Before Abroad:

• Figure out currency conversion and fee → give about two weeks for this process. It is helpful to have a small amount of the host country’s currency upon arrival.

• Tip: exchange most of your money abroad; you will get a better exchange rate. However, exchange rates in national airports are typically high

• Know which U.S. credit cards are accepted in the country you are going abroad to

• Document/Copied Document folder → include:

  • Passport

  • Visa -> don't need for this trip

  • Insurance card with policy number

  • Important phone numbers (emergency phone numbers, on-site program contact numbers, lost credit card phone numbers (reachable from outside the U.S.). 

  • Airline ticket (keep one copy and give the other to the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs)

  • An additional form of photo identification

  • Medication prescription 

• Wifi safety?? 

Packing list:

Clothing:

• Underwear

• Socks

• Tops

• Pants, shorts, skirts

• Workout clothes

• Pajamas

• Swimsuit

• One or two formal wear

• Light coat/sweater

• Raincoat/waterproof jacket

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Active shoes

• Dress shoes

• Flipflops/shower shoes

• Accessories and belts

Toiletries:

• Aquaphor chapstick with SPF

• Face sunscreen

• Sunscreen

• Makeup remover

• Lotion

• Menstrual products

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash

• Nail clipper and file

• Travel steamer/iron/wrinkle spray

• Hairbrush 

• Shaving/waxing supplies

• Medicine → Tylenol, allergy meds, etc.

• Deodorant

Misc.:

• Travel/overnight bag and/or travel purse

• Umbrella

• Sunglasses

• Padlock to lock luggage when traveling or in hostels

• Small, quick-drying towel

• Ear plugs

• Travel pillow

• Travel Journal

• Lint roller

• Mini sewing kit

• Voltage converter

  • 1-50 watts for electric razors, radios cassette players, etc.

  • 50-600 watts for hair dryers, hair curlers, curling irons, etc. 

• Costa Rica operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

• Adapter plug

• Cheap speaker

• Purse/tote bag

• Bug spray

• Extra door lock

Carry-on List:

• Passport and visa

• Driver's license/photo ID

• Photocopies of important travel documents (your passport photo, visa, etc.)

• Plane tickets

• Printed CISI insurance card

• Credit/debit cards

• Cash in local currency for initial on-site expenses

• Cell phone and charger

• Laptop and charger

• Portable power bank

• Travel converter and adapter (see “Electricity Abroad”)

• Headphones

• Emergency outfit (in case your luggage gets lost or there is a major delay)

• Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste) and a toothbrush

• Tissue pack

• Hand sanitizer

• Masks

• Ziploc bags

• Empty, reusable water bottle

• Snacks

• Money belt or neck passport pouch

• Gift items from your home state, items not available in your host country (examples: Bethel gear; cookbooks with American recipes; calendar with U.S. scenery; unique items like colored notepads and gel pens)

• Photo of your home, family, and friends (two reasons: 1. a great way to share your culture and ward off homesickness, 2. your host family and others you meet will be interested in you and your family.)

For the Host Family list:

• Candy from my culture

Additional:

• https://sites.google.com/bethel.edu/studyabroadresources/quick-navigation 

• https://mytanfeet.com/about-cr/packing-for-costa-rica-what-to-bring/ 

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