What to Bring to the WNU Summer Institute

The Idaho Falls Local Planning Committee for the Summer Institute has provided much of the information that follows. Some of this information will be well-known to experienced international travelers. So, take what is useful to you, and ignore the rest. The same is true for the checklists provided. They can be helpful in planning for your trip. But, if there are some items that you would never use, do not feel obligated to bring them. These are suggestions only. We hope they prove helpful.

SOME TRAVEL TIPS

Luggage

Be sure to follow the rules of your air carrier when you pack. Attach luggage tags to all pieces of your luggage, and place an identification card with your hotel address in the US both outside and inside each bag, as luggage tags do fall off occasionally. Do not put anything in your checked luggage that you may need during your flight or soon after you arrive at your destination. It is a good idea to place all your toiletries in small, clear plastic bags that can be sealed. You can see through the bags to quickly locate these items, and if there are breaks or leaks in your toiletries, it won't ruin your clothing. Also, bring a large plastic or mesh bag for your laundry and dirty clothing.

Carry-on Baggage

You may want to put a few things you need the first day into your carry-on luggage just in case anything happens, like your luggage going to Iowa Falls instead of Idaho Falls. You will want to be sure to include any necessary toiletries, an extra pair of underwear, a small washcloth and towel or handi-wipes, and any medications you may be taking. You will also want to bring some items for entertainment during the flight - books or magazines, some snacks, and your travel journal. Other things you may want to place in your backpack (which is the preferred carry-on piece) would include a blindfold and soft ear plugs so you can get some sleep during the flight, gum or hard candy, and at least two bottles of water. You will also want to be sure that you have all those things you need to keep with you - your travel itinerary, emergency phone numbers, small bills for tipping luggage handlers, credit card and traveler's checks (if using), passport or visa, return airline ticket, and any other items of value or importance.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

Consider these types of activities that you may be doing when deciding what to bring. Please note that there are specific types of clothing recommended in the descriptions of some of the special activities you may choose to do (see Recreation and Social section of website.)

• Classroom and campus activities - "business casual" meaning no ties or jackets for men, comparable casual but appropriate work attire for women
• Cultural Events
• Dining out
• Hiking
• Rafting
• Shopping
• Sightseeing
• Swimming
• Walking

Clothing and Footwear
One of the best ways to be happy when you travel is to be comfortable. Loose-fitting clothes are best when traveling on planes and on tour buses when sightseeing. Plan to use layers of clothing as the climate may fluctuate between hot and cold (including air-conditioning).

Clothing - Bring items of clothing that you enjoy wearing and that wear well; that is, do not wrinkle easily and are easy to keep clean. Bring basic colors of clothing that can make different outfits by mixing and matching the items. Just be sure that whatever you bring can be machine-washed and dried, and doesn't wrinkle easily. All of our hotels have laundry facilities on-site, including an iron and ironing board for quick touch-ups in every room.

Shoes and boots - Comfortable shoes are very important - especially since lots of walking or light hiking will be part of your summer institute experience. You should bring several pairs of shoes with you. Sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots for walking, tennis shoes, a pair of sandals and one pair of shoes for dressier occasions should be fine. The main thing to remember is go casual, simple, and very light. For most places you will be going, you can wear either tennis shoes or sandals.

Money
Traveler's checks are rarely used these days although you can bring them if you wish. If you have a bankcard that enables you to withdraw money from your home bank using a "cashpoint" or "ATM - Automatic Teller Machine" you should have no difficulty obtaining cash as you need it. In Idaho Fall, Las Vegas or elsewhere in the US. such machines are readily available. Be sure to check with your home bank first to understand their charges, if any, for such transactions.

