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A N E W S L E T T E R F O R YO U : The college stu d ent wh o wants to learn to do everything better, easier or cheaper :

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Travel Edition Fall 2019

By Jenna Juliano

Captured on top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

Contact Information: Both the content in this newsletter and the design are created by students enrolled in COMM 3310 Copy Editing and Design in the School of Communication at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina during the Spring and Fall semesters under the direction of course instructor Barbara Bullington. We welcome suggestions for article ideas and future issues.

Photo by: Ashley McDonnell

Packing the right way for a month in Europe

For inquires, please email: bullingtonb@ecu.edu.

By Ashley McDonnell This past summer, I participated in a study abroad session through my university. It was the summer of a lifetime. I spent a month traveling across Europe, experiencing many different cultures and learning about the world.

The trip started in Cyprus, which is an island off of Turkey in the Mediterranean, and ended in London, with stops in Paris and Venice in between. Each city that we were going to required different types of clothing so, before the trip began, I was nervous about packing. I tend to be an “over-packer” even for small trips. I knew a month in Europe was going to be difficult. After spending countless hours reading travel blogs and watching packing tutorials, I found that I had been going about packing completely wrong my whole life. I learned a lot after packing for my European adventure. Here are some tips I picked up: Clothes In terms of clothing, I always liked packing options, because you never know what sort of outfit you are going to be in the mood for each day. However, packing for a month does not allow you to bring every single option in your closet. I’ve learned that packing clothing items that you can mix and match is the best. If you bring a lot of patterned tops and bottoms, it is harder to wear those items more than a few Fall 2019 Students How2

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PACKING continued from page 1 times. The outfit gets old, certain tops only match with certain bottoms, etc.

Instead, try packing basics, or things that can go with a bunch of different items. For example, a pair of “momjeans” goes a long way.

I wore my plain blue jeans many times because I could pair them with a variety of items. A plain tee-shirt for a casual look, a statement tank top if you are doing a lot of walking around in the heat, an oversized knit sweater if it’s chilly, or a fancy blouse and some booties for a nice evening out. The options are endless!

You can do the same thing with tops.

Pack more basic, single color tops that you can mix-and-match with different bottoms, and easily change the style. In terms of dresses and jumpsuits, try not to pack too many. Pack your favorites

that you know that you will wear.

Teal Darkenwald, an associate professor at East Carolina University, runs a study abroad session to London and Paris every summer. “Bring lots of layers in a neutral color,” she said. “My standard is always black because it goes with everything and looks appropriate in all city environments. In a warmer climate, a white, tan or denim jacket or light shawl may work. Prepare for the air conditioning indoors because the climate may be super hot outside but the air is freezing.”

Shoes A pair of shoes makes an outfit, so it’s tempting to pack a bunch of options.

The problem is shoes take up space in a suitcase and can add on too much weight. I learned to only pack shoes that

Clothes folded using the KonMari method.

Photo by: Ashley McDonnell

I know I am going to wear, and shoes that are comfortable for a long time.

In general, going on a trip means that you will probably be doing sightseeing, which requires a lot of walking. The cute pair of heels that matches your outfit perfectly are not worth it, trust me. Instead, pack a pair of sneakers that are going to last you through every day. Plain white sneakers can keep an outfit looking nice while also being comfortable.

Folding Most people don’t realize that how you fold your clothes in your suitcase matters. A significant amount of space

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can be saved if you fold correctly. My first tip is to buy packing cubes. These are small, fabric cubes that you can designate for certain items of clothing.

For example, put all of your tops in one cube and all of your bottoms in another.

That way, you do not have to rummage through your suitcase when looking for a specific item.

Courtney D’Angelo is a professional Irish Step Dancer form Dublin, Ohio and spends most of her days travelling the world on tour. “My greatest piece of advice is to organize everything in packing cubes,” she said. “The cubes save so much time and space, helping you to stay organized in all of your travels.” continued on page 5

Fall 2019 Students How2

Hallie Williams, standing on the steps of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Photo by: Katie Winstead

How to: hit the best spots in Paris, France

By Hallie Williams If you are studying abroad and traveling on the weekends, or even backpacking through Europe, here is a perfect “how to” article on hitting the best spots in Paris within two days. Only having two days in Paris can get overwhelming when it comes to what to do, where to go, and how to get there.

Where to Stay I recommend staying in central Paris when having a limited amount of time. This allows you easy access to travelling to sites by foot. One of the best neighborhoods for staying in is the Marais. It is located in the center of Paris and provides a rich sense of culture. The Marais is home to a large Jewish population and also a large gay population. It allows you to see different sides of the city that not many people have the chance to see. It is also located right near Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum.

Fall 2019 Students How2

Notre Dame Notre Dame, also known as NotreDame de Paris, is a Catholic cathedral that is considered to be the most famous Gothic cathedral from the Middle Ages because of its size and its architecture, according to brittanica.com. Notre Dame is located in the heart of Paris, the “Latin Quarter.” Notre Dame is an important monument for France because it has been standing throughout different stages of French history, including the crusades, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era and both World Wars.

