College Student Packing Guidelines

 

Please read this carefully. It contains information you need to know and do.

I.  Things to take with you…remembering you are to pack light!

NOTE: DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING THAT IS IRREPLACEABLE.

PERSONAL ITEMS: There is no need to take washcloths, towels, pillows, laundry powder, or soap unless you absolutely must have your special brand.

Toiletry/personal items (You can get most kinds of goods in China, but they may not be your exact brand, size, or flavor. Three items not easily found are deodorant, after-shave lotion, and tampons.) Pain relievers (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil), mosquito repellant, diarrhea/constipation medications, basic first-aid kit (bandaids, itch ointment, general antibiotic), wet wipes / antibacterial waterless hand soap – as desired. Digital cameras can easily be processed or downloaded for printing in most places.  Disposable cameras can be downlaoded in some places. Bible, devotional materials, and music tapes, as desired, for yourself. Ziploc bags (good for packing wet clothing if needed). Shower shoes (flip flops can be bought there) Homemade business cards with your name, address, phone, email address to be given to Chinese students all of whom will want your address.  These can be cheaply printed in China. Photos of family, friends to show to Chinese friends

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHOULD BE IN YOUR POSSESSION AT ALL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING.

** Prescription medications and vitamins that you must have. **
** Passport
** Two good copies of passport, Chinese visa, E-ticket receipt (get it at check-in), and extra passport photo **
** Traveler's checks/cash (amount up to you; for souvenirs, extra water, cokes, etc.)
** Extra glasses or contacts if needed

** Your driver's license to use for replacing lost passport, if needed.
(If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need your driver's license, passport copy and extra photos in order to get a new passport. It will cost you about $300.00 to replace your passport and the Chinese Visa. There will be additional cost for traveling to the U.S. Embassy, staying at a hotel, and paying the Chinese bureau to re-issue the visa.)

FOR THE PALATE: Chips Ahoy, Oreos, M&Ms, Snickers & Mars candy bars, Tang drink mix, gum, and Ritz Crackers were all available in China last summer. If you have a special "must-have" snack food, i.e., Power bars, granola, peanut butter, dried soup, then take it with you. Yet, you can probably find enough snack foods to sustain you. We have never lost anyone due to starvation or malnutrition.

CLOTHING: If it doesn't fit into a carry-on size suitcase, then you have too many clothes. YOU MAY STOP LAUGHING NOW! Seriously, four or five outfits are more than enough, I promise you! Mix and match. We are so rich compared to the Chinese students; we don't need to show them how rich. We are not there to make a fashion statement. The hotel where we will stay does laundry for you at a very inexpensive cost. Or you may wash your clothes by hand in a sink. Chinese detergent is wonderful!

Be prepared for very hot and humid weather. Light clothing that dries quickly is nice. Jeans are not recommended because they are heavy and don't dry quickly in humid or rainy weather. At least one pair of slacks or light weight jeans may come in handy in case of a "cool" spell, as happened last summer in some cities. Also a lightweight jacket. You definitely should not bring tank-tops, short shorts, or low-cut sun dresses. Two pairs of comfortable shoes are recommended. Sandals and athletic type shoes work well. There is no need for specialty clothing, i.e., Sunday dress or suit, or dress shoes. Appropriate dress: NO VISIBLE UNDERWEAR FOR MEN OR WOMEN. NO LOW RISE PANTS OR SHORT TOPS/SHIRTS. THIS TRANSLATES AS "NO EXPOSED MIDRIFF SKIN." Young women: Bermuda-type shorts (absolutely no short shorts), slacks, capri pants, or skirts with knit or tee shirt tops during morning classes. Bermudas, capris or slacks during afternoon and evening activities and free time. Slacks or skirts for church. Young men: Bermuda-type shorts, khakis/slacks, and polo or tee shirts for classes and afternoon activities. Khakis/slacks for church. Take only simple, inexpensive jewelry. As little as possible.

PACKING:  DO NOT OVERPACK!

We recommend the following that is in accordance with most airlines.

• One purse, or small backpack, or small brief case. Only one of these.
• One carry-on sized bag (9x13x21) for clothing and personal items.
  
  Imagine that this is all the luggage you will take. In reality, if you absolutely must take something else, then you may take …
  
  
• One large checked suitcase. Total dimensions 62 inches; total weight 50 pounds… strictly enforced. Overweight luggage can cost $100 or more.

Now before you get too excited about having another suitcase, continue reading. Your help will be needed in taking extra materials for the good of our team and others. Here's the story.

Most of you will be asked to help take teaching supplies and materials for the use of our group. Included will be some of the following: 150 tee shirts (like the one you will receive), 150 baseball caps, 150 decks of UNO cards, all to be given to the Chinese students in our program. Remember this is an exchange of culture, so we are taking our culture with us! We'll make arrangements with you to receive these items, ask you to officially "pack" them in a suitcase, and check them in at your home departure city. When you check in at the airport, make sure the bags are checked to Beijing. At the end of the project you will have an empty suitcase for souvenirs!

II.  Other Very Important Information!  

NON-SCHOOL/HOME ADDRESS:

If you are a student living away from home, then we must have an address, phone number, and email address where you can be contacted after you leave school. Please email this info to us NOW! IF ANY OF THIS INFO CHANGES, YOU MUST TELL US!

