What to Pack Suggestions

Pack light!!! Only take what you can carry (because you'll have to). Remember that you will probably want to buy some things in Spain to take home, so leave room for that. After you pack everything, try walking around with ALL YOUR LUGGAGE for about 4 hours. Be sure to try to get in and out of cars, public bathroom stalls, up and down stairs, and on and on. When the 4 hours are over, you'll probably want to re-pack.

Required packing

  • Orientation Materials and/or Class Materials
  • Don't forget to pack appropriate orientation materials (such the print handbook). You may be required to buy some course materials before you leave as well. Don't forget to include them in your packing.
  • All your travel documentation
  • Drivers license if you're thinking about driving in Spain.
  • Plane ticket plus a supporting ID with a good picture of you.

Recommended Items

  • A variety of clothing (grungy to nice; cold to very hot weather) that can be mixed and matched. It's nice to have clothing that is non-wrinkly.(Spanish people tend to dress up more to go out. Also, you might have to dress in a specific way for your field study. Also, we're not going off to some way-off place. In Spain, you can buy whatever clothes you can buy in the US but certain things, like American brand clothing (such as Levi's) will be more expensive.
  • Swimsuit and towel (if you travel budget, 2 towels and a washcloth)
  • Tennis shoes or everyday shoes (2 pairs) and dress shoes (1 pair)
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Slippers, thongs or something that can be worn in the house (people don't go barefoot)
  • Umbrella and flashlight (for just those moments…)
  • Small backpack for short excursions, carrying books
  • Electronics (camera, walkperson) and a supply of batteries
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen/suntan lotion (very expensive there)
  • Pocket Spanish/English dictionary (not for school -- you'll need a bigger one -- but one that you can put "in your pocket" for daily needs
  • An electric adapter (or 2) and converter if you have electronic stuff
  • An address book and a telephone credit card

Small Gifts
It's a nice gesture to bring something small with you to give to your host family upon your arrival in Valencia. Often, students have picked gifts specific to their hometown, to the US. or to Earlham. Taking gifts to your families is not required, but it is an appropriate way to "break the ice."

Travel Guides
The program leaders will have some copies of travel guides about Spain. If you want your own copy of a particular guide, you may bring it with you but you can also find these guides (in English) at many bookstores throughout Spain. The Spanish tourist offices (which are located everywhere) also do a phenomenal job of disseminating material about Spain. In fact, the very first thing you should always do when visiting a Spanish city or town or area is go to the tourist office there and get all the information you can (and they often have free posters too…ask).

Family or "Special Things" Pictures
There are times that we all miss family and friends who aren't with us. Often, having some pictures around can help ease the discomfort. Pictures about yourself (family, pets, special things in your life) can also help you become better acquainted with your host family. It's a way of letting your host family know about your US home life. Be careful, however, of not appearing ostentatious with pictures of big houses, etc. The notion of living space is very different for Spanish people.

Suggestions about Medical Supplies
If you are on medication, you will need to bring an ample supply (enough for the duration of the program and some extra) of your medicine. It is also suggested that you bring an official document from your physician verifying your need to take this medication. Both the program leaders and IPO should be informed of required medication and medical needs (for example, allergic reactions to food products or insect bites). If you require medical attention or professional intervention, inform the program leaders immediately.

Suggested Personal First Aid Supplies
It is also suggested that students carry first aid supplies for minor instances of physical discomfort (these would be the incidents in which you, if you were on the Earlham campus, would go to the drugstore for over-the-counter remedies or buy band-aids or other supplies and treat yourself). We repeat, serious problems (and this means any problem in which you even question the seriousness of the occurrence) require consultation with the program leaders.

Below is a list of suggested supplies. Be sure to keep all supplies in original containers.

  • Pain reliever of choice
    • acetaminophen (Tylenol) reduces pain and fever
    • ibuprofen (Advil) reduces pain and fever
    • naproxen (Aleve) reduces pain
  • Cold, cough medicine of choice
  • If prone to allergy problem to environment (e.g., pollen) consider antihistamine of choice
  • Anti-diarrheal medication (Imodium, AD or Pepto Bismol antidiarrheal caps)
  • Antacid of choice -- Tums, Pepcid AC, Zantac OTC
  • Sore throat lozenges
  • Band-aids
  • Bacitracin ointment
  • Hydrocortisone cream 1% (for rashes)
  • Safer sex products (take with you to be certain of quality of product)
  • Birth control pills if appropriate (enough for duration of program plus 2 weeks)
  • Personal care products (tampons, etc.)
  • Eye care supplies as appropriate

 

Things I wish I had taken but didn't…from the 2000 program participants

  • More dressy clothes.
  • My bike.
  • Something to read in English.
  • Disposable razors.

Things I wish I had not taken but did…from the 2000 program participants

  • I didn't listen to all the music I brought.
  • I didn't use my hair dryer.
  • Too many clothes.
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