Money matters
The only meals not included in your trip cost are whatever snacks you may need. For food,souvenirs, and incidentals, we recommend that you bring some Euros (200 – 300 should beenough) and perhaps a credit or ATM debit card*. You might use the card for a larger purchase ifyour parents have permitted this expense. The US Customs allow you to bring back goods $800or less in value. You are not allowed to bring any tobacco or alcohol products, andfake/counterfeit goods – ‘knockoffs’ – are strictly prohibited.
* different banks and card-issuers (VISA, Mastercard, etc.) have different rules for using yourcard outside the USA.
Before you travel
Confirm with your bank or card issuer if you need a PIN, and if the card is contactless. Beforeleaving the USA, you should contact them to tell them when you are abroad: if you do not, yourcard may be confiscated and/or your account frozen.
Security
Write down your account number MINUS the last four digits on a piece of paper with theemergency phone number to call when outside the USA, in the event that your card is lost orstolen. [This is NOT an ‘800’ number, which can only be used when inside the USA.]Supposing your card # is “4111-5222-6333-7444” write down only “4111-5222-6333”.Send the final four digits to your own email address.Include in that email the emergency phone number to use when outside the USAwith the emergency phone number[If absolutely necessary, the faculty may be able to act as ‘Bank Burroughs’ if you agree toreimburse the school upon your return to St. Louis.]