The general rule is ‘half the clothes and twice the money’. Pack light and leave extra room in your luggage to take souvenirs home. Previous students have found that luggage with wheels is preferable. A hiking backpack is good for maneuvering around busy train stations and getting up and down lots of stairs. Also bring a small shoulder or backpack for short trips and weekend excursions.

Baggage limitations
Most airlines allow you to check two bags and bring one carry-on. Also, make sure that your luggage does not exceed the weight limit set by the airline. Please check on the specifics with your program director or the airline.

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR THINGS TO BRING

Clothing
You may want to consider that the typical European dress is generally more formal than the way that people dress at Tech. It is common for Europeans to dress up when going out for the evening or going to the city. While you can’t take everything, here’s a list of things you shouldn't’t do without.
* Flip flops for the shower and hostels
* Bathrobe - as most of you will be using the public shower
* Shoes to bum around the house in. You are required to wear something on your feet at all times because the oils from your feet stain the antique tiles in the Villa.
* Rain clothes and an umbrella
* COMFORTABLE, broken-in walking shoes.
* A bathing suit - for possible opportunities on trips or at Lake Lugano
* A lightweight jacket or windbreaker & a heavy jacket. A nylon jacket with zip-out fleece lining is practical for all kinds of weather.
* Sweaters and/or sweatshirts
* Long pants and shorts
* Short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts
* One nice outfit
* Socks and underwear

Medicine and Toiletries
Most medicines are very expensive in Europe. If you have a particular brand you require, we suggest you bring extra of that brand as you may not be able to find it here. Also pack:
* A plastic bag, or a Zip lock bag or cosmetic case to carry toiletries for trips.
* Pack cold remedies, painkillers, and diarrhea medicine.
* Enough contact lens solution for your entire stay, cleaner, eye drops, extra set of contacts, and a copy of your prescription
* Prescription medicine and any medicines that you need
* Small first-aid kit, including Band-Aids
* Toothbrush and toothpaste
* Shampoo, comb or brush
* Cosmetics, sunscreen, moisturizers
* Razor and razor blades
* DO NOT BRING hairdryer, curling iron,& hair clippers. We have them at CESA.
* Towel for use outside of the Villa

Documents and Other Necessities
* Passport and any visas you may need. To enter Switzerland, you need a valid passport that is good until at least 30 days after your anticipated return to the US. The various colleges deal with obtaining passports differently. Please refer to your program director with questions.
* Tickets and rail passes
* Money belt/neck wallet - should be comfortable and large enough for passports
* International Student ID Card. You can get this at the Cranwell International Center on campus
* Cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards, and an ATM card
* Insurance information
* Calling card
* Youth Hostel Card. You may want to consider this as youth hostels are good, cheap alternatives to hotels with costs ranging from $5 -$20 a night. You can get this at the Cranwell International Center or purchase temporary membership if you arrive at a hostel without a card.
* A good, practical travel guide such as Let’s Go, The Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, etc. There are plenty of travel guides available for your use at the Villa as well.

Miscellaneous
* A journal (or two)
* Books to read and share
* Computer disk(s) for your personal work and email
* The voltage in Europe is 220 watts, compared to 110 watts in the US. To power your US electrical appliances you will need a transformer with adapter compatible with European standards. It can be bought at Radio Shack or other such electrical appliance stores.
* Camera and lots of film - most people use at least ten rolls. Film is more expensive in Europe. APS film is also not as widely available as in the US.
* Lots of batteries, particularly if your camera takes a lithium battery.
* CD’s and tapes
* Names, addresses, email, phone numbers of people you want to keep in contact with and those you never planned on writing. You never know with whom you’ll want to stay in touch.
* Pictures of family, friends, and pets
* Battery-operated alarm clock
* School supplies, notebooks, paper, pens and any required textbooks. Of course these products can be purchased here, but they are a little more expensive than in the US. There are also lots of leftover supplies –papers, pens, sketchbooks – from previous students.

**Note: Due to events of September 11, 2001 you should put items such as razors, razor blades, manicure scissors, etc. in your checked luggage rather than in your carry-on luggage to prevent delays at the airport.**

In August and September, it can be quite warm and humid, reaching temperatures in the 80s and 90s. In December and January, temperatures are usually in the 30s and 40s, sometimes going below freezing at night. You may see some snow here, but mostly it will be raining. The house gets quite chilly in the winter, so bring warm clothes. In the spring, it rains often and you may find temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 70s.

