The Lynchburg Sister City-Plus would like to welcome you to our wonderful city located in the heart of the State of Virginia. We are looking forward to your upcoming visit and are planning a truly American experience for you to enjoy.  Lynchburg has many interesting historical sites and is within 4 hours of Washington, D C, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, the first permanent settlement in this great country. We are near the Natural Bridge listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World where you can see George Washington’s initials carved on the walls.  Just beyond the bridge is an authentic Native American camp site.  Charlottesville, Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson lived and built the University of Virginia, is only an hour away .  His summer home, Poplar Forest, is located right here in the Lynchburg area.  Thomas Jefferson called Lynchburg the “most interesting spot in the state.”  Appomattox, Virginia is a mere 30 minutes away.  The Civil War or War Between the States ended here when General Lee signed the surrender to General Grant.  The National D-Day memorial is located in Bedford, Virginia.  It was located here because more Bedford soldiers per capita died on the beaches of Normandy during the World War II invasion of Europe than any other place in America.  This is also only 20 minutes from Lynchburg.  To the west lies the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Built in the Great Depression, this scenic drive crosses the top of the Appalachian Mountain Range and is visited by people from all over the world.  Here the mountains are called the Blue Ridge because of their beautiful shade of blue.  Northwest of Lynchburg lies the Shenandoah Valley which has a frontier museum featuring life-sized homesteads built by early American settlers including Germans, Englishmen, French and Scots.  These are only a few of the things you may experience and learn more about while you are here.  We encourage you to Google all these sites and let your chaperone know if there are things you would particularly like to see.  Please read all the material in this publication and ask questions if you are unclear on what to expect from this visit.  Keep in mind this is a group trip and decisions will be made to benefit the group.  We look forward to meeting you and showing you your Sister City of Lynchburg, Virgina, USA.

Websites:

www.lynchburgonline.com
www.washington.org/
www.williamsburg.com/
www.historyisfun.org/
www.naturalbridgeva.com/native_american_village.htm
www.monticello.org/visit/index.html
www.virginia.edu/
www.poplarforest.org/
www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm

www.dday.org/
www.blueridgeparkway.org/www.frontiermuseum.org/

Hier einige Tipps und Hinweise, die insbesondere bei Studienreisen von Schülern bei Unterbringung in einer amerikanischen Gastfamilie Beachtung finden sollten!

Culture:

• There are differences between cultures and that experience is part of the exchange.

• Most American teens use social networking:  Facebook seems to be the preferred method.

• American teens do not typically walk about town late at night.  They use transportation to get where they need to go.
• American parents appreciate being consulted before teens make separate plans.
• The smoking age in America is 18.
• The drinking age for alcohol in America is 21.
• American teens can become a licensed driver at age 16.

Host Family:

• Early communication with your host family is very important.
• We make every effort to match you with an American student who shares some of the same interest as you.
• Do you have allergies to pets?
• Let your host family know in advance if you have certain health or food restrictions.

Housing:

• You will have a bed to yourself.  If you need an extra blanket or pillow, just ask your host.
• You may share a bathroom with other family members.  You may shower as often as needed.  Your host family will provide towels and wash cloths.
• Your host family will have a washing machine and dryer for your use.  If you need laundry done don’t hesitate to ask.
• You will need to bring your own adaptor to allow charging of electronics and personal small appliances to function.
• Your host family will allow you to use their computer to email your family.
• Past experience has shown that students who call home frequently suffer from home-sickness more often than those students who do not call home often.  If you choose to bring an International cell phone, please be courteous and limit your calls to times other than meals and planned activities.

Pets:

• Most American families have pets.  Let your host family know if you have any issues with pets.

Meals:

• Many meals will be provided by your host family.  The food will be different from what you have in your country, but this is part of your experience.  Keep an open mind and politely let your host know what you like or don’t like in a gracious way.
• Typical American teens eat cereal for breakfast on school days and pack their lunch before school.
• You may need to purchase some meals when you are out shopping, sightseeing, or at an entertainment venue.  Budget some of your money for meals.  Expect to pay around $4-$7 for a fast food meal.  If you are in a moderate priced restaurant you may pay $8-$10 for a meal.  If you cannot afford to buy extra meals you can pack a lunch in advance.

