<p>D is going to Spain for Study Abroad, then three months with relatives in Germany before second semester in Germany. Airline restrictions prohibit more than 2 suitcases, 100 lbs. Sounds like a lot, but it really isn't, since she will be there for all 4 seasons, and with the Euro being so high, shopping there will have to be limited. Now that our post office (and all of them around the world) have eliminated parcel post, and everything has to go priority mail, what is the cheapest way to ship things overseas? We tried UPS, but they were more than the PO.</p>
<p>How will your daughter be travelling within Europe? It is really difficult to manage two suitcases alone on a train. There are always stairs, and if you leave one bag at the top while taking another one down, there is the risk of theft. </p>
<p>Since she is going to Spain first, she could pack mostly for warmer weather--it is generally nice in most areas until November. It will be quite hot at first, and the university classrooms will likely not be air conditioned (nor will the homestay or student residence). So tank tops, camis, etc. with a couple of shirts to add as needed are good; skirts or sundresses are much more commonly worn than shorts (shorts will actually mark her as an American). Bring a couple of sweaters that can be layered and a light rain jacket, also a pair of jeans and khaki/dark pants. That really should get her through until she goes to the relatives in Germany, and she could possibly leave her warmest-weather clothing there and go back for it or have them send it to her in late spring if it warms up (sometimes it does and sometimes not). She could probably buy a coat and a few additional warmer clothing items when she gets to Germany for the cost of what you would pay to ship things to her. The euro truly is a killer now, but it is possible to find functional items in discount stores--Carrefour in Spain, Toom, Ratio, etc. in Germany, and of the more fashionable stores, H & M, Pimkie, Promod, and C & A are my daughter's favorites, and she always finds a bargain. These stores seem to be all over western Europe. Students here tend to wear the same clothing a lot rather than different outfits every day, and they frequently air sweaters and pants rather than laundering. Really 3-4 mixable/layerable tops and bottoms will get her through the winter. Remember those sunny Spain tank tops and camis--good for an additional inside layer to ward off the damp German winter chill. She'll want warm gloves and socks and a couple of scarves (and definitely an umbrella), but she can get those here. Leather goods are generally cheaper in Spain, so if she is going to want to get boots, it would be better to do it there, even if she has to wear them rather than pack them when travelling to Gemany.</p>
<p>Other ideas to minimize what she needs to pack: a low maintenance hairstyle that doesn't require appliances and lots of products; take only travel size lotion, shampoo, etc., and buy large enough items to last for that leg of the trip at each destination.</p>
<p>Also, she could look for a carry-on computer bag close to the maximum size allowed by the airlines (get one that can attach to the handle of her rolling suitcase and if possible that also has a pull-up handle and wheels to make it easier to get through airports after the big bag is checked). Then instead of carrying a purse, make the other carry-on personal item a zippered shoulder tote that can double as a book/computer bag for daily use when she is in school. And pack a smaller purse--make it one with a secure inner pocket for passport and a zippered top and diagonal shoulder strap (not much pick-pocketing in Germany, but it is definitely a concern in Spain and perhaps other places she might travel). </p>
<p>Depending on what kind of academic work she is doing, she may want an external hard drive or large capacity USB storage device. And the smaller USB drives are good if she has to have to have printing done in a shop--some universities have good facilities, but when I took some classes at the U of Salamanca about 10 years ago, even the profs had to have their printing done in a copy shop. An extra memory card and battery for the camera are good, also the longest-life battery available for her laptop. Oh, and Skype is very good to save on phone costs. She will probably want to get a 1-year cell phone contract (Vodaphone and T-Mobile seem to be the most popular), and she can get one in Spain that will work in the rest of Europe. Cell phone calls to the states are expensive, but there are other kinds of calling cards available, and if you think you might want to talk a lot, you could also check into Vonage, depending on what kind of internet service she'll have in her housing. Banking--most people just keep their home account with online banking and use an ATM/debit or credit card. I think a credit card is safer.</p>
<p>I guess I'm answering way more than you asked, but I've helped a few young relatives through this recently, and maybe it will be useful info to others if it is stuff you already knew.</p>
<p>Wishing your daughter all the best--it sounds like a great year. And warm thoughts to you, too, with your daughter so far away. We left our daughter in the states for her first year of college, and we really miss her. I've dropped hints at study abroad programs in Paris and Maastricht, only a few hours from us, but she's set on Moscow or St. Petersburg.</p>
<p>There is no inexpensive way to ship a package to Europe. My daughter spent last semester in Madrid. She forgot a few things and asked me to send them. Well, I collected them all and had them all packed in a small box (maybe 10 x 15 x 3) and it was going to cost over $100 for about 7 pounds. Even after I took a few pounds worth of stuff (books) out it was still going to be around $90.</p>
