Packing_Culture

=Packing list_China Exchange 2013=


 * Clothing**: Please dress modestly and conservatively, as we want to be good representatives of MICDS and leave a good impression. Dress code applies when attending school at SFLS. Bring one outfit of formal attire for school receptions (no sports jackets required for boys).
 * □ ** Tops: shirts, T-shirts, polo shirts
 * □ ** Bottoms: Bermuda-style shorts (no Nike or short shorts), skirts/dresses (for girls); long, light summer pants, slacks. You may bring jeans, but they will be hot.
 * □ ** Comfortable shoes for walking and socks: tennis shoes and/or comfortable/practical sandals. You will do a lot of walking.
 * □ ** Light summer sweaters or jackets for air-conditioned buildings and cooler evenings.

□  School supplies: pens/pencils, notebook/light folder, Chinese-English dictionary (small or cell-phone app)
convertible plugs according to your actual needs. === □ ATM / Debit Card / Credit Card - to get renminbi (yuán) or make purchases. Please contact your banks to let them know you are travelling out of the country and check with them about partner banks in China and fees associated with withdrawals or charges. Discover cards are not widely accepted in China. Keep photocopies of your cards (front and back) and emergency numbers separate in case you lose your wallet or purse. Also make sure your parents have photocopies at home. ===
 * □ Travel size toiletries for the dorm/international house–** cleanser (air pollution in Shanghai and Beijing); shampoo/conditioner; body wash/soap; tooth brush, tooth paste, hand towel; shaving items; deodorant; tissues (many public toilets do not have toilet paper); travel hair dryer.
 * □ Medications** (and any prescriptions you may need in case of loss) – cold medicine, aspirin/Tylenol, allergy (for symptoms brought about by air pollution), anti-diarrheal medicine, insect repellent, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, Band-Aids.
 * □ Converter and plug adaptor** - The electricity in China is 220v and the sockets in common use are the two-phase circular holes. Don't forget to prepare the

Keep your exchange (or ATM) receipts so you can re-exchange your Chinese currency for home currency on your way out.
=== □ Gifts for your buddy (host family): presents representing us, such as books of St. Louis, MICDS products sold at campus book store, Cardinal-related products, and etc. ===
 * □ US cash/renminbi** – Contact your local bank and plan to bring $200 worth of renminbi with you. You can get more once there with your debit/credit card. Please have some US currency with you to exchange at the airport upon arrival.
 * □ Mobile phone** – if you bring your phone, please make sure it is unlocked for global use and that you have talked to your mobile phone company about an international calling plan. Otherwise, your bills will be astronomical.


 * Luggage** – Limit two checked bags, but we recommend one bag. The weight limit for American Airlines is 50lb and the maximum linear dimensions limit is 62 inches (length + width + height). You will be responsible for carrying everything you choose to bring at all times. No one else is going to carry your bags for you.


 * Backpack or carry-on** – For the airplane carry-on as well as for use while in China.

===Weather: Humid and hot. Summer heat begins to set in during June. The average temperature rises to 79 °F, with the highest temperature reaching around 95 °F. The rainy season also begins this month. === === FYI - Drink only bottled water. **Remember when you take a shower, be careful not to get any water in your mouth **. It tastes normal, but could easily make you sick. Always brush your teeth with bottled water. ===
 * Passport pouch** – To keep underneath your clothing for money and any bank cards.


 * __Our thoughts on bringing MICDS laptops:__** Although we cannot forbid you from taking your laptop, we would discourage it. You are there to take advantage of immersing yourself in a new culture and become involved with your Chinese host families, not to isolate yourself by watching movies, playing video games, or communicating with your friends back home. You risk losing or breaking your laptop and it adds unnecessary weight to your suitcase. You should be able to have computer access at your host family’s home or at school.

Toilette kit : Things you need for staying in the dorm/international house.

 * ===Cleanser: Air pollution in Shanghai and Beijing due to the density of the population.===
 * ===Shampoo/conditioner, body wash or a bar of soap===
 * ===Tooth brush, tooth paste, hand towel===
 * ===shaving items (for boys)===
 * ===Deodorant===
 * ===Cotton tips, dental hygiene products and a nail clipper===

=== Clothing : Dress code applies. One outfit of formal attire for school receptions (no sports jackets for boys). If you tend to get chilled when walking into a supermarket in the summer, be prepared for it when in China. Chained supermarkets, or department stores might have strong air-conditions on.===
 * tops: shirts, T-shirts, polo shirts
 * shorts (not beach shorts), skirts/dresses (for girls)
 * long, light summer pants, slacks (long jeans are too hot)
 * socks
 * comfortable shoes: tennis shoes, sandals
 * 1-2 light summer cardigans or shrugs (for girls)