Electronic Items
Those who travel from a good portion of the world to the US will likely need a transformer to convert the lower line voltage into the higher voltage required by their appliances in the US (110 volts). Many of these devices (sometimes of higher quality and thus higher-priced) also function as step-down converters. Please refer to the website listed below for specific information about your item and country. Fortunately, many portable computers today come with power supplies that can be used in almost any part of the world. Check the manufacturer's label or the referenced website before leaving for the states to see what type of input it can handle. This applies to many digital cameras, video games and other electronic devices as well. Even if you do not need a transformer, you are likely to need converter plugs so that you can plug your electronic items into U.S. electrical outlets. These may not be available in the U.S. (where they sell ones that convert from U.S. to other countries outlets), so be sure to bring them with you.
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm

Computer - There will be some computers available in the classroom building on campus (about a mile away from where you will be staying). However, if you do have a laptop computer, we strongly advise you to bring it. For one thing, you will find that the keyboards in the US are different from those of other countries. We found that when we arrived in the UK and were provided with a British computer for use in our office, there were significant differences from our US computer. One can get used to it, but it does take time to change ingrained habits. Note that the hotels in which you will be staying have free high-speed Internet access in every room.

Mobile Phone - Unless you have a mobile or cell phone programmed for international use, it is likely that your cell phone will not work in the U.S. The website below provides suggestions for you to consider. While we cannot vouch for all of the information provided on that website, it may be helpful.
http://www.internationalstudent.com/prepaid_phones/

Here is the link to the main page of that website as there is other information that may proof valuable, unrelated directly to cell phones.
http://internationalstudent.com/

Medications
If you have a prescribed medication, be sure to bring a copy of the prescription (Have your doctor give you a copy of the prescription using the generic name of the medication as the brand names vary from country to country) so you will be able to get more of it if needed. Also, be sure that you keep any prescription medicine you bring in its original prescription container. Do not mix your prescription with aspirins or vitamins in the same container or bottle. Customs inspectors often check the contents of the container with the labels or prescriptions. You should also bring along any over-the-counter medications you normally like to have. It is sometimes difficult to find just what you are looking for, as the name brands can be different.

Eye Wear
If you use prescription vision wear, try to bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses (or the prescription for them) with you in case you lose or damage them. If you do wear contacts, bring along a pair of regular glasses just in case you need them. Also, bring along your preferred contact cleaner products. Make sure you bring sunglasses, and since there will be several opportunities for wildlife viewing, you may want to consider bringing a small pair of binoculars.

SUGGESTED PACKING LISTS

As you decide what clothing to bring, be sure to consider possible weather conditions in Idaho Falls and vicinity (and in Nevada) during the time of your stay. Although the weather can be quite pleasant, the summer temperatures in Idaho Falls can rise to between 32° to 38° C. (90° to 100° F.) during the day. The next morning it may be as low as 5° C (40°F). Idaho Falls is frequently windy. Often umbrellas are not useful because rain tends to be accompanied by strong winds. However, because it is located in a high plains desert, the rain usually does not last long.

In Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons, it can be cold and even snow any day of the year.

In the Nevada desert, the summer temperatures can be even more extreme. In Las Vegas, it can rise to well above 38° C during the day and cool down to about 32° C by midnight. Consider a midnight swim.

Checklist #1 - MEDIA AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Addresses for sending postcards/e-mail
• Emergency numbers and embassy address
• Driver's license/international driver's license
• Auto insurance card (if you plan to rent a car for any reason)
• Binoculars
• Business cards (if you have and want to exchange them with others)
• Cash - including small bills for tipping while you travel
• Credit card - required for everyone at hotel check-in
• Travelers checks and receipt (keep separate)
• Cell phone & list of phone numbers (see information above on cell phone use in U.S.)
• Copy of marriage license, if necessary
• Copy of medical history, if necessary
• Digital camera, batteries, manual
• Disposable underwater camera
• Foreign-language dictionary or phrase book
• Frequent flyer/frequent guest cards (if you have any that apply)
• IPod/Discman/MP3 player, batteries, mini-speakers
• Journal/notebook and pen
• Laptop computer with keyboard
• Paper airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
• Passports and visas, if necessary
• Photo ID
• Pre-paid phone card
• Reading material
• Vaccination certificates, if required
• Your itinerary

Checklist #2 - HIS PACKING LIST

You will probably want to bring some jeans or khaki pants, shirts, several pairs of shorts, and some nice slacks and casual shirts to match. Please do not plan to wear cut-offs, flip-flops, or t-shirts with printing that may be offensive to others at Institute events during the workweek. Bring a lightweight suit or sports coat, slacks, shirt and tie for special events. Western wear, including Levi's, cowboy boots and hats are acceptable attire almost anywhere you go here - day or night. Make sure you bring a good protective hat and a light jacket or windbreaker. Please note that there are specific types of clothing recommended for some of the special activities you may choose to do. (See Recreation and Social section of website.)

