Suggested Packing List Fall & Spring Terms

The weather in the Netherlands is similar to Boston, only with more wind and rain. Estimated average temperatures for fall and spring terms range from 30 - 65°F. Winters are cold, with some snow. There may be a month of warm weather when you first arrive in fall, or at the end of spring term. You should keep this in mind when packing.

In general, spring term will start off very cold, from lows of 15°F at the start of the semester to as warm as 70°F by the end of the semester. However, it can get as low as 10°F if you take into account the "wind chill factor". Rainwear is advisable all year long.

World Weather Information Service will give you averages for European cities you want to visit. Please check expected weather conditions to aid with packing needs.

Students can buy their toiletries, linens, and necessities needed for their dorm room at "Everything Under One Roof" in the village of Well.

Packing Tips

• Don’t bring expensive or irreplaceable items that may get lost or damaged - pickpocketing is a big problem in certain countries within Europe.
• Pack all of your prescription medication(s) in your carry-on luggage.
• Space Bags can save valuable space in your luggage - although it will make your luggage heavier
• Bring clothes that make you feel comfortable; you will be wearing them multiple times.
• Take clothes that are easily washed, dry quickly and require minimal ironing
• Think "layers" when packing outfits
• Your clothes and shoes will wear out from travel so think about bringing items you won’t mind discarding at the end of your journey.
• Limit the toiletries! Don't waste valuable luggage space by packing toiletries; you can purchase what you need in Well (unless you have a favorite brand that you can't live without).
• Pack a 3 month supply of prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
• You will end up walking more miles with your luggage than you think you will. Consider this when choosing luggage.
• Leave weight and space in your luggage for souvenirs and other items you will buy in the EU and bring home with you.

Do Not Pack These Items

• A hairdryer, flat iron, electric shaver, etc. - you can buy one in Well that will work throughout the EC. - American hairdryers present a danger of frying castle electrical outlets! (plus you won't have to buy or pack a voltage converter)
• School supplies: you can buy notebooks, etc. in town
• Mugs, dishes, bowls or utensils; the castle has all of these for your use
• A laundry basket; castle staff will give you one to use
• Travel books - OSA has plenty for you to borrow
• Shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, deodorant, body lotions or other common toiletries; you can buy them in Well
• Emerson ID card: you will not need it in Europe; you will have an ISIC card and your passport for ID
• Blankets and pillows will be provided; but note: you can't remove them from your room for traveling
• Laundry soap; castle washing machines provide the soap
• High heels, unless they are very comfortable to walk in
• A U.S. power strip: they often get fried or blow fuses at the castle. If you must have one, you’ll need to purchase it in Well

Packing List: Fall & Spring

View Summer packing suggestions »

• You must have sheets and a pillow cover on your bed on arrival night. So either pack set of bed sheets (twin long) and pillowcases OR buy a set from the Castle Facilities Manager during orientation weekend- the cost will be €25.
• Pack 2 towels and 2 washcloths OR you can buy them at the local store in Well.
• Prescription medications to last you for the semester—be sure to pack them in your carry-on luggage!
• Name brand products you absolutely cannot live without (although you may enjoy discovering new brands in Europe)
• Over-the-counter medications and cold remedies (Advil, Claritin, Immodium, eye drops, nose spray, aspirin, Emergen-C, Airborne, cough medicine, etc.). Dutch doctors don't prescribe medications or antibiotics unless there is no other way to recover. If you get sick, you won't have access to cold/cough, flu medications and the like.
• Several pairs of really good earplugs (castle walls are thin!)
• A money belt or passport holder that can store your valuables when traveling - pickpockets are everywhere in Europe!
• A carry-on bag or backpack (that meets EU airline standards) for weekend travel for carry-on bags; check Ryan Air for details
• A pair of flip flops/shower shoes for showers, public pools – ESSENTIAL FOR HOSTELS
• 1 quick drying travel towel to fit in backpacks for weekend travel; your hostel may not offer towels to guests
• Travel-sized containers you can refill with lotions, shampoos, etc. for weekend travel
• A debit (ATM) card with a VISA or MasterCard logo on the back or front of the card
• A credit card for emergency use in case one of your other cards is lost/destroyed/stolen
• €200 cash for arrival in The Netherlands (you’ll need to pay for the reading materials orientation weekend in euro cash)
• Daypack for traveling around the city
• Camera, an extra camera battery and extra memory cards
• Your laptop
• Eyeglasses and/or contact lenses and your prescription in case you lose one or the other
• Headphones if you plan to listen to music in your room
• Original software disks for your laptop
• Memory stick and a flash drive for your computer
• A voltage converter (but only if absolutely necessary) for small electric appliances
• A European (2 round prongs) adaptor plug and a square peg adaptor plug for Great Britain (3 rectangular prongs)
• PENS - pack a couple - you'll be taking lots of notes in class and laptops aren't usually allowed in castle classes

Essential Clothing List

• 1 warm winter coat or down jacket
• 1 rain poncho (umbrellas sometimes collapse in the extreme rain and wind of the Netherlands) - you can also buy on in the NL
• 1 warm hat, scarf, and gloves
• 3 - 4 long-sleeved shirts
• 5 - 6 tee-shirts or short sleeved shirts
• 2 warm sweaters you can layer over or under
• 2+ pairs of jeans and pants capable of traveling well
• 2 Sweatshirts & sweatpants
• 1–2 pair of sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots (WATERPROOF IS BEST) AND remember you will be walking mostly on cobblestone and brick)
• 1 bathing suit if you are planning to swim , or use the thermal baths in Arcen
• PLENTY of “underthings”
• 2 sets of Pajamas/sleepwear, 1 robe, 1 pair slippers
• PLENTY OF SOCKS (a mix of dark casual, sport, and wool socks)
• 1 Pair of running/exercise shoes (if you plan to run/jog or participate in castle sports night)
• 1 workout outfit if you plan to join the fitness center in Well
• Spring Term
  • 1 lightweight jacket for end of spring term - jacket should be "water-proof and wind-proof"
  • Some lightweight clothes for when it’s warm at end of term
• Fall Term
  • 1 lightweight jacket for beginning of fall term - jacket should be "water-proof and wind-proof"
  • Some lightweight clothes for when it’s warm at the beginning of fall term
  • A Halloween outfit
• For Women
  • 1 semi-dressy outfit for special events
  • 2 skirts or dresses (think end of spring)
  • 2 pairs of tights, jeggings, or leggings
  • a cross-body purse is a good idea
  • a coin purse for storing Euro coins - you'll need to store them
• For Men
  • 1 tie
  • 1 belt
  • 1 pair of dress pants for special events
  • 1 button-down shirt for special events
  • a wallet that has space for Euro coins

Miscellaneous Suggestions

• Luggage locks and 1 small padlock or combination lock (for lockers in the hostels)
• Contact lens solution (it is hard to find this in Europe)
• Gallon–sized Ziploc storage bags (good for storing wet clothes, shampoos, dirty shoes, etc. while traveling)
• Quart–sized Ziploc bags for air travel liquids
• Flexible water bottle
• Nutrient Bars
• If you have a favorite travel pillow, you may want to pack it
• 1 pair of long johns or thermals for colder places you will visit - make sure they are warm, thin and easy to layer under clothing
• 1 fleece zip-up jacket or shell to layer under or over clothes
• A travel flashlight
• A small “sleep sack” for use in youth hostels or on overnight trains
• Luggage locks and 1 small padlock or combination lock (for lockers in the hostels)
• A mini sewing kit
• A Tide-to-go pen