Suggestions & Tips: What To Bring

• Battery operated book light with extra batteries (for studying at night)
• Beach towel
• Binoculars
• Calculator (for calculating conversion rates)
• Cassette tapes for class review
• Clothes hangers and folding hangers, clothes pins and twine for clothes line
• Cold remedy
• Ear plugs (students say you'll be glad you did)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Flannel night gown/pajamas
• Film for your cameras (it's costly in some places)
• High energy snacks
• Kleenex
• Multi-purpose tape (scotch, masking, duct)
• $10-$15 USD in singles and a couple of $5 and $10 for emergencies
• Notebooks and pens
• Photo ID for cashing traveler's checks
• Plastic bags (they're very hard to find in some areas of the world)
• Pocket knife w/opener & screwdriver
• Rain gear and/or umbrella
• Rubber shoes for the shower, beach
• Sewing kit
• Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes
• Suntan/Sun burn relief lotion
• Toiletpaper
• Vitamins
• Warm sweater
• Wash/dry wipes
• Water bottle (a drinking water bottle, not a hot water bottle)
• Document case or belt (to go inside your clothing) for passport, money, air tickets, extra passport photos, emergency addresses, etc.
• Small notebook (for recording daily events, expenses, names)
• Ballpoint pens
• First aid supplies for minor incidents - band aids, aspirin, etc.
• Currency guide, list of sizes relatives wear, and size conversion chart
• Travel alarm clock
• Camera
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses, prescription for your corrective lenses, extra eyeglasses if you wear them, extra contact lens solution, etc.
• Small towel and washcloth, bath soap, portable clothesline, plastic hanger, packet of suds
• Guidebook (look over the large stock and take along your favorite)
• Small flashlight, extra batteries.
• Bilingual dictionary and possibly a 501 verb wheel or favored grammar text
• Gifts. Most people wait until abroad to determine if gifts are appropriate and if so, pick up something locally (candy, flowers, bakery, specialty food, cosmetics, etc.). Others prefer to take gifts from home and suggest small, light, generic items such as hometown candy, specialty food or recipes, unusual regional spices, anything imprinted with an attractive local or regional emblem or team (lighters, t-shirts, cards, etc.), pictures of hometown, area or family/friends.
• Avoid electrical appliances such as razors, hair dryers, and curling irons. They're heavy and tend to be temperamental when in use.
• Women, wear minimal make-up and plan on a simple, easy to care for hairstyle. Forget manicured fingernails.