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Pre-Departure Checklist
Many thanks to Mr. Jim Kelly of the University of Antwerp for developing
this check list.
Before going to Antwerp you should...
Read up on Antwerp
Get plenty of rest
Be prepared for compact (small) living quarters
Be sure to know your checking/credit card balance - increase line
if necessary!
Plan ahead for the Paris trip; research
the city in advance
Plan ahead for the Amsterdam trip; research
the city in advance
Have an open mind
Get used to getting up early
Bring clothes for all different weather conditions
Be prepared to be patient (waiting in line, etc.)
Don't overpack
Be sure to bring...
Student ID card (for discounts)
Travel umbrella
Very comfortable walking shoes
Alarm clock (battery-powered or wind-up)
Travel iron (multi-voltage)
All necessary medications (carry in hand luggage)
Voltage adapter if you use a U.S. hair dryer/curling iron (multi-voltage
appliances strongly recommended)
Duffel bag/small travel bag
Warm clothes/variety of clothes
Camera/extra film, AA batteries (much cheaper in US)
Travel wallet
Money: Travelers checks, ATM card, check or debit card, cash (but
no $100 bills), credit cards. I strongly encourage you to
get and use a VISA check card (debit card)
Empty space for gifts
Rain gear - travel umbrella!
A range of clothing (shorts, pants, sweaters, T -shirts)
A CD player for bus rides
Addresses to send postcards
A light windbreaker
Phone cards
Extra bag for souvenirs
Flip flops (for hotel)
Small lock for luggage or backpacks
Travel size items
Open mind
Good attitude
Glasses-wearers: extra pair of plastic-lens glasses
But leave behind...
Most electrical appliances (except multi-voltage travel ones)
Uncomfortable dress shoes
American attitude
Most shorts, very light summer clothes
Sandals
Tank tops
Prejudices
Jewelry
Extra recreational clothes
Loud voices
To best benefit, you should...
Be willing to try new things
Be enthusiastic
Try different foods
Keep an open mind
Be prepared for culture shock
Be prepared to walk a lot
Checklist
- Passport--Do not forget it!
- Make three or four photo copies; keep one with you at all
times
- Clothes
- Temperature range 50 - 80 degrees F.
- One business dress outfit is required. We will be
visiting governmental institutions, and business dress is
required. Please also bring a business dress pair of
shoes that is not open-toed.
- Bring at least two pair of very comfortable (NOT NEW) walking
shoes; students will do quite a bit of walking.
- For the guys, a jacket and tie would be appropriate for
the visit to the EU.
- Toiletries
- Current is 240 volts, 50 hertz.
- Hair dryers, curlers, electric shavers, etc., will not
work in Europe without a voltage adapter, or must be
multi-voltage.
- Bring your own pharmacy supplies, e.g., cough drops, aspirin,
contact lenses and cleaner/solution, etc.
- Money
- Bring a VISA debit (check card) or credit card, but no Discovery,
American Express, or Diners. Visa and Mastercard are widely
accepted.
- Travelers' checks are okay
- But: You get a worse exchange rate, and there is often
a transaction charge.
- Small-denomination $US bills are okay - but no $100 bills,
due to counterfeiting.
- Bring a telephone charge calling card if you possess one.
- You can buy Belgian francs in the U.S. before departure, but
it's best to wait to change in Antwerp.
- RECOMMENDATION: Use a VISA check card (also called a
"debit card") at an ATM to get money. You get the
best exchange rate
- BUT: you will have a $1 to $2 charge each time you use
it. Still, this is better than the poor exchange
rates you get when changing cash or travelers' checks.
- Be sure not to forget your student ID card, as it can entitle
you to some student discounts.
- Forget personal checks - they will be impossible to cash.
Other notes
- The time change is 6 (EDT) to 9 (PDT) hours. Therefore when
it is 6:00 am in Virginia, it is 12:00 noon in Belgium.
- Store hours are different in Europe than in the US. Stores have
more limited hours and may not be open in the mornings, during
lunch, late evenings, or on weekends.
- Expected behavior of all students:
- Avoid noisy conversations, especially in public
- Sleeping in class and during presentations is strictly forbidden.
You will lose a significant portion of your grade if you
sleep in class.
- When traveling on bus, please note that bathrooms may not
be available.
- On public tours and at restaurants, professional manners
are expected.
- Be open and positive to accepting the food differences.
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