<p>D is leaving next week for a semester abroad in eastern Europe (non-Euro country.)
What are we forgetting?
passport, currency, European flat iron (LOL, an essential!), plus adaptors, insurance card, have notified credit card company of travel dates....What else?</p>
<p>Make copies/take photos of every important card and document and keep them secure. If her bank card has a PIN of greater than 4 numbers, change it to 4 numbers as that seems to be what works in most of Europe.</p>
<p>Take a basic first aid kit, with some over the counter meds if your D is likely to need them. The medication available is not always the same or easy to find. I had my infection prone, allergic to multiple antibiotics daughter also take a bottle of the antibiotic that worked for her when she traveled just in case. If you bring medications, have a copy of the script or pharmacy labels just in case, though our family has never faced issues about medications when traveling abroad. Also, I think it is always nice to travel with lots of earplugs- planes are always noisy and some residences are in louder areas.</p>
<p>Wishing her a great semester!</p>
<p>Remind her to get local currency out of the ATM when she is in the destination airport. Nothing worse than looking for an ATM machine in an unfamiliar city. Withdraw enough cash to last a few days.</p>
<p>If you may want kiddo to call home with a calling card, pick one up at Costco or similar. It’s just a few cents a minute. If you don’t want to do that, kiddo could get a pre-paid phone at destination. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Peanut butter. After the first trip I always threw a couple jars into our luggage. This may vary by country, but it sure is hard to come by in Finland. That is, if you like peanut butter…Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but really, I missed it.</p>
<p>Credit card with computer chip. Some ATM’s and cc machines do not accept ours. Phone or capacity to purchase a local one. Is she set up to Skype? Have her give you copies of important docs. as well. Have local contact numbers for US Embassy or Consulate. Does she have medical and travel insurance? Is she in a dorm or private home? Does she have an account with a bank that has an international branch? Camera to capture the sights and people to preserve the wonderful memories that she will have abroad! Safe travels.</p>
<p>Camera! She is used to taking pictures on her iPhone. Stupid question - if we don’t activate it for international use (will get a cheap phone over there), will the camera still work?</p>
<p>I discussed the chip for the credit card with the cc company. They are aware of the issue but don’t offer a chip card.</p>
<p>She researched back packs and got one that should work well for weekend travel.</p>
<p>If you can talk her into it, a money belt is a really good idea. My own D was very resistant until a friend on her same semester abroad trip was robbed. The friend was on a weekend trip outside the country they were studying in and had to replace her passport there which was a huge hassle. Suddenly my D saw my point.</p>
<p>12 foot power strip with own adapter to wall.
Prevents electronics from getting fried.
Sturdy lock for her luggage (not TSA) to use a storage place to keep meds, extra cash, valuables safe and out of view.
Luggage strap with combo(TSA approved) is also good
$100 crisp new $1/$5 USD bills, usable when she doesn’t have time/too dark/unsafe to local currency from ATM, peers will exchange $ with her and cafes may accept USD…
Also good for tips for taxis.
Must be crisp new bills only.
Small good quality binoculars if she is planning to got to large concerts, large rallies, enjoy nature.
Small cross body purse she can conceal under her coat.
If she is allergic to latex, latex free band aids.
Remind your d to get local currency in small denominations so she can pay for small purchases with cash.
Every time she gives her credit card to a cafe waiter/shop keeper and they duck behind a curtain she risks exposing herself to credit card fraud for just a few dollars spent.
