Information for students
Packing information [Click HERE 
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Ten Commandments for Student Travel
Packing is always a problem for first-time or inexperienced travellers, or when you are going to a country where the weather may be an unknown factor or a mixture of warm and wet. For this reason we include a lot of information and suggestions for packing. There is also a sample handout from one of the schools. Much of the information overlaps but it does not do any harm to emphasize the importance of making a packing list.
ONE SUITCASE PER PERSON plus a carry-on bag is all the luggage that is allowed. Luggage for transportation on the plane must be no greater than the dimensions of the space below the seat: 41 cm x 23 cm x 51 cm. The luggage allowance is 20 kilos but you will have to carry or lift your luggage on many occasions; for this reason keep the weight down to 15 kilos. ALL LUGGAGE (including hand luggage) must be CLEARLY LABELED with your name, address and phone number. Be sure to label your checked luggage on the inside as well in case the luggage tag is torn off your suitcase while in transit.
Some hints:
¨ Do not pack aerosol cans in your luggage;
keep them with you in the pressurized cabin.
¨ If you intend to do a lot of shopping, your luggage should be one third
empty on the way out to leave room for your purchases.
¨ A good emergency procedure is to tape your name and address inside your
luggage.
¨ If you are taking liquids or lotions, put enough for a 2-week stay in small
plastic bottles. Glass bottles are heavy and dangerous.
¨ Break in your clothes and shoes before taking them on a trip. Your feet
will thank you.
¨ If you have no luggage and are buying it new, you might take the following
points into consideration: softsided luggage is useful for accommodating oddly-shaped
packages. It doesn’t crack, but it can be ripped, especially if something
pointed is packed in it. It does not offer the same protection as hard luggage
but is much lighter to carry. Luggage with wheels is definitely easier on the
arms and can usually be managed on stairs. However, there are many uneven and ‘difficult’ surfaces
even in airports. Attaching a luggage carrier to your suitcase means you have
to manage more than one piece of luggage when the carrier is not in use and can
be awkward on stairs. Most airports, ferry ports and train stations provide trolley
carts, but again, there may be stairs or escalators which do not accept these
carts. IT IS USUALLY NOT WORTH BUYING NEW LUGGAGE SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS TRIP.
USEFUL ITEMS TO CONSIDER PACKING:
¨ Small pair of scissors
¨ Small notebook, ballpoint pen and a pencil
¨ Addresses for the FEW cards you may send
¨ Travel alarm clock (especially if you are hard to arouse or need extra
time to get ready – DON’T count on hotel wake-up calls!)
¨ Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if your trip will be ruined if
you lose your only pair
¨ Bottle and can opener
¨ Sunglasses and suncreen, if necessary
¨ Knife, fork, spoon and cup for impromptu snacks and picnics
¨ Canadian pins, buttons, etc.
¨ Shampoo
¨ Soap
¨ Small plastic bag of detergent for hand washing in hotel rooms
¨ A couple of medium-sized plastic bags which are useful for soiled laundry
or dirty shoes
¨ A few J cloths; they have many uses including facecloths. Facecloths are
rare in Europe and a real one starts to smell sour after a while. J-cloths can
be thrown out.
¨ Spare sink plug – for those with contact lenses who may drop them
into the sink! There are still occasional European hotels that do not have sink
plugs.
FIRST AID AND COSMETIC ITEMS:
¨ Several Band-Aids
¨ Needle and thread or very small sewing kit
¨ A few aspirin
¨ A small packet of Kleenex
¨ 2 or 3 elastics and some string (often comes in useful)
¨ Razor and blades for those who need them
¨ Small mirror
¨ Hairbrush
¨ Gravol or Dramamine if you suffer from motion sickness
¨ Personal hygiene needs
¨ PRESCRIPTION (the actual small bottle or label) of any mediation you bring
with you. This should be in a separate place in case your medication is lost
and must be refilled.
¨ Deodorant (remember the note about aerosol cans)
¨ Toothbrush and toothpaste
¨ Hair dryer if you have the appropriate conversion equipment. It is recommended
that you share with someone else.
