My daughter is headed to Madrid this fall for a semester. I would like to send her with only two large suitcases. She will be living in a furnished apartment with roommates. What should she leave home entirely? How about things to buy locally in Madrid?
I’m also curious about what others have done about a mobile phone? I anticipate that it would primarily be used for intracountry calls versus calls home? is it better to rent a phone once she gets there or add international calling to her current phone which is on Verizon Wireless?
Our D was in Salamanca for fall semester of jr. year. She wished she’d packed a better travel hair dryer and her favorite hair gel. Since clothes dryers are not as plentiful in apts. having some lighter weight clothes that hang dry faster was a good thing.
She got a local SIM card for her iPhone (we have Verizon wireless) when she got to Spain (remove the US SIM chip and don’t lose it.) It was much cheaper than using Verizon’s Int’l calling option.
If she doesn’t have to bring bedding, I suggest whatever clothes will fit in one large suitcase and a carry-on bag. She will probably want to travel and while flights can be quite inexpensive throughout Europe, the carry on bag limits are much stricter than in the US (look at Ryan Air for an example). Shorts aren’t as commonly worn there as they are here, so pack mainly pants/jeans. Zara and H&M are relatively inexpensive if she finds she needs more clothes.
Pack some basic medicine (my kid really missed Excedrin), and contact lens solution (or switch to daily wear for those months) as they can be hard to find in specific brands. If she’s really picky about shampoo, hair products, or makeup, bring it along, but she can easily buy there.
We used Face Time exclusively to avoid phone charges, but my D primarily texted to keep in touch.
@LuckyCharms913 is right about having a SMALL roll on bag. Check Ryanair or EasyJet for dimensions. Dayquil & Nyquil were OTC meds that my lot were glad for.
2nd @PiccoloMom1995’s suggestion on the SIM card - works a treat and is cheap as chips (also, if/when the Verizon xim card gets lost, they replace them free)(even if it happens more than once)(don’t ask how we know this). The kids all use wi-fi messaging more than phone calls, and the system is pretty strong- but sometimes having cellular access is useful.
Make sure to not pack the suitcase(s) too tightly: no matter what she will come home with more than she left with! so having some extra space to bring things home is a good plan.
Check any electricals as the wattage is different so picking up a hairdryer in Spain is good. Though maybe she will be sharing with a European and can borrow. Not sure where you are coming from but Spain’s weather is mild in the run up to Christmas. Yes will need a coat but not duvet coats. Toiletries are expensive in Europe if you are going for a brand and sanitary goods. Again don’t know where you’re coming from but sun cream will be needed in September.
If she is living in an apartment and will be cooking and is a cook - I suggest a slim cookbook with her/American favourites. She will be a bit hit if she makes brownies and muffins and pancakes!!
My D just spent a semester in Budapest and one of the best items she brought was her day pack. She travelled nearly every weekend, did her spring break in Italy and finished the trip with a week in Croatia. The day pack was a lifesaver. When staying in hostels, there can be lots of walking from transport sites, not all of it on roads easily traversed with luggage (even on wheels). Her pack was big enough for long weekends and she somehow managed it for the week in Italy as well.