Logistics

Packing and baggage

1. Check with an insurance or travel agent about insuring your luggage and other personal effects.
2. Avoid oversize and overweight baggage.
3. If you intend to travel before or after your program, make arrangements for storage of your luggage. Do not assume that your luggage can be stored at your housing location during dates outside of the program. Daily storage charges in train stations and airports can be quite costly.
4. Mark your luggage tags ahead of time with a clear indication of your name, address and phone number of your destination. Also keep this information inside your bags
5. Leave your detailed travel/flight itinerary with your family. Make sure they know when you are coming home!
6. Arrive at the airport AT LEAST two-and-a-half hours before departure. Go directly to the ticket counter to check your bags and learn about any flight schedule changes.
7. Keep your luggage locked and close to you!

Airlines restrict the amount of baggage that passengers are allowed to carry. In general, passengers on international flights are allowed two bags, each weighing no more than 50 pounds. Requirements vary from carrier to carrier, and it is your responsibility to contact your airlines to determine these requirements. Please note that intra-country flights usually have lower limits. Therefore, if your program includes an in-country flight, you should pack less or be prepared to pay for extra baggage.

You will have to carry your own luggage. It is a good idea to pack your bags a few days before departure and try to carry them when you are tired. Eliminate items that are not essential. Don't take anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home all unnecessary credit cards, expensive jewelry, or irreplaceable family objects! Take a collapsible piece of luggage or leave room in your bags for items acquired abroad.

When packing your carry-on luggage we suggest you include:

• an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
• a map or directions to your destination
• any medications you use (keep medications in their original labeled container to make customs processing easier; if any medications contain narcotics, carry a letter with you from your physician attesting to your need to take them)
• basic toiletries
• a sweater or sweatshirt
• a change of clothes. Do not pack any sharp items such as jackknives, scissors, nail clippers, etc. in your carry-on luggage.

Electrical service varies throughout the world. Most outlets will not accept the two- or three-pronged plugs that are standard in the United States . Therefore, if you intend to take small appliances you will need a set of adapter plugs as well as a voltage converter. These items can be purchased at electronics stores such as Radio Shack or Best Buy. Electric converters work for appliances up to 1600 watts, at least for a while, but good ones are expensive; don't be fooled by cheaper versions because they will burn up your appliance and perhaps cause a fire. Because of the voltage difference, U.S. appliances often short out, even with an adapter and converter. It may be to your advantage to buy electric appliances on-site. If you are bringing expensive electronic equipment such as a computer, obtain all necessary conversion information from a professional before departure.

Most travelers pack too much clothing. Take only what you expect to wear. Although public laundry service is available in most places where students will be staying, it is advised to bring dark colors that will not readily show the dirt. Your clothing should be hand washable and require little care.

Learn the typical climate of the locations you plan to visit. You can acquire other inexpensive items in your host country that will have the advantage of fitting with current trends in fashion and make you less identifiable as a foreigner.

Visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/whattopack/index.html to find a helpful guide for what to pack. The list should be adjusted according to the length and seasonal weather you will experience during your stay abroad.