You have probably been told by several people to keep a journal of your travel experiences. The recommendation here is to start now - before you leave - and to continue the journal for several months after your return. This will provide an opportunity to have the whole experience recorded. In other words, think of the education abroad experience not just in terms of your time in another culture, but rather as a process of learning that does not have a specific entry point - it begins well before you get on the plane and extends beyond your return to the US. Few have regretted keeping a journal - however, many regret not doing it. Odds are that you will have more time for journal writing during this experience than any time in the near future - so take advantage of it!

Reasons for keeping a journal
• Record your goals and personal agenda for your sojourn abroad
• Note your reflections during the preparation process
• Enter your feelings about your pending journey
• List the addresses and references collected during your research for an optimum opportunity and later during your time abroad
• Use as a diary during your sojourn abroad to record your experiences, study assignments, field trips and routines in your daily life
• Act as a vehicle for creative thinking through observation, reflection and analysis
• Assist in the cultural adaptation process by describing your feeling s and interactions in your new cultural milieu
• Record your feelings upon and after re-entry.
• Act as a record/document which can be submitted for academic credit.

Hints on selecting your approach to keeping a journal

J. Daniel Hess, in his book, The Whole World Guide to Culture Learning, notes that there are four traditional modes of discourse that you can use individually or in combination in your journal:

• Description - to describe, define, delineate, reveal, picture, show, list, trace, outline
• Narration - to narrate, tell a story, give an account, report an action
• Exposition - to analyze, detail, explain, explicate, interpret
• Argumentation - to argue, test, evaluate.

If your journal will be read by others, the readers interest will be piqued if you:
• Write in the same fashion as you would in a letter to a close friend
• Provide a contest for the stories and descriptions you relate
• Include specific names of things you discover in your new environment
• Provide translations of the indigenous works you include
• Use adjectives and adverbs to increase the descriptive quality of the text
• Tell stories and use quotes from the people you meet

Some questions for your consideration when writing your journal

The following questions are meant to help you reflect on the process of exploring the implications of moving across cultures, how to be effective in another culture and how to learn about that culture.

Before you leave:
• What do I want to get out of this experience? If I expect to make friends from the culture, how can I go about doing this? If I expect to improve my language skills, will I have to separate myself from other English speakers to do this?
• Why did I select the program I did?
• Does it matter to which country I go?
• Am I concerned about missing friends, family, significant other(s)?
• How do I plan to stay in touch with them?
• What is culture anyway? How would I draw "culture"?
• How would I describe the US? US Americans? Myself as a US American?
• How comfortable an I interviewing and talking with people from my host culture?

While in the host country:
• What are my initial reactions?
• Are my reactions different from those of my companions?
• What do I like the most about this culture? The least? Why?
• What type of experience do I feel engages me most? Isolates me most?
• What interaction was the most confusing of the past week? Most stressful?
• How effectively did I deal with these confusing and stress ful situations?
• Who was most helpful to me this past week? How did that happen?
• What are my most important insights about my cultural adjustment over the last week?
• What am I doing to meet people from the host culture?
• Am I being viewed as an individual, as an American, as a foreigner? How does this make me feel about myself?
• What were my goals before leaving? Have they changed?
• What can I do here that I cannot do at home? What can't I do here? How do I know these things?

Upon returning:
• What did I learn about the host culture? About myself?
• How can I apply what I learned to my life back home?
• Who will listen to my stories? Who could I seek out - campus organizations, the study abroad office - get more involved in international activities?
• Do I think of the US any differently now that I have returned? What do I like the most about my home culture? The least?
• What advice would I give to those who are leaving tomorrow for my host culture? How did I learn these things?

Adapted from the University of Minnesota

Packing Suggestions

Helpful hints from students who have studied abroad!

