Loyola University Chicago

• Electrical Appliances
• Medicine and Toilet Articles
• Linens, Blankets, and Towels
• List of Useful Items
• Packing Guide

Packing Guide

When packing for a year, semester or summer in Rome, one should keep in mind the following information:

• Find out what the typical weather pattern is for the time period that you will be there.  Find out what the typical weather is like in Rome.   
• Research how many pieces of luggage can be taken on an international flight and what is the allowed weight limit for each piece.
• Make sure the luggage meets all of the safety and customs requirements for international flights.
• Leave extra room in luggage or bring an empty backpack, which can be used for souveniers that  you plan to bring home.
• Always keep valuables such as money, passport and camera equipment in a carry on bag, which should stay with you at all times during the flight.
• Insure the baggage and personal effects for the full period abroad.
• Carry a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is delayed. 
• Shipping packages or boxes to the Rome Center in NOT RECOMMENDED.  More information regarding this topic can be found here.    
• Personal belongings should be packed in suitcases of manageable size - a military duffel bag or travel backpack can be useful. These should be clearly labeled with the student's name and address. A weekend bag or backpack is most useful for short trips.
• Former students advise against bringing a large amount of clothing. There is adequate closet and storage space for a moderate wardrobe and, as the year progresses, souvenirs and other items purchased during travels will accumulate. Students should keep in mind that Italians dress very well, and American students are often easily identifiable by their attire. To fit in to the European scene, one needs to dress appropriately. Particularly in this era of heightened alert for Americans traveling abroad, students should make every possible effort to fit into the local scene and not "stand out" as Americans.
• Try not to bring clothing emblazoned with the Americn flag or other symbols of the U.S.A.  While wearing such clothing is normal and expected in the United States, wearing it in Europe or other continents is imprudent and risky.
• It cannot be over-emphasized that Italian buildings are inadequately heated by U.S. standards.  The Rome Center is housed in a building that contains marble and stone, so the chill and the dampness of late fall, winter, and early spring permeate the building, even when the heat is on.  Students should bring warm clothing for the cooler months.  Similarly, air-conditioning is not common in Italy and the Rome Center also does not have air conditioning.  The warmer months can be very hot and the mosquitoes are omnivourous. 

These items are generally available at higher prices than in the United States. American cosmetics and other products are expensive because they are heavily taxed. It is wise to bring a complete supply of prescription medicines and vitamins. Wearers of glasses and contact lenses should bring an extra pair and a copy of their prescription with them. These products can be replaced in Rome but tend to be more expensive.

All bed linens, including blankets, pillows, and bedspreads, are provided by the Rome Center. Towels and wash cloths are not provided; these items are available at stores in the immediate vicinity of the Rome Center. One set of towels should be brought from home for use until a student can shop in Rome.

The electric current at the Rome Center is 220V; therefore, students will need converters for their electrical equipment. Since European electricity is 50 cycles A.C., electrical equipment with motors will not work properly and will burn out. Electric shavers and hairdryers will function if they are not left running for a long time. Because of the different shape of prongs on European plugs, ALL American electrical equipment will need an inexpensive plug adapter. Often it is more practical to buy small appliances, such as hair dryers, in Rome.

Here are suggestions which students in the past have found helpful.

Essentials

• Passport and visa letter
• Tickets
• Credit and ATM cards
• Traveler's Check and Traveler's Check Counterfoils(carried separately)
• Approximately 200 Euros
• U.S. cash ($100)
• Insurance Information
• Extra ID
• Prescription Medicines
• Five passport size photos of yourself(not wearing glasses).
• Official letter of admission(lettera d'iscrizione) that is issued with the student visa.  Failure to bring this letter to Rome may result in dismissal from the program.
• Photocopies of your passport, IDs, credit cards, ATM card or any other important items.

• Antiseptic Cream
• Aspirin, Tylenol, etc.
• Extra eye-glasses, prescriptions, contact lenses, contact solution
• Feminine Products
• Ear plugs & "swimmer ear" prevention drops
• Insect Repellent
• Sunscreen (high SPF is difficult to find and costly)
  

• Clothes that don't wrinkle, show dirt, and are "layer-able."  Your clothes should be for many seasons, since you may have summer temperatures up through October and then cooler and rainy weather in January and February. 
• Hat, gloves, scarf
• One "good" outfit for special events
• Parka, down jacket or fiber filled nylon coat; raincoat
• Shoes-dress, comfortable walking shoes, flip-flops, boots, slippers
• Socks-thin cotton, thermal, wool
• Sweaters
• Sweats
• Swimsuit
• T-shirts
• Underwear
• Warm pajamas

Miscellaneous:

• Address book
• Alarm clock (battery)
• Backpack(large enough for weekend travel)
• Book light (tiny, portable)
• Deodorant / anti-perspirant
• Cards, games
• Camera (simple) & extra batteries
• Flashlight
• Gifts from the U.S. (e.g., T-shirts or campus sweat shirts)
• Handi-wipes
• Journal
• Ipod or MP3 player
• Laptop Computer (there is wireless at the Rome Center, but only in common areas, not in residence hall rooms)
• Mosquito Netting to hang on windows
• Paperback Italian/English dictionary
• Passport pouch or money belt
• Pictures of Your Family/Friends/Pets/House to share
• Sewing kit, super glue
• Small throw or blanket for traveling
• Spot remover
• Swiss army knife
• Travel guides
• Towel
• Umbrella
• Washcloths
• Watch
• Ziplock bags (to keep things dry)