CAMPUS ADVENTISTE DU SALÈVE

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

Packing up your life and moving to another country for a year can be a daunting and even scary experience. However, it can also be a very exciting and fun adventure.

You are about to embark on an adventure at Campus Adventiste du Salève. Most of this adventure involves figuring out some things on your own and experiencing mishaps, but we decided to give you some packing guidelines and some helpful hints that we hope will make the start of your adventure more enjoyable and a little less stressful.

Think of it as a set of guidelines or suggestions, not rules. Enjoy and don't be afraid to try new things, have crazy adventures, and learn French!

From,Returned ACA students who know what you will be going through

DEAR FUTURE ACA FRANCE STUDENT,

CHURCH CLOTHES There is a church on campus. Friday services are usually casual, while Sabbath services are usually more formal. You can dress how you wish, but you should be respectful.

ATHLETIC CLOTHES There are sports activities, a gymnasium and a workout room on campus.

SWIMSUITOn your trip to the South of France and to Annecy, there are opportunities to swim.

DRESS CODEThere is a dress code. Make sure you dress modestly and respectfully.

THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES

WINTER CLOTHESIt will be cold during the winter, and there will be snow. You will be in some of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges (the Alps). Bring warm clothes, a rain jacket and a snow jacket.

SUMMER CLOTHESYou also need to bring summer clothes. It will be hot outside when you arrive and when you leave.

THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES

Students at the top of the Salève.

January February March April May June

29-40 30-43 34-52 40-58 48-67 54-74

July August September October November December

57-79 57-78 51-69 45-59 36-47 32-41

Average Low and High Temperatures in Geneva, France(˚F)

Walking shoes: You will do a lot of walking during your year in Europe. Collonges is a village situated in the Alps. You will need to walk on a steep road to go into town or to Geneva. The road is steep, but it is paved, so comfortable shoes are recommended. There are a lot of trips as well, and you will be walking most of the time.

Flip-flops: You will definitely want these for the showers in hostels or even on campus. Keep in mind that men have community showers in the dorms whereas the women have their own bathroom in their room.

You can enjoy a beautiful view like this.

THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES

BIBLE

The university will give you a French Bible, but you may want to bring a Bible in

your own language. It is also nice to have a dual-language Bible, but you should

buy it before you go abroad.

JOURNAL

You’ll want this to keep track of your memories. You can also keep a photo journal

of your experiences, or start a blog online.

THE ESSENTIALS: SCHOOL

BRING A COMPUTER AND/OR A WI-FI DEVICE WITH A WEBCAMSkype is one of the most convenient ways to communicate with friends and family in the U.S. However, the Wi-Fi is not consistent, and tends to work the best in the early hours of the morning, when no one else is using it.

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVEYou should have an extra place to store your pictures and back up your computer in case your computer gets stolen or ruined. It would be a good idea to back up your files online.

CAMERAFrance is full of beauty, and you will want to capture it to show your family and friends back home.

CELL PHONES You have the opportunity to purchase prepaid cell phones that can be used during your stay in Europe. SFR and Orange are popular mobile service providers in France, and their stores can be found in different areas around the region, such as Annecy. If you do your research, you can find the best service providers to fit your budget and the kind of coverage you are looking for. Also, you can bring an unlocked smartphone from the US and purchase a SIM card for calling and data.

VOLTAGE CONVERTERThe electric current in Europe is 220 volts. You must use a converter with all of your electronic devices. Keep in mind that converters will be necessary when traveling as well.

THE ESSENTIALS: ELECTRONICS

First aid kit: It is more expensive to buy Tylenol and similar items. Some things can be difficult to find. Bring these items from home.

Hygienic products: There are stores all over Geneva where you can buy soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. However, they cost more there than in the United States. You should bring these essentials from home, but don’t worry about filling your suitcase with these products. There are shampoo and conditioners that can be purchased for 2-3 €.

RECOMMENDED: TOILETRIES

Derek Haas enjoys the beautiful view from the school.

MOVIESBring movies that are dubbed over in French or movies that are originally in French. You’ll have downtime every now and then and watching films is a great way to practice your language skills, especially if they are familiar films to which you already know the words.

REMEMBER YOU ARE THERE TO LEARN FRENCHDo NOT bring lots of English media. You can bring some, but remember, the more French you learn, the better experience you will have.

DEVOTIONAL BOOK IN ENGLISHThis keeps your spirituality accessible and separate from the frustrations of another language.

DEVOTIONAL BOOK IN FRENCHThis will help you connect your spirituality with French and help you learn religious words.

PICTURES FROM HOMEPut them on your dorm room wall! Your roommates and friends will love to see what your family looks like, and the pictures will help with homesickness.