Most airlines have strict weight limits for baggage and note that restrictions may differ for overseas flights and in-country domestic flights. International carriers typically have weight limits that are less than what US carriers will allow. Most airlines also have strict "excess baggage fees" for luggage that is over the weight permitted. Call your airline directly to verify their policies.
Packing suggestions:

• Light-weight luggage that is very durable. Wheel/back-pack combinations are good since wheels are great in airports and on the street, but back-packs are better in train/subway stations.

• A large hiking backpack is another investment to consider for traveling. Make sure you buy one with an internal frame, good hip belt, small side pockets for storing small items and good back support.

• A day-pack is also useful. Many hiking backpacks include a detachable day pack.

• In your carry on luggage, bring a change of clothes and any essentials, including any prescription medications in their original containers with accompanying prescription, in case your luggage does not arrive with you.

• Mix things among your check-in bags as another precaution in case only one bag arrives. Label all your bags, inside and outside, with the address to which you want your luggage sent if it is lost.

PACK LIGHTLY! One strategy is to completely pack your suitcases, carryon bags and anything you plan to take with you and then take a walk around the block carrying everything. Remember that you will be carrying everything that you bring. Frequent flyers often advise, "Bring half as much as you initially intend."

Start thinking about what you want to take with you well in advance. Because you will need to pack as lightly as possible, bring outfits that coordinate well and do not wrinkle too much. Clothing should also be durable, comfortable and be able to be worn several times before being washed. Bring clothing you really like, you'll be wearing it a lot. Research the weather. Plan for all kinds of weather - while it may be summer when you first get to the Czech Republic, consider that winter will be approaching quickly and may be long and harsh. You may want to buy some clothing there, made specifically for the weather. It may be hard to find thermal underwear in Los Angeles in August, but you may need them overseas by September. Plan accordingly, and see the Travel Resources section of the IPO website http://www.oxy.edu/IPO.xml
or www.rainorshine.com. If you must have certain product brands, you might want to take a supply with you as international airmail can be very expensive.

In many countries, American electrical appliances will not work due to differences in current and outlets. If you bring appliances, you will likely need both a converter and an adapter. A converter changes the voltage from 220 (used in the U.S.) to another voltage. An adaptor attaches to your existing power cord to fit the electrical socket perhaps making your two pronged plug into a three pronged one. You may want to bring inexpensive battery operated essential appliances and plenty of batteries. A wind up or battery alarm clock would be more useful than an electric one.

Sample Packing List

Clothing
1 light, water-repellent jacket or raincoat
1 lounge outfit/sweat pants
1 dressy outfit for theater/formals
1 bathing suit
gloves, hat, scarf
1 pair of long-underwear
2 pairs of pajamas
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of khakis
1 skirt (women) or another pair of pants
1 cotton sweater
1 dark cardigan sweater/sports coat
2 blouses/shirts
several t-shirts/summer shirts
1 weeks worth of socks
1 weeks worth of underwear
Additional professional clothes for students participating in an internship

Shoes
1 pair of dress shoes
1 pair of comfortable and broken-in walking/hiking shoes (waterproof preferred)
1 pair of casual shoes/loafers
1 pair of slippers
1 pair of flip flops/sandals

Accessories
Accessories help round out a seemingly sparse wardrobe. A belt or scarf adds a lot to an outfit and packs easily. However, do NOT pack expensive jewelry or clothes as these will mark you as "wealthy" - an invitation to crooks - and may get lost in your travels.

Bath & Toiletries
1 towel
Deodorant
Glasses/contacts & contact solution
1 toothbrush and toothpaste
1 hair brush
1 travel size manicure set
1 shaver
Cosmetics
1 month of feminine hygiene products
Small travel size toiletries (optional)
Miscellaneous
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Journal
MP3 player and favorite music
Language dictionary, phrase book, currency converter
A list of family/friends addresses
Copies of contact information for academic advisor, credit card companies, hometown banks
Travel alarm clock (battery operated)
Small flashlight
Camera
Film or memory card (more expensive abroad)
Batteries
Plug converter kit for your country
Small bungee cord
Travel guides
A small sewing kit
A few packets of Woolite or similar detergent
A few photos of family and friends
A few of your favorite recipes (to make for friends or your host family)
Small gift for your host family.