Men's Clothing and Accessories

• Athletic / tennis shoes
• Dress shoes
• Sandals
• Pajamas / Robe
• Boxers / Briefs
• Socks
• T-shirts
• Casual short-sleeved shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Trousers (casual slacks, khakis, jeans)
• Dress slacks
• Sports jacket or lightweight suit
• Shorts
• Hat or cap
• Light Jacket / windbreaker
• Tie
• Belt
• Sweater
• Swim trunks
• Workout (gym) clothes

Men's Toiletries

• Comb / Brush
• Deodorant
• Dental Floss
• Lip balm
• Shaving kit / Shaving Cream / After shave
• Shampoo / Conditioner / Styling Products
• Toothbrush / toothpaste / mouthwash

Checklist #3 - HER PACKING LIST

You will probably want to bring some jeans, khakis, skirts, several pairs of shorts, and some slacks with shirts or blouses to match. Please do not plan to wear short-shorts, mini-skirts, flip-flops, tight or revealing tops, or t-shirts with printing that may be offensive to others for Institute events during the workweek. Bring one dressy, lightweight outfit or skirt for special events. Western wear, including Levi's, cowboy boots and hats is also acceptable attire almost any place you go here - day or night. Scarves and shawls can be used to accessorize almost any outfit. Make sure you bring a good protective hat and a light jacket or sweater. Please note that there are specific types of clothing recommended for some of the special activities you may choose to do. (See Recreation and Social section of website.)

Women's Clothing and Accessories

• Bras
• Panties
• Slip
• Lingerie / night clothes
• Robe
• Socks / stockings
• Blouses / Shirts
• Tank / halter / sleeveless tops
• Skirts
• Slacks
• Dress
• Pareo / sarong / big scarf
• Sneakers
• Sandals
• Dress shoes
• Shorts / Capri's / Peddle-pushers
• Light Jacket / Windbreaker
• Sweaters
• Jewelry -- earrings, necklace, bracelets
• Swimsuit and cover-up
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Workout (gym) clothes

Women's Toiletries

• Brush and comb
• Cotton balls
• Curling or straightening iron
• Dental floss
• Deodorant
• Face wash / cleanser
• Hand and body lotion
• Lip balm
• Makeup
• Makeup remover
• Moisturizer/SPF
• Manicure set
• Q-Tips (cotton buds)
• Razor / Shaving cream
• Hair accessories
• Shampoo / conditioner / styling products
• Shower cap
• Tampons / feminine hygiene products
• Toothbrush / toothpaste / mouthwash
• Tweezers

Checklist # 4 - MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR WOMEN AND MEN

• Anti-bacterial wipes or hand-sanitizer gel
• Antibiotic cream
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Body powder/talcum powder
• Band-Aids
• Cortisone 1% anti-itch cream
• Crazy or Super Glue
• Currency converter
• Extra pair of eyeglasses / contacts
• Insect repellant
• Medication for stomach upset
• Motion (travel) sickness patches or pills
• Transportable musical instrument
• Nail clippers
• Pain relievers
• Plastic Zip-Loc bags
• Playing cards or board games
• Prescription medicines
• Scissors
• Sports gear (tennis racquets, golf clubs, swim goggles)
• Suntan lotion - SPF 15 or higher
• Travel journal (Bring one and use it. You'll be glad you did! It really helps you make an interesting photo album or scrapbook of your trip.)
• Writing materials for taking notes, preparing reports, etc.
• Umbrella

 

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