<p>For certain countries, for example Denmark, I wound up getting a new prescription while there (I had only brought the 3 months that customs declared I was allowed, though many people brought the full five months worth and didn’t run into a problem). Because the exact type/dosage wasn’t as important for my medication, it was easy to obtain in Denmark through a walk-in appointment with a nurse [and that was free-yay!], and the medication itself was much cheaper than what I was used to paying in the U.S. You can knock socialized healthcare all you want…</p>
<p>While I like worriedmom’s advice to buy clothes and certain things in-country, I think it depends country to country. Not to mention the size differences that have been brought up (I had a hard time finding pants above a US size 8 in H&M in Italy, and have a harder time finding pants above size 6 in my town here in Bulgaria…), leaving essentials to be bought in expensive countries like Scandinavia would be an enormous hit on the wallet. Sometimes you just can’t afford to fit in completely…</p>
<p>I am currently abroad for a year and I’m loving my e-reader!!! I got a kindle as a graduation present last year, and though I was initially skeptical, it’s been wonderful to have fresh sources of English language material (and free through e-library loans). Plus, when I travel, it’s light, not as conspicuous as an iPad, and I can download travel guides/language references for countries/destinations I wasn’t necessarily planning on before. I brought 10 books with me to Denmark when I went, and read 2 at best (I was so optimistic), but the e-reader prevented me from over-packing at least in that regard!</p>