RECOMMENDED: ENTERTAINMENT

MAKEUP AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTSThere are stores all over Geneva where you can buy makeup and feminine care products. However, they are more expensive than the ones in the Unites States. You should bring these essential products from home. For ethnic-specific products, there are stores in Geneva that sell hair products for all hair types. But, like the other products, these are way more expensive. In Geneva, there is a store called Migros. It has everything you need!

FOR THE LADIES

THEFTThere is not much risk of theft at Collonges. However, it is always a good idea to keep your room locked when you are not there.

LAUNDRYThere is a laundry room located on each floor of the women’s dorm. You are expected to purchase your own laundry detergent, but you do not have to pay to use the machines. There are dryers and clotheslines where you can dry your clothes. The men’s dorm is also equipped with washers and dryers.

GOOD TO KNOW: EVERYDAY

COOKINGThere is a kitchen at the bottom of the men’s and women’s dorms where you can cook your own food. You will need to get the key to go into the kitchen. It is kept at the front desk. Keep in mind that, as an ACA student, you are required to be on the meal plan and will eat most of your meals in the cafeteria.

PACKAGESYou will be able to pick up packages at the front desk of the dorms where you will be staying. Keep in mind that there is an extended shipping time.

CHECK YOUR COURSESMake sure you compare your courses with those of your home college and make sure that they will count for something when you get back.

Bring a credit card/debit card: This is a must-have. If you bring a debit card bring a credit card as well, just in case.

Exchanging money: Have some U.S. cash on hand when you arrive at the airport as you will be able to exchange it for euros or Swiss Francs at one of the Money Exchange booths located in the airport. There are also several ATMs at the Geneva airport or in the surrounding areas. It’s a great idea to exchange some money before going overseas. It’s better to have some cash on hand. You will need to exchange some currency upon arriving, but when exchanging money later on in the year, there is a Western Union in Geneva that will give you better rates than the airport.

“Le Beau Soleil” meaning “The Sunshine.”

GOOD TO KNOW: MONEY

http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=EUR&To=USD

PASSPORTSKeep your passport with you at all times while traveling. Do not leave it unattended. It should be kept in a safe place while traveling and during your stay at the dorms in Collonges.

OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTSMake sure you have all your papers when you arrive and when you leave France (visa, birth certificate, etc.). During the year, make sure all documents are stored in an inconspicuous, locked area. Make and keep copies of all important documents.

GOOD TO KNOW: DOCUMENTS

BRING SNACKSNutritious, compact snacks will be useful when traveling.

BACKPACKThe best way to carry your stuff with you when you travel is in a backpack because it stays close to your body and is as mobile as you are. Bring one large enough to fit all your stuff, but also small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage on all flights in Europe. Always check the carry-on restrictions for the airline you are using.

HAND SANITIZER/TOILET PAPERRestrooms may lack these essential items. Make sure to bring them on trips.

STAY IN TWOSMake sure to stay in twos when traveling, especially women. It is safer that way.

TRAVEL TIPS

PACKINGDon’t bring a lot of clothes. Bring just enough so that you will be comfortable. Remember that your roommates may not have very much. You will also need room in your suitcase for all of your awesome souvenirs!

VALUABLESDon't bring a lot of nice, expensive things. Nice clothing may be ruined in the laundry or lost. You also do not want to be perceived as flaunting your fancy clothes and electronics.

BUS TICKETSYou will be able to purchase bus tickets to go into Geneva, Switzerland at the bus station that is located at the bottom of the hill on which the campus is located. Transportation to the bus station is not provided.

TRAVEL TIPS

Hiking is a favorite pastime of many ACA students.

CLOTHES AND SHOES FOR HIKINGThe school is located in a fantastic location for hiking, and you will want to take advantage of that. The Salèveis a gorgeous mountain with incredible views. Take advantage of itbacause you will miss it a lot when you return.

1 Pillow (can request 2)

Comforter

Sheets

Towels

Locked closet for valuables

1 fan is provided during summer months

In this view from a trail in Saleve, lake Geneva can be seen.

WHAT ’S PROVIDED

BE NICE. When needing to talk to advisors, teachers or even peers at the school, it is more likely that they will help if you are nice first. Outside of school, try not to argue with vendors; just smile, disconnect eye contact, and keep walking if you are not interested in their merchandise. Make sure that you learn the culture.

Special tip: In restaurants, it is rude to ask for any changes to be made to the food you are ordering.

BE FRUGAL.Everyone's financial situation is different, but the more money you can hang on to, the more confident you will be when traveling. Always try to find good deals and live cheaply. Occasionally, it is fun to splurge on a nice dinner, show, or clothing item.

TALK TO PEOPLE.One of the best ways to learn about the local culture is by chatting with people on transportation, or in markets. They will have plenty of questions to ask you, too.

HAVE FUN. Remember to be safe and cautious while traveling, but have a good time. These experiences will be once in a lifetime!

ENJOY YOURSELF