Electrical equipment has definite drawbacks; it is usually bulky and often heavy. European currents are 220 volts and their plugs are different from ours and often from those of another country. You could ruin your equipment and fuse the system of the hotel. It is possible to get adapters and converters but you must decide if they are worth the cost, space and extra weight. You can purchase appliances that have a dual-voltage switch, but is usually not worth specifically buying them for this trip.
LEAVE YOUR JEWELLERY AT HOME
CAMERAS
See the note on insurance if your camera is an expensive one. If it looks valuable or new then it is a good idea to register it at the airport with Customs before you leave. This is a simple procedure; a card is provided for this purpose and you register the serial number of your camera before departure. If you do not have a proof of previous ownership when you return from your trip, the Custom inspectors are within their rights to make you pay duty on the camera.
Most of what you will be seeing is non-moving; slides and prints will give you a better record than movies or videos in all probability.
Film is available in Europe, but it is definitely more expensive and you may have to search for a particular kind. Taking all the rolls and extra batteries that you will need from home is a wise move.
STATIONERY, GAMES, ETC.
Two or three sheets of airmail writing paper and envelopes will remind you
to write to Mom or Grandpa, but remember, you will be home before the letter
arrives. If you enjoy writing cards and don’t mind waiting in line
for stamps, then promise your friends cards BUT you could calculate that
each card will take up to 15 minutes of your time to purchase, write, find
stamps for and mail. Multiply this by the number of friends and each city
you will visit and you will realize that it might be better to keep a journal
and tell your friends about the trip when you get back.
A pack of cards, a paperback you can swap with someone, a traveling backgammon, a walkman/discman (with a couple of tapes or CDs only!) are all items you will be glad to have with you on longer travelling days.
ABOUT WALKMANS AND DISCMANS
You are going a long way and spending a lot of money to see and hear things
that are different from Canada. Walkmans and discmans should be kept for
travelLing time or if you are relaxing in your room. They have no place
on sightseeing tours and excursions and the guides will be extremely offended
if you are wearing a walkman or discman during sightseeing tours. You will
probably be asked to not listen to your walkman or discman during landing
and take-off of your flights; this is so you will hear any instructions
and information that is being given to the passengers. During the actual
flight you will be allowed to listen to your walkman or discmans; please
observe the regulations as outlined by the flight attendants.
SAMPLE PACKING RULES (SCHOOL HANDOUT)
GENERAL PACKING TIPS:
LUGGAGE: You will be allowed to take one large suitcase, one flight bag which will fit under your seat on the plane, and one purse (girls) or camera case (boys). All items, including your hand luggage, must be clearly labeled with your name, address, telephone number, and the name of your group. Labels will be obtained for you. Make sure you have an extra luggage key.
PARTNERS: Have a roommate with whom you share the duties of carrying heavy items such as hair dryers and curling irons. You will only need one per room; electrical converters as well.
WARDROBE: Plan your wardrobe around one or two color schemes so that every item of clothing matches. Pack with activities in mind and when choosing a coat, pick one that will do for all occasions. Ski jackets are too bulky, act like sponges in rain and do not look too fashionable worn over an evening outfit. All-weather coats or leather jackets are great. Sweaters and pullovers are invaluable as the weather is unpredictable, and it’s smart to layer your clothes. Select drip-dry or permanent-press articles. There may be chances to wash your clothes, but it takes a long time to dry laundry so carry enough socks and underwear for the duration.
PACKING: On the road, pack the night before you depart and have your clothes that you are going to wear in the morning ready to go. Always check your hotel room before leaving and never pack on an unmade, messy bed. Look underneath the furniture and in all the drawers and in bathrooms and closets. Report all lost items immediately to your leader; insurance covers you only if proper reports have been filed. Use your suitcase as a ‘safe’ when you are out for the day and lock all valuables in it. Never take any really valuable items with you in the first place, especially jewellry.
MEDICAL: Prescriptions must be packed in their original containers and registered on the medical form that your group leader carries. If you need a prescription filled or are afraid of losing the one that you have, make sure your doctor describes your mediation in international terms. If you wear contact lenses, please pack your old glasses and carry plenty of solution.
SECURITY: When travelling, security is knowing where your passport is at all times. Do not carry it in your suitcase. You will need it at the airport, you will need it to cash travellers cheques. Everyone MUST HAVE a travel folder or neck pouch which will hold the passport and travellers cheques as well. A neck pouch or money belt is without a doubt invaluable while you are traveLling.
