, laxatives,
anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, pain relievers, decongestants,
antiseptics, and bandages). Inoculations or immunizations are not
necessary in EU member nations, but you may prefer to have a flu
shot and MMR before departure.
Additional Advice
Take advantage of new things.
Don't hang out only with Americans; visit with host nation citizens
when possible.
Count your change after you buy things.
Take advantage of cultural events.
Always play it safe and follow your instincts.
HAVE FUN!!!
Student Organizations
MESO - Multi Ethnic Student Organization -
This club provides opportunities for students to become more
culturally sensitive to, and aware of, multicultural and human
relations issues. The organization provides an avenue for
students to gain skills to set and meet goals, improve their coping
skills, increase their knowledge and skills on how to make the
system work, and to experience greater involvement in the
College. Contact Margarita Feyerherm, Multicultural
Recruitment and Retention Specialist, for information on this
organization mfeyerhe@southeast.edu or
402-228-3468 ext. 1351 or 1-800-233-5027 ext. 1351.
CultureGrams
The Access/Equity/Diversity Office provides access to a
database, "CultureGrams" which offers reports on
countries and territories. Each report includes 25 categories such
as land and climate, history, personal appearance, greetings,
gestures, family, diet, holidays, economy, education, health, and
events and trends.
Link: http://online.culturegrams.com/