CHINA TOUR BOOK: Some have asked about a recommendation for a good travel book for China. There are many choices at Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, etc. From past experiences the one that stands out is Lonely Planet China. (We do not own stock in the company!) Of course, the internet and local library are sources for information.

DAILY SCHEDULE WHILE ON CAMPUS DURING FIRST 3 WEEKS:

Your morning should look somewhat like this although it may change:

7:10-7:45 Morning devotional/prayer time and breakfast
8:30 - 11:50  Classes with short breakes between

Noon - 2:20 Lunch, team meeting, and xiuxi (rest time, pronounced "she-oo she")
2:30 - 4:00 Afternoon Activities (You may be asked to lead this time of games, sports, dancing)
5:00 - 6:00 Dinner and prayer time
6:30 - 7:30 Videos, games, and free time with Chinese students.

Midnight curfew.

THE ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS for those staying for 5 weeks will be spend leading English camps (games, songs, fun activities, etc.) for Chinese high school students in a village. This will be an encouragement beyond imagination for those young students, as well as for yourself! What a chance to show Christian concern and love!

Since we are in China to impact our Chinese friends for Christ, you are being asked to spend your free time with them. It is wise that three or more students be together at any given time. It is unwise to "pair" off with a member of the opposite sex either Chinese or American. With three or more there is never a misunderstanding of friendly gestures. For example, it would be easy for our Chinese students to misread a friendly hug from the opposite sex.

You are also being asked to not form small groups of just American students. You will have opportunities to get to know each other during our sharing times, as well as before and after the campus time when we do our "cultural friendship sightseeing" in Beijing. The time with the Chinese students is short.

FREQUENT FLYER ENROLLMENT:

If you are not enrolled in the Frequent Flyer Program for your airline, then call their toll-free number and enroll or go on line to their web site. You will get an ID number and card. Call the airline and have it entered into your flight record immediately. Give it to the agent upon your check in for the first flight of this trip to China. Why? It's good stewardship! You will get about 16,000 miles for the round trip flight to China. It only takes 25,000 miles for a free domestic ticket with most airlines.

VOLUNTEER TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Each volunteer will be enrolled in a supplemental international travel insurance plan designed for Volunteers that provides comprehensive travel assistance while traveling overseas. You and the entire group will automatically be enrolled. The insurance cost is covered in your total trip cost because you are part of the group.

SHOTS/IMMUNIZATIONS:

It is recommended that you talk with your local County Health Department or personal physician about any shots and/or immunizations you should have for this China trip. From past experiences, it is very probable that you will be directed to update your tetanus/DPT, typhoid, polio booster, hepatitis (vaccines for long term protection or gamma globulin for short term resistance).

OFFICIAL PROJECT SHIRT:

A screen printed t-shirt in the size you stated on your application will be sent to you. You will need to wear this shirt in China as part of the team. If the funds are available, the Chinese students will have this similar shirt.

TRAVELERS CHECKS, CASH, CREDIT CARDS:

How much money should you take to China? It depends on you. A good guess is 2 hundred dollars in Travelers Checks, and 1 to 2 hundred dollars in cash (new, untorn bills). Credit cards like VISA and Master Card can be used in big cities and a few other places. Take only one card so as not to worry about them. Cash cards did work in some cities last summer. The service fee is unknown.

TOASTING AND RELATED ISSUES:

You as honored guests from the USA may be treated to an official dinner as a way of showing appreciation for your coming to learn about China and interact with Chinese students. During the banquet it is traditional for the Chinese hosts to offer toasts throughout the meal. There is a whole toasting culture! We will reciprocate by toasting about the quality of the food, the excellent accommodations, the kindness shown to us, etc. The "sticky" toasting concern is that the Chinese school officials will often use alcohol for toasting and may encourage you to do the same.

Many of us have differing opinions about the moderate use of alcohol. Some condone it as a personal choice; others think it is absolutely wrong. Both groups use scripture to justify their positions. We are not trying to change your opinions on the issue. We are asking that you not be a stumbling block to your fellow team members. The use of alcohol during toasting situations has caused much ill will between members of a team, and such tension can easily be sensed by the school leaders. This is counterproductive in that we are to be models of Christ. Because of this we are asking that during this assignment you please refrain from the use of alcohol. You will be asked to sign a statement related to this issue to show your cooperation. We just wanted to explain why we are asking you to do this. If you have a problem with this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

PRAYER SUPPORT:

We know that Satan would be delighted if you became discouraged because you don't know every detail of the trip. He would be thrilled to see us not willing to help by taking teaching materials, shirts, or other needed items. An uncooperative spirit is what he desires for us. He would be thrilled to have us fearful about the world situation. Satan is very crafty. He will attack us at our weakest points. Prayer is what you need to do. It’s what all of us need to do now.

• Pray for your Christian witness while in China.
• Pray for the leaders at our school.
• Pray for the Chinese students who will be in this cultural exchange.
• Pray for the Chinese teachers who will be your teachers.
• Pray for yourself and your fellow American students.
• Pray for the American teachers who will be teaching the Chinese students.

CHINA BEATITUDE: Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.