COURTESY: Please keep, or at least leave, your room tidy. Be considerate of your roommates and their clothing and luggage. Avoid borrowing money except on a short-term basis due to the exchange problem.
DO PACK YOUR GOOD WILL AND A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION. REMEMBER THAT CUSTOMS DIFFER AND THAT WE TRAVEL TO OTHER COUNTRIES BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT. ACCEPT THESE DIFFERENCES GRACIOUSLY AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU CRITICIZE. NOW – TAKE OUT ONE THIRD OF WHAT YOU HAVE PACKED AND YOU WILL BE READY TO GO!
SAMPLE PACKING LIST (SCHOOL HANDOUT)
FOR YOUR FLIGHT BAG:
The following items should be placed in your flight bag as your suitcase will be check straight through, and you’ll need certain items to freshen up with on the plane. PACK AS THOUGH YOUR SUITECASE WAS GOING TO BE LOST FOR A FEW DAYS. Keep with you your passport, your travelers’ cheques, any cash you may want, something to read, addresses for postcards, maybe even your foreign phrase book.
Place all toilet articles in a waterproof bag and buy the smaller size of any container; you really don’t need all that much shampoo for two weeks or less. Try not to select any cosmetics or other items that are packed in glass bottles. Pack as if everything you have might break or leak. Protect such articles by surrounding them with unbreakables.
TOOTHBRUSH —
TOOTHPASTE —
DEODORANT —
HAIRSPRAY —
HAIR BRUSH —
COMB —
SOAP —
SHAMPOO —
CREAM OR LOTION —
SMALL UMBRELLA —
CAMERA & FILM —
GUIDE BOOKS —
CHANGE OF UNDIES —
SMALL MIRROR —
PAJAMAS —
EXTRA BLOUSE/SHIRT —
NAIL CLIPPER —
KLENNEX PACKS —
FOR YOUR SUITCASE:
IN THE BOTTOM LAYER: Place all heavy and odd-shaped
articles, remembering which side will be up when you stand it up. Wear
your heaviest shoes. Tuck accessories and underclothes between these
items and along the sides. Put underwear in a plastic bag to avoid
turning red when your suitcase falls open in the airport! Other items
such as belts, tuck in on the sides and shoes, packed heel-to-toe,
can hide small breakable items. Wear your heavy sweater; there is plenty
of room for it in the storage space of the plane.
IN THE SECOND LAYER: Place your second-best and casual outfits here. Fold your
dresses and pants once only, and place a plastic bag or socks in the crease.
Shirts and blouses are folded arm to arm, then across the chest and placed
in the center on top of the other items. Remember that your clothing should
get lighter toward the top of your case…jeans near the bottom.
THE TOP LAYER: Should contain the clothes that match your traveling outfit,
and your best eveningwear. Always fold your clothes where slight creases won’t
show…tops of slacks rather than the legs should be folded over..Carry
a coat hanger or two to hang up easily crushed items.
PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS OF THE KITCHEN SIZE ARE THE HANDIEST THING YOU CAN CARRY. CARRY SEVERAL. PUT WET ITEMS IN THEM..PUT LAUNDRY IN THEM..PACK SOUVENIERS IN THEM.
SWEATER —
GOOD OUTFIT —
SHOES TO MATCH —
ACCESSORIES —
SOCKS OR NYLONS —
2ND TRAVEL OUTFIT —
EXTRA PANTS/SHIRT —
SHOWER CAP —
NEEDLE & THREAD —
WASH CLOTHS —
UNDERWEAR —
EVERYDAY OUTFITS —
CASUAL TOP TO MATCH—
PRESCRIPTION(EXTRA) —
TRAVEL ALARM —
LINT ROLLER/BRUSH —
DETERGENT —
SAFETY PINS —
TRAVELERS’ CHEQUE RECEIPT NUMBERS —
COAT HANGERS —
CLOTHES PINS —
PLASTIC BAGS —
OTHER BOOKS —
SPECIAL ITEMS —
TRAVEL DIARY —
SMALL TOWEL —
RAZOR & BLADES —
DETAILED FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE DEPARTURE –
ON YOUR PERSON -
· Passport
· Travelers’ Cheques
· Canadian Money
· Foreign Currency
· Comfortable Clothes
FLIGHT BAG – Your flight bag should be packed as though your suitcase was going to be lost for a couple of days.
