Travel Reminders and Packing

If a student has a specific dietary requirement or preference, they are encouraged to let the NSTP Office staff, so that they can attempt to accomodate such requests.

Click here to email your dietary requirement or preference.

Students are encouraged to pack as lightly as possible for all trips, as space is usually limited and is logistically easier.

Appropriate Clothing: Students are strongly encouraged to pack appropriate clothing for both the weather in the destination that they will be traveling as well as for the context of the visits—local customs may be different than in the United States or even on campus, so it is important that students pack appropriately. This is discussed in further detail at the required pre-departure trip meeting.

Footwear: Students are strongly encouraged to pack comfortable shoes that are good for walking long distances in. Students will be on their feet, walking a lot on trips, so it is important that they have comfortable shoes.

Other Items: Students are encouraged to speak to each other and plan on sharing items (e.g. hair dryer, curling irons, etc.)—many hotels also provide some items, like hair dryers, irons.
Sample packing lists and links include:

• Rick Steve’s Packing Light List
• New York Times Article, "Packing Tips From Travel Pros"

Luggage: The Office of Living-Learning Programs does not pay for luggage fees for students on trips. See trip policies for more details. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations state that carry-on luggage may not exceed 22" x 14" x 9". Each airline can also limit the size or weight of carry-on luggage. For students traveling internationally and wanting to check a bag, students are reminded that their bag cannot exceed 50 lbs. Students should also check with the individual airline that they are traveling on for airline-specific requirements.

Specific airline carry-on baggage policies:

• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Delta
• Icelandair
• Jet Blue
• Lufthansa
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Students traveling with a community should review the travel policies regarding safety. These are also reviewed at the required trip pre-departure meeting. A good citizen takes responsibility for his or her own well-being and considers the safety and needs of others. Students are reminded that while traveling with their community, they are representing the University as well as themselves as an individual.

Safety Tips While Traveling

1. Being aware of surroundings: Students are encouraged to stay alert of their surroundings and the people around them while traveling. They should get in the habit of looking back when they get up to leave somewhere, as to avoid leaving or forget belongings
2. Separating sources of money: Students are encouraged to keep cash and credit cards in different places on their person while traveling, in case of pick-pocketing, robbery or theft. Students should also not expose large sums of cash in public, particularly in public transportation areas or large gathering areas.
3. Secure their passport or identification: Students are encouraged to utilize hotel safes to secure their passport, to avoid theft or loss
4. Don’t keep wallet in back pocket: This reduces the risk of pick-pocketting or theft
5. Scan major documents prior to travel: Scanning the photo page of a passport, driver’s license, credit cards (both front and back) can be helpful in the event of theft or loss
6. Don’t leave belongings unattended in public: Students should keep their belongings with them and attached to them to avoid theft/loss. Students should carry bags, purses that have one strap, across their body, as opposed to over one shoulder
7. Avoid giving money to local people
8. Public computer safety: Students should avoid logging into personal accounts (e.g. banking, other systems that have sensitive information) while using public computers
9. Don’t pet stray or feral animals: This reduces the risk of bite or illness
10. Prepare prior to travel and carry a map: Good travelers research a city/region/country prior to traveling there. The Office of Living-Learning Programs has travel guides for all destinations available for loan and checkout for students, as well as provides maps to students of their destination. Students are encouraged to do some research about the local area, prior to travel.

Tips for LGBT travelers

Sexual Assault Prevention

For students traveling internationally, they should review the U.S. State Department documents on safety.

For any student flying (domestically or internationally) and who is bringing prescription medicines with them are encouraged to be sure that the medicine is in the prescription bottle (with the label intact) from the pharmacy. Customs or Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are able to confiscate medications that are not in a prescription bottle with an intact label where the name on the label matches the person traveling.

Over-the-counter drugs should also be in the original bottle/packaging that it was purchased in, or it may also be subject to confiscation by customs or TSA agents.

For any student flying (domestically or internationally), they should be aware of and follow the 3-1-1 guidelines, per the Transportation Security Administration.

For any student flying (domestically or internationally), they should be aware of and follow the prohibited items list, per the Transportation Security Administration

For students traveling internationally, students are encouraged to contact their bank or credit card companies, prior to travel, if they plan on using debit or credit cards on the trip. Transactions are usually declined, as a security precaution, if the bank is not aware that someone is traveling internationally.

Note: all meals, lodging, flights, and any potential fees are covered by the NSTP Office—refer to travel policies.

For students traveling internationally,if they plan to bring their cell phone, they are encouraged to contact their cell phone provider, prior to travel, to inquire about international costs, adding an international calling plan, and what service provider their phone will connect to in their destination.

Both the faculty and student development group leaders of the trip will have working cell phones while on the trip. Those numbers are shared with students, prior to travel, in case of emergency. Students are not required (or even encouraged) to bring their cell phone with them.

For students traveling internationally, students are encouraged to make two photocopies of their passport information page. One of the copies, students should keep in their suitcase on the trip, and the other should be given to someone the student could get in touch with in the United States, should they lose their passport.

If students need copies of their passport and do not have access to a copy machine, they may come to the Living-Learning Programs office in the Boatwright Admin Wing, room 001 and we will make the copies for them. The office also has a scanner that can be used to can scan their passport to email to the student.

For students traveling internationally, they may need an electrical converter or adapter for any electronics or appliances they are bringing with them. Most recently purchased electronics and appliances are dual-voltage (100/250 volts) and a converter is not needed, only an adapter.

There are two standard wall currents in the world: 100-125 volts and 220-250 volts. If your appliance is dual voltage (rated for current between 100-250 volts), it will not need an electrical voltage convertor. However, if your appliance is rated for 100-125, it will be damaged if plugged into 220-250 volt outlets and will need a convertor to operate safely.

About Electrical Adapters

For students traveling to Canada, the Dominican Republic, Belize, or Mexico, no electrical adapter is needed.

For students traveling to Europe, an electrical adapter is needed.