Louvre Museum Walking distance from Notre Dame is the Louvre Museum, also known as Musée du Louvre. It has one of the largest collections of art in the world, including art from Ancient Egypt

including Zara, Chanel and Adidas.

It also has cafés and restaurants to enjoy a nice meal at lunch time while taking a break from shopping.

Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is the next spot on my list of places to go. This is one of my favorite places in Paris. It is touristy; however, it is a wonderful place to have picnics and take pictures of yourself and friends. Jenna Juliano, a student at East Carolina University, said her favorite part of visiting Paris during her study abroad was “sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower while watching the sunset.”

Sacré-Coeur Basilica The last monument I recommend visiting is the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

It is located on the top of the hill in the beautiful neighborhood of Montmartre. I recommend taking a big chunk of the day to visit because it is farther out than the other monuments. To get to Sacré-Coeur, you need to take the metro. After arriving in Montmartre, you will see that there still is a ways to go to get to the Basilica. You need to walk up the hill to get to the entrance of SacréCoeur. Once you wander through the

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Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy in March 2019. with train tickets, and bus or tram tickets.

If you want to eat at a famous restaurant in the city, I recommend making reservations early. If you are planning weekend trips to different places, make sure it won’t ruin your budget. I booked with Airbnb to find cheap apartments or hotels to stay in. You can find some as low as $40 a night, and if you split with friends it’s even cheaper. Planning out your trip can be very stressful if you’re rushing it, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

Photo by: Alexa Giacona

How to study abroad on a student budget

By Emmersyn Ruhmke

Ich habe 400-euro für zwei woche im Berlin. Didn’t understand that? Unless you know some German probably not. Studying abroad can be stressful, especially if you don’t know the native language. It can be overwhelming if you didn’t save up as much money as you thought you would. There are plenty of things to do before and during your trip that can help put your mind at ease. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through a foreign country on a budget.

Work and Plan Months before you go on your trip make sure you’re saving money because traveling is expensive. I de-cluttered my closet and sold old clothes, worked extra hours at my job, and did other tiny side jobs like walking dogs or babysitting.

“I saved up so I would have $150 a week to spend on fun, and food…It was enough for me,” study abroad Berlin 2019 East Carolina University student Arianna Ford, said.

You can order the currency of the country you’re going to ahead of time through your bank if they have this service available. You don’t have an exchange rate when doing this, which can save you a lot of money. Having extra money is always a good idea in case you run out or have an emergency.

Planning out your trip early is a key way to save money. Look up activities you’re interested in, transit details, food expenses and how much they all cost.

Book activities early to ensure you’re getting the cheapest flights, do the same

Everyday Language “I came to Berlin and knew no German.

Although I was taking classes it was still hard to figure out what people were saying,” study abroad Berlin 2019, East Caroline University student John Kerr said. Using apps like Duolingo and dictionaries can help you learn basic everyday language to help you travel through the city. It’s a good idea learn how to ask for directions, order food (and coffee), etc.

You can look this wording up as you go through your trip as well. Google Translate doesn’t always translate correctly and may make you sound crazy. It’s better to use other sources to translate correctly.

I downloaded the “German Phrase Book

by Language learning university” when I went to Germany, which covered 1,000 different phrases in eating, shopping, traveling, and more. There are books like this is in many different languages to help suit your needs as you travel.

In the City Once you get to your city, you’ll want to exchange your money in the airport to get the best exchange rate. Understand that the rate could be bad at the time and you’d be getting 80 euros for your $100 bill. This is why it is best to get your money through the bank early. In Germany a

Emmersyn Ruhmke poses in front of the TV Tower in Berlin, Germany.

Photo by: John Kerr

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Fall 2019 Students How2

lot of people didn’t use credit and debit cards, which was different from America. Cash was the main use of currency, and using a card was a hassle. Always have some amount of cash on you.

To navigate the city, I used Google Maps to understand the transit. It tells you when busses or trains are coming and which train you need to get on. If you don’t understand where you’re going, this is where your language book comes in. It is best to be prepared to get lost. I got lost my first day. Phone service doesn’t always work, and this is why you need to know some basics in the language so you can find your way.

Ruhmke recommends giving yourself plenty of time to plan your trip.

Photo by: Emmersyn Ruhmke

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PACKING continued from page 2

ornate church, take a tour through the Place de Tertre. This square is home to many artists who come during the spring, summer and fall to paint and sell their art.

Even though Paris is a grand city, don’t get stressed out about where to go and what to see. The French live a lifestyle of being in the moment Find a cute café, sip on some coffee and enjoy your time in Paris.

In terms of folding, the KonMari folding technique is the best way to optimize space in your suitcase. This folding method has more clothes standing upright, rather than laying flat, in order to decrease wrinkles and create more space. This upright method also allows you to see every clothing item that you have packed, making

it easier to find exactly what item that you need.

Following these simple packing tricks and strategies will help you optimize space in your suitcase, while staying organized during all of your travels abroad!

HOW TO AVOID JET LAG

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1 Tip

Try to take overnight planes.

: 2 p Ti

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Try to sleep on the plane.

3 p i T

Hydrate on the plane.

Infographic by Emmersyn Ruhmke Fall 2019 Students How2

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