Set up online account so you can track for fraudulent charges.</p>
<p>Small travel size tabasco sauce. Foreign food in many countries is bland especially to a Texan. Second the issue of peanut butter especially in the portion cups. </p>
<p>Son was in Asia for 7 months and the favorite item in the food care package was dried mac and cheese to which milk or water can be added!</p>
<p>Have her take a crossbody purse that zips and clips. I took a purse where the strap had a clip and you could then clip it to the pull on the zipper. Pickpockets are looking for easy pickings not ones where they have to work at it. Make sure the flat iron is European. Even with the adaptors many will cause damage and blow out over time. I still took pics on my Iphone with cellular and wifi off in airplane mode. No charges. A lot of the young women in Paris and London used Longchamps bags for travel. She would blend in with one but it isn’t crossbody. ATMs were very convenient. Check with your bank about “sister” banks for less fees. If there is time you can get her a new credit card with a chip and no foreign transaction fees. They add up over time. I had my bank set up a free separate travel account with a new debit card that had a small amount of cash in case the debit card was compromised. We brought over peanut butter and M&Ms for the student we were visiting. She said they just weren’t they same over there.</p>
<p>Water bottles. Fountains are rare to nonexistent. Or she can save the first bottle she buys there to refill. If she has access to a freezer, an ice cube tray. People don’t care much about ice in at least parts of Europe.</p>
<p>If she is a candy lover, like my D, the candy is different there. They may have large quantities of interesting chocolate and a huge variety of very soft gummies, but not much else. It’s definitely worth packing a few bags of favorites for cravings.</p>
<p>Whatever her favorite wash accesories are. If she uses washcloths, she may not find them there, so take a few with.</p>
<p>Equip her cross body with an inside leash that is attached to a small wallet that holds her IDs, paper currency.
Another leash to a coin purse that will hold most of her small spending $, since most currency is coined for amounts of $5, $2, etc.
Zipped inside pocket for her passport when she is traveling.
Clear plastic zippered bags(think notebook binder pencil bags) to organize her backpack, no loose items to drop out of unzipped pockets.
Have her put her passport in the same safe place each time she uses it.
That way she will not “hide it too well” from herself.</p>
<p>My d traveled on her own last year. A girl she met in one of the hostels suggested that females carry a small rubber doorstop. Even in hotels/ private homes stops unwanted visitors opening the door while the girl sleeps.</p>
<p>I probably wouldn’t bother with US currency. I can’t imagine a business that would take it in lieu of the country’s own currency.
Many stores don’t take credit cards for small purchases and some restaurants won’t take them at all, so having cash is a good thing. Even though her credit/debit card isn’t chip and PIN, it should work just about everywhere. The business should be able to swipe and sign. If there are enough Americans going through they should be well used to it. One of these years we’ll join the rest of the world and upgrade our technology. </p>
<p>A coin purse.
Pepto Bismol (if she’s prone to stomach upset). I know it isn’t sold OTC in France and may be the case in other European countries as well.
Any prescription meds for the duration. You may not be able to send meds through the mail to her.
A reusable shopping bag. I usually buy a couple as souvenirs, but take a folding one along on travels. It goes into my purse. You never know when you’ll need it.
Taco seasoning, Sriracha, Tabasco, Chili powder
Wash cloths</p>
<p>She should have her phone in Aircraft mode to avoid being hit with roaming charges. Her phone will take photos just fine. When we were in France in December my daughters were able to iMessage to friends here w/o having cell service. We connected to WiFi whenever we were in the apartment.</p>
<p>Agree that IF you can get kiddo to agree to it, a money belt to hold passport, CC and other tough to replace things and worn UNDER clothing is a great part of worry-free travel. We always use it when we go to places known for high levels of pickpockets & BELIEVE our kids see the point.</p>
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<p>When DD studied abroad in Denmark she very much missed peanut butter too! She tried to bring one of those huge jars that you get at costco with her, but they confiscated it at the airport. When a friend was headed over there for a business trip, we had her bring some and put it in the luggage so it would make it through for her.</p>
<p>When son was in Central and South America for an extended period of time we phone texted using “What’s App” app that allows it to happen using WiFi so there was no charge.</p>
<p>S had a small pouch that you wear under your clothing around your neck. He kept his passport and other cards there. He didn’t take it off for 108 days.</p>
<p>Y’all are brilliant!!! Thanks so much!</p>