Packing

We are allowed to travel with 1 personal item (like a backpack), 1 carry-on suitcase, and 1 checked suitcase. I will definitely take a checked bag so if I buy souvenirs, I can have a place to put things.  But I will try to condense things as small as possible so if I do get something a little bulky, it won't be a problem. 


Helpful Ideas:
Ask Stacy: How can you go to Europe for 10 days with just a carry-on?
Carry-on Only: Packing light makes overseas travel a breeze
How to travel anywhere with nothing but a carry-on 
Women's Carry-on packing list 
International Travel Carry-on checklist for women

Cameras: You want every moment of this trip documented!!! Best to bring a cheaper ($100-ish) camera that takes regular batteries instead of a fancy one with a special charger. Then you can carry enough battery power with you and if something happens to the camera it’s not a big deal.

I am planning to get both an inexpensive camera for good pictures and an inexpensive video camera.  

Electronics: 

• Definitely bring some kind of computer for uploading pictures/videos onto the internet, or writing blogs. A tablet is pretty ideal for this trip if it has some way to receive the image and video files.  
• Some kind of e-reader so you don’t need to carry paper editions of the texts used in the classes. This will be especially handy for when we will review certain passages of the reading as we travel or once we arrive at a location.
• Part of the travel study program fee covers the purchase of an English Tracfone loaded with some minutes. This is so we can coordinate as a group and be able to get in contact if somebody gets separated or lost.
• Voltage differences: Computer charger cords usually have a box built into the chord that is a voltage adapter.  But phones, tablets, hair dryers, straighteners, etc., do not and you’ll need a voltage adapter or they’ll get FRIED!  
• It's usually very rainy, so a straightener/curling iron are pretty useless. I am planning to get a travel-sized hair dryer with built-in voltage adapter, though.  I have very thick hair that stays wet for HOURS unless I blow dry it.
• You will also need a plug adapter because English outlets are different than American ones.

Clothing:

• GOOD, (waterproof is a good idea) WALKING SHOES (we are going to be walking 4 - 8 miles every day and standing a LOT. Preparation helps to minimize the inevitable pain!)
• Flip flops for the public showers
• Some church clothes (Understandably, most tourist-popular churches treat you much nicer if you dress and act in a way appropriate for worship and not like a photo-seeking foreigner. You will also be able to participate in their worship services.)
• It's not often hotter than 75. Sometimes only 50. Plan accordingly.
• A light jacket that can fold up small goes a long way (rain jacket/wind breaker).
• Pack clothes for only 5 days - 1 week. We will be able to do laundry in our apartment.
  This will save precious space in your luggage.