You will spend more than you expect. Switzerland is very expensive. However, if you are careful from the beginning, you will be thankful towards the end of your trip.

Cash/Traveler’s Checks
* Previous students suggest that you bring at least $1,000 in cash and/or traveler’s checks. You will undoubtedly spend more using your ATM or credit card.
* There are times when it is easier to exchange cash. In addition, some vendors (i.e. in Italy and Hungary) will accept US dollars.
* Extra traveler’s checks are a good idea as you can always cash them back in the US if you don’t use them all. You can get US traveler’s checks in Europe but they are more expensive since you have to exchange local currency into US dollars.
* In the US you can buy traveler’s checks at most banks, the AAA office, and American Express. We advise you to get American Express Traveler’s Checks. They are more widely accepted and you can exchange them at any American Express office without a fee.

ATM Cards
* You will most likely be able to use your ATM card to get cash and a better exchange rate. Check with your bank to find out how much you will be charged for an overseas withdrawal (generally $1-$5 per transaction). Check/debit ATM cards linked with a checking account and Visa or Mastercard are less ....problematic than cards linked to savings accounts on the Cirrus or Plus network.
* In general, banks in Europe will withdraw money from your checking account (you will not have a choice between checking or savings). If you have an ATM card linked to both checking and savings, you should keep your money in the ...checking account.
* Your PIN number should be only 4 digits long.
* The bank in Riva San Vitale accepts cards on the Mastercard, Visa and Cirrus Network. However, there are many banks in Mendrisio (5km away) that accept PLUS cards.
* Don’t rely on this method as your only means of getting money because the computerized links cannot always be established.

Credit Cards
* Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express in Europe, although often budget hotels, local restaurants and small shops accept cash only.
* The exchange rates for credit cards are often better and they are useful for emergencies.
* If you have a 4 digit PIN number, you should be able to make a cash advance at an ATM. Be aware though that most cash advances incur a transaction fee (usually 2% of the advance, min. $2, max. $20) and interest accrual from the day the advance is posted to your account. The charges can add up. Cash advances should be your last resort for getting money.

Exchanging Money
* Exchange rates are posted in most major newspapers such as The Washington Post, USA Today and also on the internet.
* You should wait until you arrive in Switzerland to exchange large sums of money because you will get a better exchange rate than in the US.
* It is advisable that you bring a small sum of Swiss francs if you are arriving late in the day and on weekends when the banks are closed.
* The banks in Switzerland do not charge a commission. The fee is built into the exchange rate.
* Some exchange counters charge a flat fee whether you change twenty dollars or one hundred. If you have cash, several of you can go together on one exchange and split the commission cost. Other exchange counters charge a percentage of what you exchange.

Miscellaneous
* Make sure neither your ATM nor credit cards are going to expire while you are here! Authorizing and activating new cards from here is incredibly painful and not always possible.
* ATM cards and credit cards are the best way to have your money supply replenished. Have your family members deposit money in these US-based accounts when you run low.
* There is a Western Union at the Lugano and Mendrisio train station. However, you must pay a wiring fee to collect your money.
* It is possible to open a savings account at the local bank that will allow you to cash checks or receive a wire transfer. There is a charge of approximately $7 for each check that has to clear internationally and the process takes up to 10 business days.

* The cheapest way to travel around Europe is to buy a rail pass (Eurail pass or Europass). These can only be obtained in the US and should be purchased before you leave. They are available through most travel agents and AAA. Plan ahead. Think about where you want to go and how many trips you’re thinking of taking. Then buy the rail pass that best fits your needs.
* Your rail pass must be validated at a ticket window in the train station BEFORE you use it for the first time. Don’t try to cheat by writing the date in pencil or waiting to write the day in when you see the conductor coming to check. They will fine you or take away your ticket or both. This is no joke. Fines run up to 50 Swiss francs. In Europe, the day is written before the month. Remember this when filling in your pass. There is no forgiveness for mistakes!
* There are some trains where the rail pass is not valid, such as the Glacier Express to Zermatt. On high-speed trains you will have to pay for a reservation and you may have to pay a supplement.

 

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