General Travel Information from EF Tours:
1. Rooming Lists (3 or 4, depending on hotels)
When we travel as students, there will be up to 4 people in a room. Sometimes there may be three. Rarely will you have only two. If we end up being uneven, we’ll have to share rooms with others from other groups. Grin and bear it; imagine how cool you are, and then imagine meeting you on this journey!
2. Exchanging Money
EF recommends that you get at least $50.00 changed into the currency of our destination before we leave. Go to your bank and make a request for it a few days in advance. Most banks take at least 2 days to process these requests, so you may want to go on Monday or Tuesday. Visa Bank cards which connect to a checking account and straight up credit cards are excellent and function just about everywhere. Please PHOTOCOPY all (one copy for me, one for you) cards so that if they are lost are stolen we can have them canceled and replaced without worry.
3. Departure Day Plans
Because we are traveling internationally, we will meet at the Grand Rapids International Airport THREE HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME. At our final tour meeting meeting, I will collect copies of passports, check cards, prescriptions, extra passport photos and anything else that I need to hold on to while we are abroad. Please have these things prepared for us in a packet to expedite our check in.
Carry on: You are allowed one purse and one backpack. I put my purse INTO my backpack. Remember, the less you bring, the less you have to carry and the more room you have for your legs. Also, you should be sleeping on our trip, so don’t bring too much stuff! iPods, books, magazines, studbook/crosswords, journals, phones (to turned off when we board the plane), toothbrush/paste, face cloth, meds, and extra socks. Why? The airplane has air conditioning and your feet may get cold. Unless you’re bringing an inflatable neck pillow don’t bring your own pillows or blankets. They will just be a burden.
Airport Security: In your carry on bag, please do not pack water or any liquid over 2 ounces. The security at the airport is very serious about liquids. I had to throw away more than half of my Starbucks Non Fat Almond Latte the last time I went to San Francisco, so they mean business. Respond to questions, and remember that nothing is “unfair” or “biased.” Do what they tell you to with a smile. Just so you’re prepared, you may be asked to take off your shoes and your belt. This is routine, so don’t feel badly about it. Some people have to do this, others don’t. Again, just smile.
Customs: When you go through Customs, you are crossing international lines and security is very serious. Be mature and focus all of your attention on the officer and, for the time that you are being asked questions, ignore the rest of the world. If there is something that you need help with, please wait for me, explain to the officer that I am your teacher, and ask if I can help you.
Travel Health: Buy some water after we clear security – flying is dehydrating and water will help you to not feel dizzy, etc. On the plane, always be aware of the location of your ticket, wallet, and passport. Do NOT EVER let them leave your body. On the plane, follow directions, and read the safety card. I read it every time and am a world traveler several times over. Go for walks on long flights – its good for your legs. Do your best to sleep too, because we’re not checking in to the hotel until AFTER our arrival and finding coffee, etc. for breakfast. YEEEAAH!
Arrival Day: It doesn’t matter how many times I travel abroad; arrival day is exhausting. The best way to adjust to the time change is to adapt your behavior to the local time of day. In the case of transatlantic flights from the U.S. we usually arrive in Europe in the morning, it’s likely that our hotel rooms won’t be ready upon our arrival. We’ll go exploring until our rooms are ready. Put your energy into the day’s activities, even if you are tired. After a full night’s sleep, everyone should feel well rested and ready to explore!
4. In Flight Meals
Call the airline between 7 and 3 days prior to leaving if you require dietary adjustments for meals (lactose intolerant, diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, etc.).
5. Tip Money
Schedule for tips per traveler:
Bus Driver $3.00/day
Tour Director $6.00/day
$10.00 per day multiplied by 10 days = 100.00 each in US CASH by the final meeting date.
I store this cash on our journey, and students pass it to our drivers, and guides as the trip continues on.
Let's GO on a great adventure!
Your East Kentwood Global Ambassadors.
When we travel as students, there will be up to 4 people in a room. Sometimes there may be three. Rarely will you have only two. If we end up being uneven, we’ll have to share rooms with others from other groups. Grin and bear it; imagine how cool you are, and then imagine meeting you on this journey!
2. Exchanging Money
EF recommends that you get at least $50.00 changed into the currency of our destination before we leave. Go to your bank and make a request for it a few days in advance. Most banks take at least 2 days to process these requests, so you may want to go on Monday or Tuesday. Visa Bank cards which connect to a checking account and straight up credit cards are excellent and function just about everywhere. Please PHOTOCOPY all (one copy for me, one for you) cards so that if they are lost are stolen we can have them canceled and replaced without worry.
3. Departure Day Plans
Because we are traveling internationally, we will meet at the Grand Rapids International Airport THREE HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME. At our final tour meeting meeting, I will collect copies of passports, check cards, prescriptions, extra passport photos and anything else that I need to hold on to while we are abroad. Please have these things prepared for us in a packet to expedite our check in.
Carry on: You are allowed one purse and one backpack. I put my purse INTO my backpack. Remember, the less you bring, the less you have to carry and the more room you have for your legs. Also, you should be sleeping on our trip, so don’t bring too much stuff! iPods, books, magazines, studbook/crosswords, journals, phones (to turned off when we board the plane), toothbrush/paste, face cloth, meds, and extra socks. Why? The airplane has air conditioning and your feet may get cold. Unless you’re bringing an inflatable neck pillow don’t bring your own pillows or blankets. They will just be a burden.
Airport Security: In your carry on bag, please do not pack water or any liquid over 2 ounces. The security at the airport is very serious about liquids. I had to throw away more than half of my Starbucks Non Fat Almond Latte the last time I went to San Francisco, so they mean business. Respond to questions, and remember that nothing is “unfair” or “biased.” Do what they tell you to with a smile. Just so you’re prepared, you may be asked to take off your shoes and your belt. This is routine, so don’t feel badly about it. Some people have to do this, others don’t. Again, just smile.
Customs: When you go through Customs, you are crossing international lines and security is very serious. Be mature and focus all of your attention on the officer and, for the time that you are being asked questions, ignore the rest of the world. If there is something that you need help with, please wait for me, explain to the officer that I am your teacher, and ask if I can help you.
Travel Health: Buy some water after we clear security – flying is dehydrating and water will help you to not feel dizzy, etc. On the plane, always be aware of the location of your ticket, wallet, and passport. Do NOT EVER let them leave your body. On the plane, follow directions, and read the safety card. I read it every time and am a world traveler several times over. Go for walks on long flights – its good for your legs. Do your best to sleep too, because we’re not checking in to the hotel until AFTER our arrival and finding coffee, etc. for breakfast. YEEEAAH!
Arrival Day: It doesn’t matter how many times I travel abroad; arrival day is exhausting. The best way to adjust to the time change is to adapt your behavior to the local time of day. In the case of transatlantic flights from the U.S. we usually arrive in Europe in the morning, it’s likely that our hotel rooms won’t be ready upon our arrival. We’ll go exploring until our rooms are ready. Put your energy into the day’s activities, even if you are tired. After a full night’s sleep, everyone should feel well rested and ready to explore!
4. In Flight Meals
Call the airline between 7 and 3 days prior to leaving if you require dietary adjustments for meals (lactose intolerant, diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, etc.).
5. Tip Money
Schedule for tips per traveler:
Bus Driver $3.00/day
Tour Director $6.00/day
$10.00 per day multiplied by 10 days = 100.00 each in US CASH by the final meeting date.
I store this cash on our journey, and students pass it to our drivers, and guides as the trip continues on.
Let's GO on a great adventure!
Your East Kentwood Global Ambassadors.