Eastern Mennonite University

Cross-Cultural Program: Ireland and Northern Ireland -
What to Bring Along

Gloria's List of Required Articles for European Travel

[General] [Clothing]

General

(please adapt the list to your preferences and needs)
  1. Sturdy backpack - preferably not too flashy
  2. Money/Passport Belt - absolute necessity...include your passport, a photocopy of your passport front page (kept separately), several extra passport photos, credit card (if you like), some American cash ($30), plane tickets and flight info; additional money (travelers checks) for souvenirs and for free-travel expenses. These are the things you could absolutely not live without if everything else was stolen.
  3. Enough toiletry items (toothpaste, razors, shampoo, soap etc.) to get you by for 2-4 weeks until you learn to know your neighborhood, prices, and can get to a store. Take enough of your prescriptions and contact lens solutions for your entire stay. Take make-up kit and simple jewelry.
  4. 20 ft. of nylon rope (not too thick) and a few clothespins - this is great not only as a clothesline, but for securing backpacks in the overhead compartments of trains, suspending items from balconies, and clothes fishing (ask me).
  5. photograph album (required)
  6. address book - (should not be your regular address book in case it gets lost -- this happened to a good friend of mine) - include emergency numbers and address of U.S. Embassies for the countries you're traveling in, your credit card company, your travelers check company, your airline and your travel agent or European contact. Don't forget space for the new friends you meet and of course your friends back home.
  7. pocket knife - make sure it has a can opener, or take one along
  8. collapsible (or any) cup
  9. strong spoon, fork and knife (not plastic)
  10. matches
  11. sink stopper - flat rubber one or squash ball works best, this if pretty important if you plan to wash clothes in the sink or if you need to wash your contacts over a sink
  12. plenty of ziplock bags - 1 quart and 1 gallon sizes, these work well to put messy things in for traveling over (shampoo/lotion), then they are indispensable for wet washcloths, dirty silverware, gum, candy, and all those little things like matchbooks, and playing cards which get lost in the bottom of your backpack and shouldn't get wet.
  13. masking tape - if you're going for a year, take a big roll -- you'd be surprised what a few rubber bands, rope and masking tape can do!
  14. sewing kit- this can be small, but don't leave it out. I keep several needles, a pair of small fold-up scissors, various safety pins, straight pins, and black and white thread (on small spools) in a small plastic box (like one for slides) and one spare white button
  15. first-aid kit - a few bandaids, rolaids, pain killer, chapstick, sunscreen, lotion, immodium, insect repellent, and vitamins (include any of these that you use). We'll have some basic first aid supplies, but you should take the things you depend on (prescriptions especially).
  16. peanut butter, granola bars, nuts, or other non-melting "high-energy food" (only if you miss foods from home - snacks are easy to get in Ireland - peanut butter is not)
  17. guidebook, language dictionary and Bible (other books important to you); I carry a hymnal sampler and Mennonite your Way
  18. one roll of toilet paper mashed flat and perhaps several packs of tissues and a small pack of "wet ones"
  19. soap, towel, washcloth (bathing shoes or flip flops - you will be living in dorms/hostels - shower shoes are usually a good idea)
  20. several felt tip pens and paper, some envelopes, and at least one book of American stamps, and a small journal; blank diskettes
  21. extra bags (ie. string recycle bags, a knapsack, several strong plastic shopping bags, or a tote bag or duffel for things like laundry, shoes, dirty/wet clothes)
  22. a small water bottle (one liter soda bottle is perfect)
  23. 2-3 plastic clothes hangers - for drying shirts etc.
  24. combination (or other) lock-optional, but helpful in the hostel
  25. playing cards and other small games - frisbee? Hacky-sack
  26. any Mennonite insignia apparel that might be useful in getting your foot in someone's door
  27. laundry detergent - dry detergent in a double ziplock works well, Fab in individual washer/dryer packs also works well and makes your backpack smell great
  28. travel alarm and your watch
  29. camera, film and batteries (film is expensive in Ireland - developing more so)
  30. walkman, tapes, short wave radio, etc. per your taste. I wouldn't take any on a short trip (like 3 weeks)
  31. voltage converter, adapter plugs, phone line adapters, standard British - if you must take electrical appliances such as hair dryers or travel irons, make sure you have the correct adapters/converters
  32. collapsible umbrella and/or large rain poncho (to fit over backpack)
  33. sunglasses
  34. small flashlight
  35. small gifts from the states for host families
  36. textbooks and other cross-cultural seminar materials

These are the tried and true "necessities" which I prefer not to live without. Add the clothing listed below, and you should be set for the semester and for your week of independent travel.

Clothing

Travel light! Remember that you will have to carry your own luggage. You will want to take warm and comfortable clothing, the more perma-press and drip-dry the better. Take clothing you can layer and that you like and enjoy wearing.

Remember that Irish buildings are not heated to the extent to which Americans are accustomed and it can get very cold and damp. Remember that woolen clothing keeps you reasonably warm even when wet. Choose dark clothes that won't show the hard wear you'll be giving them. It's wise to dress on the neat and conservative side. The following items are recommended:

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