2013- Capitals of Scandinavia Parents Meeting

1. 2013- Capitals of Scandinavia Parents Meeting

2. “Don’t tell me how educated you are, Tell me how much you have travelled” - Mohammed

3. Agenda • Travel Information • Routing • Tour Rules In General • Packing Reminders • Money Reminders • Telephone Calls / Chain Charts • Hotel Information • Dress/Attire • Travel Information - Return Home • Extra Excursions • Helpful Tips • Backpacks/T-Shirts/Luggage Tags/Journals • Other • Questions/Concerns

4. Travel Information - Pre-Departure • MAKE SURE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME THAT YOU HAVE YOUR PASSPORT AND VARIOUS FORMS OF CURRENCY (Euros, debit card and/or credit card) WITH YOU !!! • All trip participants are responsible for getting to the Regina International Airport (YQR) themselves on the day of departure. • Our first flight is a domestic flight to Toronto, and so the group should arrive at the airport two hours before departure. The entire group should meet in front of the Air Canada Check in area. • Because we are at the airport early, please make sure you have some Canadian dollars along as well for munchies etc. Canadian money will also be valuable while we are waiting at the airport in Calgary and Toronto.

5. Travel Information - Flights

6. Tour Rules - General • ATTENDANCE at all scheduled activities is mandatory - only if a physical ailment occurs would a participant not attend • CURFEW will be generally between eleven pm and midnight and students are expected to be in their designated rooms on time; bed checks will be done • SMOKING is not permitted • ALCOHOL/POSSESSION of illegal drugs and crimes will be punished by immediate dismissal from the trip and a return home at the participants expense. • NIGHTLY Meetings in the lobby to reflect on the past day, and to discuss the next day and the time to meet so you are aware of what is happening the next day • PARTICIPANTS must be with a group of at least 3 other people and use this buddy system faithfully!

7. Tour Rules - General - Continued • WHEREABOUTS participants must inform their chaperone of their whereabouts at all times • CARRY the names and telephone numbers of the hotels with you at all times • HOTEL ROOMS are to be respected. Should anything be broken in the room, that room’s occupants are responsible for the damage and must pay for it before we leave the hotel. Also, many hotels have actual keys that you must return each day to the front desk. If you lose that key or can’t turn it in for whatever reason, fines typically range from 200-400 Euros and that fine must be paid before the group is allowed to leave the hotel.

8. Packing Reminders • PACK what you think you want to take in one suitcase and one carry - on - then carry both pieces up and down a long flight of stairs for 10 minutes non-stop; if this is too much to carry, eliminate what you really don’t need ! If you are up for a challenge, consider packing one carry on size roller bag (This is what I do!) • IDENTIFY your belongings with name and address tags and some sort of Canadian symbol (tag or patch). • Distinctive ribbon will be used to identify our group’s luggage; this will be attached Friday morning when you arrive at the airport. • ELECTRICAL appliances require a converter in European countries. • PACK light, comfortable footwear (not new). • Pack one zip lock bag with a clean shirt, and one pair of socks and underwear. Once you arrive at the airport, you will trade this bag with someone from the group. This is to ensure that if you lose any baggage, you will have something clean to change into.

9. Packing Reminders Continued • Travel experts suggest that if you can’t wear something several times (except socks and underwear), don’t pack it. • Tag your luggage on the inside and out (in case your luggage tag gets torn off or your luggage gets lost). • Roll everything you can. This will keep it from getting wrinkled. • Use space saving ideas such as if you pack a purse, fill it with items, stuff socks into shoes if you are bringing more than one pair. • DO NOT PUT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN YOUR CHECKED BAGGAGE - CARRY THEM WITH YOU ON THE PLANE (passport – chaperones can carry credit cards, money, prescriptions, vitamins, glasses, contacts, anything you consider irreplaceable). However, place all liquids and gels into a clear plastic bag that is easily accessible for security personnel.

10. Packing Reminders Continued • Consider bringing the following items with you: • A safe way of carrying money (neck valaise, etc) • Comfortable runners/shoes for a great deal of walking • Playing cards or other small games • Clothes in layers - a light rain jacket • At least one pair of pants • Some snack bars such as granola bars • A watch (preferably with alarm) • If you wear contacts, bring glasses as well • A plastic garbage bag or two for dirty laundry • An adapter to plug in electric appliances such as hairdryers • A Journal or notebook to write in • A POSITIVE, FLEXIBLE ATTITUDE !!!

