UNO: Study Abroad in Writing

If you’re planning on getting traveler’s checks, don’t waste your time or money. Nobody takes them anymore, and you have to pay sometimes exorbitant fees to get them changed into cash while abroad. The easiest and best way to change money is o simply use your ATM card. You get the daily exchange rate without a mark-up by a currency exchange company. However, do beware of bank fees. You may pay a fee at both ends - from your home bank and the one you are trying get money from abroad. Do yourself a favor and talk to your bank before leaving - sometimes banks can waive certain international fees for a limited period if you talk to them in advance. And also, make sure you let your credit card companies know you will be abroad. Many of them now have theft protection plans where they monitor your spending, and if they see (or if the computer sees) spending out of the ordinary, they will close the card. I’ve known a number of people this has happened to, and it really is simple to fix ahead of time by letting them know. Also, make sure you have numbers you can call FROM your destination (ie a US 1-800 number probably isn’t helpful) in case your card gets lost or stolen…. Although these numbers are readily available on the internet, sometimes it takes some surfing ot find the right one, and you don’t want to be having to surf the net while you’re in panic mode because your wallet or purse has just been stolen.

And finally, you can minimize those bank charges by being careful with your planning. You don’t want to have to get money out every day. But you also don’t want to be carrying tons of cash on you as you explore foreign grounds. Think carefully about how much you legitimately need for the next 4 or 5 days, add a little to it, and get that much. And never, ever, carry all your cards, cash, and id on you at once!

Ok, I hope all this was helpful. I just think its best to plan for the worst, and hope for the best!

Tags: Brunnenburg, General, Montpellier, San Miguel by jeni
No Comments »

I just listened to a story on NPR on How to Pack Everything in One Bag.  Airlines have now limited passengers to one checked item, and one carry on item.  See this NPR article Ode to the Second Checked Bag.  Rules are different for international travel, though, so be sure to check with your particular airline before you go.  I think that some of the tips in this article are good, however, we are going to be away for a full month, which changes things a bit.  I think that it is true, though, that you always want to pack more than you need.  I have been going abroad for the better part of a decade, and  pack less each year.  And I still over pack.  But I know that I over pack.  For the most part, I’m ok with it.  I like having more than three outfits along, and more than one pair of shoes.  But  do think its good to think about what you absolutely HAVE to have, I mean, the bare minimum (keeping in mind that you can do laundry there).  And then add to it what you think you would really like to have.  And then cut that down by half….  I’ll post a list of essentials soon, but in the meantime, I want to introduce you to eBags.

eBags is a website I have been using for a number of years now, in my quest to find the best bag for long haul travel.  For me, I am personally a huge fan of one of eBags own designs, the Mother Lode.  I actually CAN pack a different outfit for 30 days in this bag, which is kind of bad, because then you are really tempted to do that.  Also, fully packed, it will be quite heavy, and right at the weight limit.  However, you won’t need another bag!  I like the rolling duffel because they go down train aisles and bus aisles really well, and if you pack them wisely, you can get so much in them.  And I love the split case feature of the bag, as you can pack shoes and books and such things in the bottom, and don’t have to worry about your shoes - or toiletries - mussing up your clothes.  So anyhow, I am not getting a kickback of any sort from eBags, but I am a fan of the bag (the 25 inch one and the smaller carry on one), so I thought I’d share….

Tags: Brunnenburg, Montpellier, San Miguel by jeni
No Comments »