Nightclothes
J Cloths
Change of underclothes
Extra top
Toothbrush & paste
Deodorant
Brush/comb
Soap
Shampoo
Camera & Film
Extra glasses
Entertainment items (cards, book, etc)
Gum/candy
Pen/pencil
Diary or notebook
Walkman
SUITCASE – Comfortable shoes – worn
in, not new.
Socks
Underclothes
Jeans or similar
Dressier slacks
Light top
Medium tops
Heavy top or warmer sweater or jacket
Light jacket – windproof
Gloves
First aid supplies
Cosmetics
Personal items
Click here to obtain downloadable .pdf file on Packing
Canadian Passport Office; Answers many passport and visa questions, and allows you to print an application form for passports
To apply for a passport you will need:
1. Application Form A or B
2. Two identical photos with the exact measurements as indicated on the form
and the date on the back.
3. An actual birth certificate or documents as indicated below.
4. A guarantor* who has known you for at least 2 years and who will sign your
application form and the back of one of your dated photos.
5. Your own signature.
6. Passport fee in cash, debit card, money order or certified cheque to the
Receiver General. The current passport fee is $85.00 for person 16 and over
or $35.00 for persons under 16 but please phone your local passport office
to verify this amount.
*The form lists who may sign as a guarantor: a Canadian Citizen residing in Canada who is a minister, bank manager, judge, magistrate, police officer, school principal, professional accountant, professional engineer, mayor, lawyer, notary public, doctor, dentist, chiropractor, postmaster or veterinarian.
Passports must be renewed every five years and cannot be extended. Because of this you will find that the majority of your students will need to apply for a passport. The local passport offices require that the applicant take in his or her own passport application. Teachers and travel agents cannot do this on their behalf. Particular care should be taken in filling out the forms to avoid delays.
It is a good idea to have the students research the cost of passport photos; prices vary considerably. Most passport photos are issued in sets of four; you actually only need two for the passport application. However, if you are traveling to a country requiring a visa you may need 1 to 3 additional photos which must be the same.
Passport forms may be picked up from any passport office, travel agency or WORLD CLASS TOURS LTD. Application forms may be mailed to Ottawa (the address on the envelope) but we advise processing them at the local Passport Office where one exists. It will take 4-6 weeks to receive your passport if you mail in the application as opposed to 7 working days if you hand it in.
Children, under the age of 16, travelling separately from their parents must have their own passport. Passport Application Form B is designed for children under 16 years of age. If a student is under 16 on the date of the application, Form B must be used. The actual passport received is identical to the over 16, only the application form is different. Therefore, students under the age of 16 on the day of application but who will turn 16 before departure or while on tour, are not affected. They will retain the passport for five years.
Note: Students applying on Form B whose parents are separated or divorced must submit original legal documents as requested in the form confirming the custody arrangements. In addition, BOTH PARENTS must sign the application form.
Original (not photocopied) documentary evidence of Canadian citizenship, such as birth certificate or certificate of Canadian citizenship must be submitted with the application. This will be returned with the passport. A birth certificate may be obtained from Vital Statistics authorities in the respective province.
Persons born outside Canada must provide a certificate of naturalization, proof of Landed Immigrant status, retention of citizenship, registration of birth abroad (for Canadians born abroad) or Canadian Citizenship.
Students who have non-Canadian passports must make this known early in the arrangements as in many cases visas will be required. Individuals are responsible for contacting consulates of the countries they will be visiting for the most recent information pertaining to visa requirements. On pages 16 & 17 of this manual you will find a comprehensive list of consulates and embassies.
Anyone who has changed his/her name but not by legal means must submit statutory declarations from two people indicating the length of time each person has known the applicant by that name. Note: If the person decides to travel by the name on the birth certificate to avoid these statutory declarations, please make sure that WORLD CLASS TOURS LTD. knows this so that the airline ticket, the passport and the birth certificate all have the same name.
