<p>Yes. Weight is usually 50 lbs. And sometimes up to 70 depending on the type of ticket - business class gets more and first class the most. D found a hook-type scale (Just hook handle of suitcase through it and lift) that she packed with her so she could weigh things before her numerous travels throughout Europe. D was excited about joining a program in Madrid. Well, it didn't work out well. It seems as though everyone came in groups from their schools, and D is the only one from her school, so odd-man-out. D was NEVER adventurous, but wanting to see things led her to travel on her own. Hold off on the ticket until you see how things go.l</p>
<p>mythmom - a HUGE WARNING; please, please check the airlines lost luggage policies for overseas flights; they are very different than domestic flights. Since your daughter will basically be cramming all her living needs into two large suitcases (and you CAN fit a lot in two large suitcases), she will definitely bypass the standard coverage of the contents of her suitcases, should they be lost.</p>
<p>I HIGHLY advise to take out the additional insurance; she will basically need to get a rough estimate of the contents of her suitcases and figure out how much additional insurance she will need to purchase in case it gets lost and you need to replace all her living needs while she's there (same goes for her return trip; if the stuff never makes it back to the states the lost luggage reimbursement is horrible).</p>
<p>If you don't have the hook-type, just weigh yourself first, then hold the bag and weigh yourself again, with the bag. Then just subtract.</p>
<p>Ditto on the duffles (with wheels) compared to rigid frame, which can weigh fully half the allowed amount. Learned this the hard way.</p>
<p>Has she talked with anyone at King's through Facebook? I am amazed at how interconnected things seem, although "seem" might be the operative word! My S (also leaving on New Year's day, from JFK) is singing for 5 days with an English choir in Eton, and he's already talking through Facebook with the other kids who will be singing--he only knows one of them from a previous singing engagement. I'm not sure how much ice breaking goes on by way of Facebook, however.</p>
<p>Congrats to your D for her adventurous spirit!</p>
<p>Thanks again. I really like your ideas. Duffels sound like great ideas. Oh boy nuemes, that sounds like fun. My S sings in Williams' choir and loves it.</p>
<p>S took classes at King's College (University of London) through the NYU in London program, and was very satisfied with the housing that was provided - the roommates/residents were not only from NYU but from other colleges and universities.</p>
<p>Your daughter should be able to request temporary housing in another dorm for some or all of the break month, if she does not want to go home or to travel.</p>
<p>On flights FROM the UK, her one carry-on is limited to 56 X 45 X 25 cm. They are very strict about this. Be sure her intended carry-on bag is within the restrictions.</p>
<p>I studied abroad in the UK last spring. I found that two rolling suitcases were enough to carry everything I needed from January to June. What was much harder was getting things back to the US. The weight limits were 70 pounds/bag on the way there, and 50 pounds/bag on the way back. I ended up paying overweight fees, which actually weren't too much, and saved me the headache of shipping things back. </p>
<p>I studied at Queen Mary, which is in the University of London system. If you or your daughter have any specific questions about London or the colleges, please feel free to ask me. I love talking about my time abroad!</p>
<p>Also, may I suggest that she consider membership with the International Student House's travel club. They do great trips all over the UK and Europe that are subsidized by the govt. and are with study abroad students. I made several friends from going on them and they were affordable and safe. It was the easiest way for me to travel!</p>
<p>Nikara: Those are great tips. And thanks to everyone else. D is reading this thread in her dorm so I don't overwhelm her with tidbits coming from me.</p>
<p>Nikara -- D also applied to Queen Mary, but coming from Barnard, she is very used to being right in the city so she chose Kings. Queen Mary looks beautiful in its pictures.</p>
<p>Second the "check with the airline" on weight limits. It should be on their website. I think 50 # is pretty standard now (or maybe mine went with cheapskate airlines) Cutting out the hair appliances most girls seem to need would help a lot - can she just go short and natural?<br>
What worked for mine last summer: Jeans and layers. Trimmer non-us type athletic shoes (Puma or similar). Darker colors. Small handbags that can be kept over the shoulder but under the jacket in tourist areas like Rome and Barcelona. I hope she has a great time! Wish we could all go along...</p>
<p>mythmom, tell her to keep in mind that when she is flying FROM the UK, she will be allowed only one carry-on, and that includes her purse. If she chooses to take a backpack and a purse, the purse must be able to fit inside the backpack. My D learned this the hard way connecting through Heathrow this summer.</p>
<p>Well, she can't "go short" because she has waist length hair, but she can go natural because she has Pre-Raphaelite wavy-curly hair, perfect for London.</p>
<p>Will be sure to be careful about weight and carry-ons. Good tip about purse.</p>
<p>Yup. You definitely want to buy any hair electronics in London, as they tend to fry easily from the voltage differences. </p>
<p>London in an incredible city, so I can definitely understand why she would want to live right in the middle. Queen Mary was just a mile away from the tower of London, so it wasn't that far out. Does she know where she is living yet? It looks like the "campus" of Kings is pretty spread out, so she will definitely need to get used to public transportation! At least you guys are from New York, and used to it. As a southern California girl, public transport is not very popular! It took some getting used to, but it is so easy to get around London that everything should be fine.</p>
<p>I went to london for ~4 days last year and I loved it. It was amazing because it was perfect weather---didn't rain once! haha. </p>
<p>anyway, to whoever said wellies were too much....
I beg to differ. </p>
<p>just because wellies are very stylish right now, haha, its commonplace to wear them anywhere---I have a pair and so do a lot of my friends, and I live in NY.
JCrew has some adorable ones.</p>
<p>I am reading this thread with interest because my son is also planning to do a study abroad and mentioned England. I have to confess I am not too enthusiastic about it because of the high cost of living there and because of the weather. Not the snow or rain, but gloomy overcast days. </p>
<p>Anyway, I wanted to agree with the suggestion of just buying the Jan departure and June return tickets now. I believe that most kids do travel during the time off and that the possiblity of her making travel friends is very high. What better (and less expensive) time to travel then when she is already over there. Have you thought about sending your son over during his break?</p>