Accessory :

 * ===sunglasses===
 * ===cap/hat (for outings)===
 * ===umbrella===
 * ===a sturdy day backpack or knapsack (furnished with shoulder straps)===
 * ===watch, cell phone for knowing time===

Medicine : depending on your needs/preference
===Drink only bottled water.**Remember when you take a shower, be careful not to get any water in your mouth**. It tastes normal, but could easily make you sick. Always brush your teeth with bottled water.===
 * ===cold medicine===
 * ===aspirin/ Tylenol===
 * === allergy (for air pollution, not so much for pollen) ===
 * === anti-diarrheal medicine or stomach medicine (must have)===
 * ===Insect repellent is also recommended if you tend to get mosquito bites===
 * ===Sunblocks (travel size) is also recommended.===
 * ===Hand sanitizer===
 * === contact lens solution if you wear contact lens ===
 * ===disinfectant tissues and bandage===

Money : Exchange USD200 worth of Renminbi here in St. Louis. Withdrawing cash from ATM machines in Shanghai should not be a problem. Discover cards are not accepted in China.

 * ===Make sure you've got some home-currency cash with you to exchange at the airport upon arrival. ===
 * ===Bring along at least one ATM card and possibly a back-up. ===
 * ===IF you want to bring a credit card (debit card suggested), be sure to inform your credit card company that you'll be traveling so they don't block your purchases. ===
 * ===Keep photocopies of your cards (front and back) and emergency numbers separately in case you lose your wallet or purse. Better yet, leave them with someone trustworthy at home whom you can contact in case of emergency. ===
 * ===<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #008000; font-family: serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Keep your exchange (or ATM) receipts so you can re-exchange your Chinese currency for home currency on your way out. ===

** Directions from SFLS to China Construction Bank ATM (to avoid fees): 广灵四路118号
1 mile=1.6 kilometer; 1 kilometer=0.6 mile

In-flight /transit reading materials such as a guide book. Bring your guide books with you so you can read them on the airplane and in your hotel room so the information will be fresh in your mind.
===** Cellphones **: click here for cellphones (identify if your own cellphone matches the SIM card in China) This website also have packages for cellphone rentals. Your cellphone needs to be unlocked to use SIM card in China. Alternatively, you can also consider cellphone rentals.===
 * ===International roaming charge is about $2/minute (AT&T, Verizon) (if you use your phone)===
 * ===Another choice for cellpohone rentals or SIM card ===

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: Will my mobile phone work in China?
===<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A: It depends on the type of phone. There are two main carriers in China: China Mobile uses GSM and China Unicom uses CDMA. If you have a dual-band or tri-band unlocked GSM phone, you can use it in China. You can also purchase a SIM card in China for use in compatible phones; this will give you a Chinese number and allow you to purchase minutes in the form of cards that may be purcashed for different values (RMB 50, RMB 100, RMB 500). ===

Packing tips

 * ===Roll your clothes instead of folding them or use vacuum bags. In this way you will save space and provide extra protection for your clothing.===
 * ===No more than 3 oz of liquid in your hand carry-on. Put them in a ziplock bag. No limit on the liquid including lotions in a checked luggage.===

Last minute check-list for your hand bag on the plane:
> ||
 * == passport with the Chinese visa ==
 * == a pen ==
 * == money (some US dollars at Chicago airport if needed, Chinese currency and debit card) ==
 * == flight itinerary ==
 * == a watch or cellphone for boarding time ==
 * == prescribed medication if you have to take it in case of the luggage lost ==
 * == in-flight reading/audio materials ==
 * == comfortable clothing to wear on the plane ==
 * == Get a good night sleep and be at the airport (AA check-in) at 6AM on June 15. ==
 * ===衣===

(衣服）
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 * ===住===

(宿舍）
单人床 dan ren chuang || ||
 * ==校园== || [[image:summer_2010_SFLS_(2).jpg width="320" height="240"]][[image:summer_2010_SFLS_(6).jpg width="240" height="642"]][[image:summer_2010_SFLS_(5).jpg width="320" height="240"]] ||
 * ===Etiquette===

liV yi/
|| ===Wait to be seated (in the host family, restaurants and even in cars with host family)===

You can address host parents as 叔叔 shu/ shu (uncle)，阿姨 a yi (auntie)
. || . ||
 * ===说中文=== || ===Try hard to speak Chinese. As long as you say the "key words", you can always negotiate for meanings if you don't understand questions or you are not understood.===
 * || ===Bargaining 101=== ||