Studies Abroad

Packing List

Essentials:

• Passport
• Airline tickets
• Prescriptions

Luggage:

• 1 large backpack for spring tour and traveling
• 1 extra duffel bag (if desired)
• 1 smaller backpack for weekend trips

Note: Students should only bring as much luggage as they can carry by themselves. There can be hefty fines if luggage is over the weight limit so students should weigh their bags before they leave and check with their airlines as to the weight restrictions.

Money:

• Traveler’s Checks
• Credit Card / ATM Card
• Foreign Currency (having 50-100 Euros before leaving could be helpful upon arrival)
• Personal Checks (the bank near the center will accept personal checks )

Note: Students should check with their banks to make sure their ATM cards will work and also check to see how much they will be charged for using a foreign ATM machine (sometimes there can be expensive surcharges).

Clothing:

• 2-3 pairs of jeans
• 1 pair of khakis
• 1-2 nice dress outfits
• 2-3 fleeces or sweatshirts
• 3-4 long sleeve shirts (at least one thermal)
• 1-2 pairs of shorts
• 1 swimsuit
• 8-10 pairs of socks
• 10-12 pairs of underwear (students will need them all for spring tour)
• 1 pair of hiking boots (optional)
• 1 pair of athletic/walking shoes
• 1 pair of dress shoes
• 1 pair of flip-flops (can be used for hostel showers and to wear at the center)
• 1 pair of house shoes (slippers, can use flip-flops, or can buy a pair when arrive)
• 1 hat (if desired)
• 1 lightweight windbreaker/rain jacket
• 1 heavy coat
• a pair of glove or mittens, scarf and stocking hat (if desired)
• 1 set of workout clothes (if desired)

Note: Once everything is packed take out 1/3 of it--

• there are laundry facilities at the center
• if needed students can buy clothes in Europe
• layering clothes is advised
• comfortable and versatile clothes are the best
• do not pack hangers
• remember these are the clothes students will live in for 8 months so they should bring the things that they can stand to wear for that long

Toiletries:

• essential personal items such as contact solution, medications, etc.
• specialty items that students cannot live without (ex: need special brands)
• feminine products (they are also available in Europe)
• deodorant
• razors (make sure to pack these only in checked luggage)
• travel size kit with small bottles for shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toothpaste (these will be handy for weekend travel, students can refill the bottles)
• Pain relievers and decongestants/ cough medicine (many over-the-counter medicines are not available without a prescription in Austria, so bring along common cold medicines)
• Special cosmetics and perfumes/colognes (ex: clinique)

Electronic Equipment:

• MP3 Player
• A few favorite DVDs
• Dual voltage adapters are good but buying adapters there is best
• Students can bring curling irons and hair dryers with adapters, but it's much better to buy them there: they work better, are not too expensive, and do not require adapters
• TI-86 graphing calculator if taking stats in the spring
• Camera and film (both can be expensive in Europe, be wary of bringing a brand new expensive camera, cameras can be stolen and are often dropped)

Note:

• Stereos are left in the room from past groups. Some but not all rooms will also have hair dryers and curling irons.
• Most all electronics you might desire are available in Europe but can be expensive

Miscellaneous (suggested items)

• 1 sleep sheet (for hostels)
• a neck pillow for train or bus rides (if desired)
• something personal that might be unnecessary (such as some pictures or a favorite movie)
• journal
• box of zip lock bags (large and small ones, useful for packing)
• buy school supplies upon arrival to save room
• travel alarm clock and watch
• hand sanitizer (nice for weekend trips)
• guide books (some are left in the center but can be out of date)
• money belt
• deck of cards
• first aid kit
• Swiss army knife (or buy a real one in Switzerland, pack in checked luggage)

Provided at the Center:

• Sheets and blankets
• Towels (students may want to bring an extra towel for traveling, like a quick drying camping towel)
• Pillows

Weather Information:

September and October in Salzburg tend to be similar to Portland, with temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and a mixture of sun and rain. However, winters are much colder and snowier than in the Pacific Northwest, with low temperatures (10-30 degrees Fahrenheit) and icy conditions more common from November to February. In March and April, it gets warmer (50 to 70 degrees), with a mixture of rain and sun once again.