<p>I didn't send it. I told her to buy replacements over there if she really needed them. Which she never did, so while I felt bad at the time, the items obviously weren't that important!</p>
<p>We were lucky enough to be able to go see her over spring break and took her a few things then and brought back A LOT in a spare suitcase we had brought with us.</p>
<p>ReneeV has made a lot of very good points. Travel as light as possible. My D loves H&M!</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter on her year abroad. It sounds great!</p>
<p>I hate to say it, but the best way to get stuff to Europe is with the student...Pack Light! DS was in London for a fall term that encompassed summer, fall and winter weather (since spring is the same...I would say that was "all four seasons"). He packed lightly, took only what he needed, and layered when it was chillier. Also, remember too, if you ship "stuff" and you want to keep it, you need to ship it back to the states which is no bargain either. AND we were told that in the UK, all packages are subject to searches and there was absolutely no guarantee that what you shipped would get to the students. The university actually recommended that nothing be shipped. I would suggest looking at the options mentioned that do not require shipping overseas which is quite costly.</p>
<p>Thanks. You have made some really good points. D doesn't like shorts - never wears them, just jeans and shirts, sometimes skirts. Although we have traveled in Europe before, it is different when you send your kid there for the first time all alone. She will be in Madrid, and she plans to travel all around using the in-country planes, which are cheaper than the train, believe it or not, and take only what she can in a backpack. We have already decided to get her a cell phone there, and she will call and hang up, then i will use a phone card and call her. I checked into Vonage a couple months ago, but they didn't have phone service to Spain or to some of the countries where she wants to travel.</p>
<p>One of my Ds just returned from 8 weeks in Spain and her advice is to pack light. Don't bother with shorts, you'll stand out and attract more attention than you will anyway! Skirts are very popular and also cooler than pants. She won't want to be wearing jeans for the next few months. It's been the hottest summer on record in Spain and, as someone else said, almost nothing is air-conditioned! She can buy cute, cotton skirts there for as low as 10 Euros. My D found the clothing there very nice and also inexpensive, and the styles are different so it was fun to make a few purchases. Your D may have different requirements for a year long program, but none of the kids who were there for the summer abroad program brought their own laptops. Virtually no one has internet access at home there, certainly none of the homestays had it, and there are an abundance of internet cafes that can be used. Check Piccell for their cell phone plans and phones. They can be arranged and delivered before your D leaves the U.S. and they have great rates. Best of luck to her, she's in for a lot of fun!</p>
<p>I've had boys living or travelling overseas--including the UK--since 2004....Sending her with an extra bag on the plane is the cheapest/least amount of hassle--but I agree with other posters. She will regret bringing so much stuff.</p>
<p>Bring the essentials and then count on buying a few cute things as fill-in/ souvenirs. I still have items I bought in Asia 25 years ago. I love them. They remind me of my travels.</p>
<p>If she's desparate, then you can ship.</p>
<p>I just met someone who moved from Asia. She has a bad back so traveled with only one carry one. She shipped other stuff in boxes via DHL. I don't know how much it cost, but it arrived within 7-days of shipping. </p>
<p>For college students, traveling light is a good idea. They can buy stuff locally then store it over the summer either at the college, or by renting a storage box (going in with friends).</p>
<p>Thank you all SO much. D read the thread and said, "So, ask them what I should bring with me." Can you help me again????? She will probably be in a home family situation, but we still aren't sure, so this makes things even more difficult.</p>
<p>My son is going to study in Europe soon for a semester. With a daughter, you need to scheme about how she could manage to handle her own 100 pounds of luggage when necessary in transit. He is bringing one 25 inch rolling duffel and an internal frame backpack that is advertised as perfect for weekend trips and loads of 45 pounds and check them. He will carry a bookbag with his laptop and meds on planes. He will load up each of the checked bags to below the fifty pound limit and we are encouraging him to discard underwear, socks or other items that get tired out if he must buy more clothes to basically discard one thing and add another. We don't want to pay 100 dollar fines because he picked up more clothing. They need to find souvenirs also that are not heavy as shipping items home is not really cost effective either.
I also really like the rolling duffels that convert to backpacks..just long enough to get on that train or walk through the airport and have little daypacks zipped on the outside. The ones I researched are 22 inches so with the daypack removed can go in overheads, but they have good wheels for rolling. Sometimes a girl has to do things in an airport but has no where to leave her luggage and carrying it on your back keeps your hands free in crowds or on train or bus platforms or just long enough to walk to a hostel. My son decided on a true internal backpack without wheels, but he can handle the weight. He will not be backpacking much, but will use the backpack to get around on weekends and for quick trips. If you want my research on these rolling duffels..let me know.</p>