Rosetta Stone

www.rosettastone.com
One of the most popular language learning software methods. Because it is software, it can easily integrate audio, text and images. This allows the learner to associate the sound and look of the written language with real-life images in a natural way. They claim that Rosetta Stone teaches you a new language the way you learned your native language. Benefits include:
• Learn naturally with no translation or memorization.
• Engage interactively and stay motivated with a range of activities and exercises.
• Speak confidently and build your conversational skills using our speech recognition software.
Rosetta Stone language learning software is available for the following languages for Level 1, 2 and 3 :
--Portuguese (Brazilian)
For our programs in Brazil - Sao Paulo, Fortaleza
--Greek
For our program in Greece--Athens
--Dutch
For our program in the Netherlands--Amsterdam
--Italian
For our program in Italy--Rome
-- Arabic
For our programs in Morocco and Jordan
-- Chinese (Mandarin)
--Hindi
For our program in India-- Hyderabad

Rosetta Stone language learning software is available for the following languages for Level 1 only of Version 2 :
-- Turkish
For our program in Turkey--Istanbul
--Thai
For our program in Thailand--Khon Kaen

Getting Around Los Angeles

At Occidental, you are just minutes away from the theaters, museums and restaurants of downtown Los Angeles, including the new Disney Hall. Downtown L.A. is full of action: clubs, world-class museums and galleries, opera and theater. L.A. also has its own basketball and baseball teams. Their home games take place in L.A. and can be a fun excuse to get out into the city. Below is a brief list of ideas for your spare time.

Nearby Pasadena is home to the Rose Bowl, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Huntington Library. The city has numerous museums, art galleries, and entertainment and shopping districts, including Old Pasadena.
Amusement parks such as Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm are all located in cities near Los Angeles. These sites are part of the Greater Los Angeles area and are within an hour’s drive from campus.
Clubs and residence halls frequently organize trips to attend plays and sporting events, visit museums, theme parks, and shopping districts. Many beaches are within an hour’s drive; skiing and Palm Springs are two hours.
Always ask about student discounts when you pay for any entrance fees or tickets and be prepared to show your student identification card. Check out the Student Activity Center (SAC) in Oxy for brochures on tourist spots near L.A.

Photo courtesy of Ivelina Georgieva.

Getting Around

Walking
Occidental is within walking distance of restaurants, burger joints, coffee houses, grocery stores, a DVD/video rental store, clothing stores, and a bowling alley with the best karaoke in LA, according to the LA Alternative Press.

Driving
About two-thirds of students living on campus have cars. Parking on campus is free, but a permit is required. Various freeways link Eagle Rock with the rest of the city.

Shuttle Bus
A free “Bengal Bus” shuttle service is available to you as a student. It is run by the Oxy ASOC. The shuttles go to local restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, and DVD/video rental stores, as well as the Glendale Galleria and Old Pasadena. Check ASOC for schedules. Every weekend the Bengal Bus takes students to the shopping areas in Pasadena and Glendale. Outings to other areas of interest are also organized throughout the semester.

Public Transportation
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) http://www.mta.net operates four metro rail lines and 200 bus lines in greater Los Angeles. The Metro Gold Line runs to both Pasadena and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. The Highland Park Gold Line station can be reached using either the city’s DASH Shuttle service ( http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/ ) or an MTA (catch the eastbound Route 83 on York Boulevard).

You can get almost anywhere from the Gold Line Light Rail. The Gold Line is easily and quickly accessible by bus from several locations near Occidental.

Because Los Angeles is such a huge, sprawling city and the public transportation system is young, it may be challenging to get around quickly. However, you will find that you can get to almost anywhere easily and cheaply on the Metro buses and light rail. For more information about public transportation in Los Angeles, please visit the metro website.