11. Electronics and Valuables • I know that most of you think that you can’t live for 12 days • without your smart-phone. I understand that for some of you • this serves as your camera, your alarm and your mp3 player. However, if you are willing to take a screen fast, bring a cheaper camera, and leave your smart phone at home, I strongly encourage it. You are not to be listening to music when there is a tour guide talking anyways, and if you have free time, I would advise you to be soaking up every inch of the experience. You are paying far too much for this trip to spend your time tuning out! • In general other valuables (watches, expensive jewelry, I-pads, etc) should likely be left at home. Ask yourself: • Would I cry if this item was lost or broken? If the answer is yes, then please, do not bring it.

12. Money Reminders • Participants must have some foreign cash before you leave Canada - Euros - you can purchase them at various locations. • Approximately $50-75 CAD (30-50 Euros) per day. • MONEY for lunches is needed - calculate for 20-30% more than what you might spend here so that you can get enough to eat - it is more expensive there (Lunch is likely to cost $10-20 CAD per day) • TUCK some money (small amounts) in Euros and Kroner in another place in your baggage, for emergency use if necessary. • Carry some Canadian currency for Canadian airports. • Since we will be travelling between countries with different currencies, the safest and easiest way to ensure you have access to currency is to have a working debit card. There will be functional Bank machines readily available in all places. • Let your bank know that you are travelling abroad.

13. Money Reminders Cont…

14. Money Reminders… • CARRYING MONEY: • Participants should never carry more than 75 Euros • (or the equivalent to) around with them at any one time, except when • Travelling between destinations • (loss, pickpockets etc.). • Participants’ money can usually be kept in the safety deposit box at • the hotel during the day. • Participants should consider wearing a neck valaise underneath • their clothes to thwart pickpockets. • Female participants, if they are going to take a purse along, should • hold it in front of you at all times. • Male participants, if they are going to bring a wallet, should keep it • in a front pocket rather than a back pocket.

15. Credit/Debit Cards • You might consider having a credit card with you for emergencies - either one under your parents’ account in YOUR NAME or one in YOUR NAME on your own - not necessary to have a large credit limit but probably $ 500 - 1000 would be recommended (this is not required and is only an option). • ATM cards work well as long as you are prepared to pay whatever the exchange happens to be at that time. Please note that ATM (debit) card use is not as extensive as in Canada so you may not be able to use them at restaurants and shops all of the time. They may not be quickly available and they need to be European-compliant (check with your • bank. • TUCK some money (small amounts) in Euros in another place in your baggage, for emergency use.

16. Telephone Calls • PHONE CALLS – please check with me prior to making any phones from your hotel phone. Generally, this will not be allowed. • It is recommended to have a Ekit or Telus calling card to use. Also, you may consider using Canada Direct numbers. • Texting can be infinitely cheaper but you are still probably better off using internet cafes when you are at your destinations. • There will be opportunities to contact family occasionally from internet cafés or from computers in the hotel. However, communication to home should not get in the way of you immersing yourself in the experience! My general advice to travelers and students is that no news is good news! There will plenty of time upon return for sharing travel stories.

17. Telephone Tree Charts • YOU should have picked up a telephone chain chart of the phone numbers of all emergency contacts of participants. • IF any contact needs to be made, I will contact his/her contact back in Canada. At that point, the GL’s contact will call the first name on the top of each list and all we ask is that you contact the person or people immediately below you. • WILL be used if return flight information is changed and arrival home is different than scheduled. • IS USED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY !!

18. Travel Information - Hotels

19. Dress/Attire • Be aware that you may be going into religious centres such as • churches and that they usually require people to wear long sleeve • shirts, long pants etc. • Have the ability to layer your clothes as temperatures may range • from 5 C - 20 C. • You will be doing a great deal of walking so ensure you have • comfortable walking shoes/runners.

20. Baggage Procedures • As you know, you will be receiving ribbon at the airport to attach to your checked bag as well as your carry-on luggage. • When you go to pick up your bags, a suggestion is to select 8-12 people from your group to collect the bags for your entire group. This small group should remove any valuables they have on them (wallets, purses, jewelry etc) and they go to collect any bags with your particular ribbon on it. Form a line that escorts all of your luggage back to your group. The rest of the group stays in a safe place away from potential pickpockets.