Trips:

• Sister City may offer to provide educational trips such as historic sites at no cost to you.
• There may be optional tours, entertainment, activities, and transportation that you will be expected to pay for.

Money:

• You should bring American cash or make currency exchange in the larger airport you travel through.  The banks in Lynchburg do not exchange Euros for American Dollars at the counter.
• Expect to budget your money for some meals throughout your stay.
• Expect to budget your money for some tours, entertainment, activities, souvenirs and possible transportation.
• Most international teens enjoy shopping here in America.  You will find the prices to be reasonable and the shopping plentiful.

Transportation:

• You will be flying into one of the large airports in America.  You will go through customs in the American airport and then take another flight or train to Lynchburg.  Do not bring alcohol, tobacco products, fresh fruit, meat or plants.  You may not take drinks through security, but you may purchase drinks after you go through security and those may be taken on the flight.
• You will be responsible for the cost of your transportation to and from Lynchburg at the beginning and end of your trip.
• There may be some optional day trips where you will be expected to help pay for transportation.
• Transportation to and from school will be handled by your host family.
• Transportation to and from most educational activities will be handled by carpooling.  Most host families work together in getting students to and from activities.

Faith/Religion:

• Many American families attend church on a regular basis.
• Let your host family know your feelings toward church attendance.
• If you choose not to attend other arrangements can be made for that time.

Additional Information:

• Please consult this web-site for up-dated information concerning permitted and prohibited items on flights.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Beth Dunn hat einige entscheidende Artikel geschrieben, die insbesondere bei Schüler-, Studien- und Gruppenreisen Verwendung finden sollten.
Auch wer erstmals privat in die USA reist, findet hier nützliche Anregungen.

PACKING LIST

In deciding what to pack there are three helpful general guidelines.  First, try to pack only what is essential.  Many people tend to bring more than they will need.  Second, you will have to carry whatever you bring along, so if you can’t carry your bags the length of a football field, then you’ve probably packed too much.  Third, if you are concerned about the security of any item you might take along, a good rule to follow is that if you can’t afford to replace it, don’t bring it.

This list is not all-inclusive, nor is it necessary to bring all the items on the list.  It is intended to give you an idea of what items to consider when planning your trip.  Consider packing your most essential items, such as a change of clothing, medication and tooth brush, in your carry-on bag in the event your checked luggage gets lost.

General Items:

⇒  Passport with visa (carry photo copy of passport) – make two copies of your passport, one to leave in a safe place at home and one to place in your checked bag

⇒  International Certificate of Vaccination if required

⇒  1 or 2 pieces of luggage

An International Certificate of Vaccination may be required for entry into the United States of America.  Each traveler’s certificate is examined before they are allowed to leave the immigration and customs area.  You can obtain the Certificate at clinics specializing in international travel.

Suggested Health Related Items

⇒  Extra pair of eye glasses/contact lenses & prescription

⇒  Prescription medicine (in original containers)

⇒  Vitamins

⇒  Diarrhea medicine

⇒  Allergy medicine

⇒  Headache medicine

⇒  Tooth Brush & Tooth Paste

⇒  Personal hygiene products

For any item requiring a prescription (medicine, eyeglasses, etc.) bring a copy of the prescription so it can be replaced if lost.  Ask your doctor for the generic name of your medications.

Clothing

Guys: Pants, collared shirt, tasteful t-shirts, jeans, cargo shorts, sneakers, swim suit, jacket or sweatshirt

Girls: Pants, skirts, t-shirts, sneakers, swim suit, jacket or sweatshirt

You may find the temperatures warmer than in Europe.  Check with your host before events to know what clothing is appropriate for the day.  You will walk a lot, take comfortable shoes.

Miscellaneous:

⇒  Travel alarm clock – optional

⇒  Journal/note book

⇒  Camera, USB cord for downloading photos and charging camera

⇒  Pens

⇒  Reading material

⇒  Pictures, postcards and maps of your home area

⇒  iPod and/or MP3 players

⇒  Emergency contact numbers/ personal information form