SSU Travels the World

 Here is a list of items that students should consider bringing with them on the 2008 Study-Abroad term in Europe:

Sleeping Gear (remember, this will be your bed for two months)
• good sleeping bag, must be compact
• Therma-rest sleeping mat, or something of equal quality (very important!)
• pillow (small, compactable) and pillowcase
• sleeping bag liner (sheet)-optional but good to have

Washing Clothes (most campsites have washing machines but they tend to be expensive and in high demand)
• detergent for hand-washing clothes, packed in zip-lock bags
• Shout stick for stains
• 2 big flat plastic plugs for wash basins (very important)
• scrub brush (small nail brush works well)
• clothes pins and rope

Other Important Items:
• credit card, bank card, passport (keep passport in baggie for protection from elements)
• Journal -tape, glue, pens, markers, scissors, etc.
• Bible
• money belt and a large safety pin (for attaching to inside of daypack when you tire of wearing it)
• small flashlight and extra batteries (although headlamp is best)
• water bottle
• 2 towels (1 for beach/pool, 1 for shower)
• sunglasses (prescription sunglasses if you have glasses)
• zip-lock bags (for waterproofing and keeping liquids from spilling out)

Clothing:
• 2 pairs of pants
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 6-8 t-shirts or tanks
• 1-2 sweatshirts or fleece
• 1 long sleeve shirt (for layering)
• 1-2 sundresses or skirts (if you’re female)
• lots of underwear
• bathing suit
• 3 pairs of socks (2 lightweight, 1 thicker)
• something comfy to sleep in
• light-weight raincoat / windbreaker
• comfy hat

Footwear (we do a lot of walking so footwear should be broken in, comfy and quick dry)
• pair of good hiking boots or sneakers
• good pair of walking sandals
• cheap pair of shower sandals

Toiletries:
• shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. (can be bought anywhere, so no need to stockpile)
• sunscreen – 30 spf or more
• aloe gel (for when you get burned, which may well happen)
• shaving gear
• hair stuff

Medical Supplies (we will have basic first-aid supplies with us but you should have the following for your own personal needs. Bring enough of these for the entire trip)
• Advil or Tylenol
• cough remedies
• cold medications
• antihistamines (you may find you are sensitive to things in a new setting)
• band-aids and polysporin
• any personal medications/prescriptions you will need

Optional Items:
• camera, mp3
• foot scrub, nail polish, etc.
• inflatable neck pillow for bus rides, flights, etc.
• packlocks for your daypack and your tent
• ear plugs
• power converter/adaptors (so that you can plug in/charge any electrical devices you bring with you)

Money:
You should have two means of obtaining cash in Europe: credit card and debit card. You could prepay on your credit card to avoid interest charges. ATM’s are everywhere so it is unnecessary to bring traveller’s cheques. Also, check with your bank to make sure your ATM card works in Europe and call your credit card company to warn them that you will be overseas for two months (current fraud threats are causing companies to freeze/cancel cards that display suspicious activity).

Ideally, you should think of having around $1000 for spending money. We will be giving you options of extra museums, galleries, and sites to visit beyond what we do together. You also may want to purchase books or art for your presentations (look at this as textbook money).

Take Note:
If you bring electrical gadgets they must be able to be used with 220 V (you may need a converter). You will need an adapter for the UK and one for the continent. There will be limited space available to recharge batteries, and priority at any given time will be given to group equipment over individual use. Laptops are not recommended on this trip because of the conditions all of our gear is exposed to (weather, dust, security, etc).

Bags:
You may bring one backpack or duffle style bag (this must weigh no more than 44 lbs), as well as a comfortable daypack (your carry-on). Your sleeping gear can go in an SSU bag, along with another person’s. You will check two bags for your flight; one will be your personal bag and the other will be an SSU community bag (you will be given an itemized list of its contents and you will be responsible for this bag). One note for bags is that every time we pack up, all of our bags get crammed underneath the bus, and I mean crammed. Ask Ben and he can tell you all about it. It is highly recommended that breakables are kept to a minimum and that your bag can take a bit of wear and tear.

Pack as light as possible because you will be getting gifts and mementos along the way!

Get ready… we are going to have a great time!!!

Below is the basic itinerary for SSU’s upcoming study abroad term in Europe. Students will be exploring museums, galleries, significant pieces of architecture and historic sites throughout the eight-week journey. For a more informative  itinerary, visit the following page enhanced with relevant local information and media links.

multimedia version >>>

Basic Itinerary 

May 21 depart for Madrid via Montreal and Frankfurt

May 22 arrive Madrid, transit to campsite
May 23 Valle de los Caidos (Madrid)
May 24 Segovia and Avila (Madrid)
May 25 Sun. Madrid city day
May 26 transit Barcelona
May 27 Barcelona city day
May 28 driver day off (Barcelona)
May 29 transit Carcassonne
May 30 transit Nice
May 31 transit Florence

June 1 (Sun.) Florence city day
June 2 Sienna (Florence)
June 3 transit Rome, visit Orvieto on way
June 4 driver day off (Rome)
June 5 driver day off (Rome)
June 6 transit Sorrento, visit Monte Cassino on way
June 7 Pompeii (Sorrento)
June 8 Sun. Naples or Almalfi (Sorrento)
June 9 transit Assisi
June 10 Assisi
June 11 transit Venice, visit Ravenna on way
June 12 driver day off (Venice)
June 13 transit Salzburg
June 14 Salzburg
June 15 Sun. transit Vienna
June 16 Vienna
June 17 Vienna
June 18 transit Prague
June 19 driver day off (Prague)
June 20 driver day off (Prague)
June 21 transit Munich
June 22 Sun. Munich city day
June 23 Dachau (Munich)
June 24 Munich city day
June 25 transit Zurich
June 26 Zurich city day
June 27 driver day off (Zurich)
June 28 Zurich, hike in mountains
June 29 Sun. transit Obernai, visit Colmar on way
June 30 Strasbourg (Obernai camp))

July 1 Strasbourg (Obernai camp))
July 2 transit Paris
July 3 Paris
July 4 driver day off (Paris)
July 5 driver day off (Paris)
July 6 Sun. transit near Caen, visit Chartres Cathedral on way (Chateau camp)
July 7 Juno Beach Centre/ cemeteries / D-day beaches (Chateau camp)
July 8 cross channel (Caen – Portsmouth) and transit near Bath
July 9 Bath, Glastonbury, Wells (Bath camp)
July 10 Oxford (Bath camp)
July 11 transit to Winchester / Avebury & Stonehenge on way
July 12 driver day off (Winchester)
July 13 Sun. Winchester
July 14 London (Winchester)
July 15 London (Winchester)

July 16 transit to Heathrow in London and return to Saint John, NB via Montreal

Here is the same information in a downloadable PDF:

Europe Itinerary 2008