21. Subways • You may be taking subways in your destinations. • Here is a procedure for using the subways: • Always stay near your chaperones and watch the people in your group that are ahead of you as there are many twists and turns in complex subway systems. It is very easy to get separated from your group. • When it comes time for your group to get on a subway – YOU NEED TO GET ON. YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PUSH BUT BE POLITE AS WELL. • If you are a large group, spread out along the platform to wait for the next train BUT ALWAYS STAY AROUND YOUR CHAPERONES. • I recommend that the Tour Guide be at the front of the train and your group leader be at the back of the train. As a student, YOU NEED TO BE IN BETWEEN THE TOUR GUIDE AND YOUR GROUP LEADER

22. Subways Cont’d • Before you get on the subway, try to find out from your group leader or tour guide how many stops you need to go to before you get off. • Confirm the number of stops when you are on the train – make sure everyone in the group understands what stops you need to get out on. • When you get to that stop, get off the train quickly and go stand against the nearest wall near your chaperone. • Check to see if everyone in your group is accounted for before you head to your next train or destination. • **IF YOU GET SEPARATED FROM YOUR GROUP WHILE ON THE SUBWAY, (I.E.: YOU DIDN’T GET OFF THE TRAIN WHEN EVERYONE ELSE DID), GET OFF AT THE VERY NEXT STOP AND SIT YOUR BUTT DOWN ON THE NEAREST BENCH – DO NOT MOVE FROM THIS SPOT AND YOUR TOUR GUIDE OR GROUP LEADER WILL COME AND FIND YOU !!!

23. Travel Information - Return Home • Likewise, on the return trip home, participants are responsible for getting back home by themselves so parents should be waiting upon our arrival back home at the airport in Regina. The flights obviously are scheduled but it will be up to parents to monitor whether flights are on time.

24. Backpacks/T-Shirts/Luggage Tags & Journals • All paying trip participants receive the following items: • EF Backpack • EF Luggage Tag

25. Helpful Concluding Tips It will be Easter which is an important holiday season with many people traveling. Remember the "rule of three" and go no-where alone. Guard against pick pockets and purse snatchers by carrying your day pack or purse across your chest, especially on public transport, on escalators or moving platforms or in crowded plazas. Keep each day's spending money separate from your main bankroll so you don't have to "dig" for funds in a public place. Consider wearing a money belt or pouch under your clothing - I know it can be a bit uncomfortable but it works. And no "fanny packs"!! 3. Your bank card will probably work at ATMs - if it has a 4 digit pin number - and the ATM displays the necessary logo. But it won't work to buy stuff from stores. There you'll need cash or a credit card.

26. Helpful Concluding Tips Continued Use the washroom whenever you have a chance. Toilets are scarce, and there's often a charge to use them! Up to a euro each time! McDonalds is a good choice - more or less clean, "American style" facilities. When you're buying lunch you'll be doing so independently from the main group, most likely. Remember the following: a) menus are posted outside; check them before you enter b) the same meal will cost at least double if you have "table service". So buy and eat "take away" style, like the locals do. Fill the corners of your suitcase with cereal bars, a small flashlight, a travel alarm clock.

27. Helpful Concluding Tips Continued • Any room charges you incur overnight have to be cleared, by you, before any of us can leave each morning!! So, stay out of the mini-bar - even for pop and nuts!! You won't be popular if you and your room mates get into a big argument at 7.30 am over who had all that pop that now costs 25 euros!!! • Think carefully about the contents of your carry-on luggage and personal accessories. Discard anything that can be considered a "sharp" object or a potential "weapon". • Any pressurized, aerosol-type product is best left at home. If you do take this, it should be in your carry on bag (and thus subject to inspection and possible confiscation). • 10. Push your comfort zone. Try new things!

28. Before you leave please… • Sign the Alcohol/ Drug letter of agreement • Ensure that your information on the emergency • contact list is current. • 3) Ensure you know when your son or daughter’s next • EF meeting is • 4) Ensure your questions are answered • Do not hesitate to contact me at: • kris.dueck@luthercollege.edu • Or via cell at 551-6173 if you have additional questions • If you have any questions that I am unable to respond to, • Please call EF at: 1800-263-2806

29. Questions? Concerns?