A passport is a very important document. Some thought should be given before departure to the safekeeping of the passport while travelling. It must not be packed in checked baggage; you will need it for entry and exit to foreign countries and upon return to Canada. It will be needed to change traveller’s cheques at banks or exchange bureaus. If a passport is lost or stolen, the process of obtaining a replacement or a temporary travel document is long and tedious and seriously interferes with the trip schedule. BE A GOOD TRAVELER; BE CAREFUL AND KNOW WHERE YOUR PASSPORT IS AT ALL TIMES. Parents should keep a photocopy of pages 2 and 3 of the passport. Teachers should have a copy of this as well as a copy of the birth certificate and Alberta Health Care number for each student. This will expedite obtaining a new passport overseas in case one is lost or stolen.
Local passport offices:
Suite 160, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Hours: 8:30 – 4:30 pm / Mon – Fri
Suite 200, Sinclair Centre
757 Hastings St. West
Vancouver, BC
Hours: 7:30 – 4:30 / Mon – Fri
Suite 254, Harry Hays Building
220 – 4th Ave. South East
Calgary, Alberta
Hours: 8:00 – 4:30 / Mon – Fri
Suite 400
433 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Hours: 8:00 – 4:30 / Mon – Fri
For more information regarding passports, please call toll free 1-800-567-6868 for convenient automated information.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR STUDENT
TRAVELERS
1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home..for thou hast left thy home to find things different.
2. Thou shalt not let the other tourists get on thy nerves…for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself.
3. Thou shalt remember to conduct thyself in such a manner that will be a credit to thy school, community and country.
4. Thou shalt remember thy passport so thou knowest where it is at all times…for a man without a passport is a man without a country.
5. Thou shalt remember that if we were expected to stay in one place...we would have been created with roots.
6. Thou shalt not worry. He that worrieth hath no pleasure…few things are fatal.
7. Thou shalt remember thou art a guest in every land…and he that treateth his host with respect is treated as an honored guest.
8. Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by one person with whom thou hast had trouble.
9. Thou shalt remember thy flight number, seat number, bus number, room number, hotel phone number, passport number, and Travelers’ Cheques numbers… for these are thy aid and comfort when all else appears to be in confusion.
10. Thou shalt not expect all planes to leave from airports on time, every time.
Calling home is now easier than ever before. With the Canada Direct service, just one direct dial phone connects you with a Canadian operator whether you are calling collect or using a calling card. This is particularly helpful when language barriers are involved.
In all hotels, if you wish to use the telephone inside your room, you must leave some sort of deposit, whether in the form of cash or a credit card imprint. It is also a good idea to inform the front desk if the call you are making is with a calling card or collect to make sure long distance charges are not placed on your room’s bill when you check out. If you cannot leave a deposit, pay telephones are usually located in hotel lobbies or you may be able to use one at the reception desk for a toll free call. In any case, you will most likely be charged a small fee, as you are in North American hotels, for using the phone.
Below is a list of Canada Direct access numbers to contact the Canadian operator.
Australia – 1.800.881.150
Belgium - 0.800.100.19
Costa Rica - 0.800.015.1161
Finland – 9800.1.0011
Germany – 01.3000.14
Hong Kong – 800.1100
Ireland – 1.800.55001
Liechtenstein 155.8330
Mexico – 95.800.010.1990
New Zealand – 000919
Singapore – 8000.100.100
Spain – 900.99.0015
Switzerland – 155.8330
Turkey – 00.800.16677
Austria – 022.903.013
China – 108.186
Czech Republic – 00.42.000.151
France – 0.800.99.00.16
Greece – 00.800.1611
Hungary – 00.800.01211
Italy – 172.1001
Malaysia – 800.0017
Netherlands – 06.022.9116
Portugal – 05.017.1226
Slovakia – 00.42.100.151
Sweden – 020.799.015
Thailand – 001.999.15.1000
United Kingdom – 0.800.89.0016
To use the Canada Direct service you must:
1. Dial one of the access numbers.
2. Give the Canadian operator your calling card number or the collect call
information.
3. Give the operator the area code and local number you are calling.
If you are not in a country where the Canada Direct can be used, you will have to make a collect call through the local operator. Ask at the reception desk for assistance with your call.
Remember that there is a big time difference from where you are calling.