Hoggirl Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Ds leaves on Friday for a three-week study abroad seminar to the UK. It's a small group of around 15-16 students, and the idea of these for-credit summer study abroad programs is to allow students to get a "taste" of study abroad before they do an entire quarter. We lived in the UK for two years, and I am very comfortable with his traveling there because of my familiarity with it. We have traveled quite a bit ourselves, but there is always something new to learn, and it has certainly been a very long time since I studied overseas as a student. Any tips at all? Anyone know if he can carry on those little detergent pods? He'll have to do some laundry while there, and I thought that might be a good idea, but I didn't know if they would be allowed in his quart-sized bag or not??? Guess I should Google that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Have him make two photocopies of his passport, one to leave in the U.S. and one to carry with him in a separate spot than the passport. Has he looked into any issues he might have with his cell phone? Maybe an international texting plan or something? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Have you talked about the drinking culture? Is the course being designed by the UK university? He should be prepared for the possibility of fewer tests and preparation helps, and more expectation of independent study, if so. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Have him make two photocopies of his passport, one to leave in the U.S. and one to carry with him in a separate spot than the passport. Has he looked into any issues he might have with his cell phone? Maybe an international texting plan or something? We have taken care of both of these, and ds has also informed his bank that he is heading out of the coutnry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Have you talked about the drinking culture? Is the course being designed by the UK university? He should be prepared for the possibility of fewer tests and preparation helps, and more expectation of independent study, if so. The course is not designed by the UK university. It's just an in-residence program there through his university here. What, specifically, do you mean about the drinking culture that might be differen there than here? I'm all ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 The course is not designed by the UK university. It's just an in-residence program there through his university here. What, specifically, do you mean about the drinking culture that might be differen there than here? I'm all ears. Well, the legal drinking age is 18, so that coincides with going off to university. Binge drinking is very common, and as many towns are walkable or have public transport that you can use, the need to drive does not act as a brake on drinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Unless the pods are labeled with ounces they won't allow through. I had a small yogurt from a 4 pack with no size labeling and had to toss it (even though it was obviously within the allowed fluid amount). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Anyone know if he can carry on those little detergent pods? He'll have to do some laundry while there, and I thought that might be a good idea, but I didn't know if they would be allowed in his quart-sized bag or not??? Guess I should Google that! I wouldn't bother with the pods. Laundry detergent is easily found in Great Britain ;). He can share a small package with his classmates. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Well, the legal drinking age is 18, so that coincides with going off to university. Binge drinking is very common, and as many towns are walkable or have public transport that you can use, the need to drive does not act as a brake on drinking. My dd found this especially true among Americans overseas. Even more so with the Americans who were not legal in the US. (She was in Germany.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Yes, we were aware that the legal drinking age was 18. We lived in Leeds for two years. It's definitely worth discussing some ahead of time. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I would suggest that he look up all the places he wants to go and put that info and maps onto his phone so he doesn't have to spend time there doing that. It should be a fantastic experience for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 I would suggest that he look up all the places he wants to go and put that info and maps onto his phone so he doesn't have to spend time there doing that. It should be a fantastic experience for him! A grand idea, though they only have two days that are not filled to the brim with their group itinerary. But, he should definitely do some research on where he might want to go on those days off! They have to get permission for something like that (which, as a mom, I like!). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I couldn't tell if your student has done the whole TSA/customs process recently, but you might explain that if they haven't. When we went overseas two years ago, we didn't do that ahead of time, and one of my teens was a little upset by it. This summer they knew what to expect and it was no biggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Does he have a credit card? (apart from the bank) If so, he should let them know that he'll be out of the country as well. How fun for your son! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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