Travel Info

Course Arrival and Departure

We will have a bus departing Stockholm's Arlanda Airport at approximately 14:30 on Sunday 25 June. We will meet on or near the raised area across from the Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel at the airport. This is within the airport, but outside the security area. Please be there at around 13:30. There are restaurants and ATMs, so please take the time you have after arriving to eat and withdraw any cash you'd like to have (see notes about money below).

If you are heading to Skinnskatteberg, Sweden on your own, the Yellow Pavilion on the SLU campus will be our lodging; please arrive at around 17:00.

You may leave Prague on Saturday 22 July.

Enter your arrival and departure information (US students only).

Itinerary - login required, because we want to keep exact dates and locations private.

What to Pack

The general guideline is to pack less stuff and bring more money than you think you will need - you can always buy shirts as a souvenir - and bring layers so you can reduce clothing as the temperatures increase. We will be in well-developed areas with laundry and stores. A few tops (some long, some short), a couple pants (some long, some short that you can swim in), some quick-dry socks and underwear that you can wash in the sink and dry overnight will go a long way - nobody cares if they see you in the same outfit more than once.

Temperatures should range from 10C-25C / 50F-80F. A heavy jacket is probably not needed, but rain gear would be appropriate (rain jackets also make good windbreakers). Pack layers for a variety of weather conditions.

You will need shoes appropriate for hiking and swimming clothes. Water shoes are beneficial since many beaches in the region are rocky. Some of the facilities that we will visit will not allow open-toed shoes such as sandals. The best way to deal with shoes - wear your heaviest shoes on the plane and pack one or two more pairs at most - shoes take up a lot of room (but you can stuff things like socks and underwear in them to save space).

Other stuff … Cameras, computers, tablets, binoculars, a notebook and other personal items are at your discretion. Access to the internet will be useful during the course. Sun protection as you like - sunscreen, hat, long sleeves and pants - whatever normally works for you. Lip balm. You can pick up a bottle of water when you arrive and reuse it - saves packing space. During the first week of the course you'll have easy access to stores that sell personal items like sunscreen, toothpaste, skin cream, and so forth - so don't worry too much about things like that.

Don't forget any medication you need and be sure to pack that in carry-on.

All our lodgings are expected to provide linens. We will NOT have towels in the Czech Republic - so you can bring a towel or buy one while we're in Sweden or Germany. They are unlikely to have wash cloths anywhere, so bring one if you use one.

Lonely Planet Guide to Packing Light | Rick Steves on Packing Light

Electrical Power in Sweden, Germany, and Czech Republic

US students will need plug converters for US-based electrical equipment. Most computers and electronics (camera chargers, etc) and many personal appliances are dual voltage (can handle 120 or 240 volts); all you need in that case is a physical plug converter. If any of your devices is not dual voltage (120volts only) you will also need a voltage converter.

For example, this device allows you to physically plug in your device but does NOT convert voltage. See here for all sorts of details.

All 3 counties use Type C for non-grounded plugs (only the two flat plugs on your US appliance). For grounded plugs (also has the third, round plug), Czech Republic uses a Type E, whereas Germany and Sweden use Type F. If all of your devices are two-prong and dual voltage, a very simple converter like this will work. This converter will handle all dual voltage devices, grounded or not, including both Type E & F grounding.

Money

Every country we visit has a separate currency, so be prepared to exchange money or draw from an ATM on arrival to each. It is not necessary to carry large amounts of cash – credit cards (especially Visa & MasterCard) are accepted widely. For cash, ATMs are typically the least expensive approach in terms of exchange rate and transaction fees. Of course, you pay fees every time you use a machine, so plan as best you can. Withdraw what you think you'll need on entry to each country - but not too much (you'll have to pay to exchange any you have left over).

You should notify your bank that you will be using your ATM card (and your credit card) in the three countries.

Exchange rates on 14 June were ...

Czech Republic uses the Koruna (CZK), currently about 23.2CZK = US$1

Germany uses the Euro (EUR), currently about 0.89EUR = US$1

Sweden uses the Krona (SEK), currently about 8.6SEK = US$1

How much money should you bring?

We cover expenses related to lodging, entrance fees, and transportation during the course. We expect participants to pay for their own food, laundry, souvenirs and other expenses. In some places we will be using public transport - you may have to pay for this. You can also get many places by foot.

We have tried to find lodging with kitchen facilities, so that you can cook and prepare your own meals (to save money and enjoy cooking with your classmates). Not all of our lodging locations have kitchens, though, and you should be prepared to eat some meals in restaurants. A handful of meals will be provided by the course (e.g., won’t cost you anything).

Internet Access

Many places we stay will provide internet access, usually WiFi. In the past, we've encountered situations where Ethernet cables are required. Be security conscious when using your devices online.

Laptops & Other Electronics

Having a laptop can be quite a convenience. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has hinted (28 May) at banning laptops, tablets, etc., from carry-on luggage on ALL international flights TO and FROM the US. If that happens (it has not as of 19 June), you'd have to put your laptop, iPad, cameras, and so forth in checked luggage. "Normal sized" smart phones would be allowed in carry-on, but that's pretty much it in terms of electronics. If this comes to pass, you have to go with your own comfort level about putting fragile valuables like that in checked luggage (which for decades airlines have advised against). Remember, it is also possible that such rules are implemented after we arrive.

Safety Tips

* Please don’t travel anywhere by yourself.

* It's good to have someone in your group with a working mobile phone.

* The emergency number in Sweden, Germany, and Czech Republic is 112

* Know where you are going, how you are going to get there, and how you are going to get back. Do some research before you go off on your own, especially if your mobile device does not have internet access. We’ve all become very used to being on-line all the time and it can disconcerting when you’re not. Write down directions, draw maps, look at transit schedules and routes ahead of time.

* Take emergency contact information for faculty with you (will be provided in Skinnskatteberg). For those with working phones, exchange numbers with fellow students.

* Be aware of your surroundings. If something seems dangerous, stop, think, and act appropriately.

* The US State Department has issued a Europe-wide travel alert for threat of terrorist attacks. An excerpt … “Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities as viable targets. In addition, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. U.S. citizens should exercise additional vigilance in these and similar locations, in particular during the upcoming summer travel season when large crowds may be common.”

* If such an attack occurs while we are not together as a group, please return to our lodging location as soon as possible. If that is not possible, please contact one of the instructors by email or phone to let them know your situation.

* Pickpocketing is an issue in all countries, particularly in tourist areas. Please keep your personal items secure and carry as few items as possible to reduce loss if you are victimized. If you have multiple credit cards, keep them in different places. Separate cash into different pockets or places as well. Do not leave backpacks, purses, bags unsecured - always have your hands on them. Keep a list of credit card emergency information somewhere so that you can call and cancel your cards if you lose them.

* Preferentially use ATMs at secured and monitored locations, like airports, banks, and large hotels. This will help you avoid electronic skimming attacks in which card information and PINs are stolen.

* Stay away from demonstrations and large crowds generally, as they can turn violent and are targets for terrorist attacks.

* Do not accept opened drinks from people you do not know and do not leave open drinks unattended. This will help you avoid date rape drugs.

* Do not go with people you do not know to non-public places, like their homes or lodgings.

Study Abroad Handbook

The NC State University Study Abroad Handbook has a lot of useful information.