About money

As we move closer to our departure, several people have asked about how students should bring spending money. This has gotten far easier recently, but we do have some suggestions.

• Students only need spending money for snacks and shopping. All trip costs, including meals and the occasional gelato, are included. Most students should be fine with $100-$200, depending on how much shopping they plan to do.
• The easiest and safest way to bring money is to get a prepaid credit card through Visa or American Express. You can load money onto the card and students can use them in stores for purchases and at ATMs for cash. They can also be reloaded from home should the need arise.
• Students can also bring traveler's checks. While we're in Rome and Athens, they will be able to use them at stores and exchange them for cash at banks, the American Express offices and exchange stores.
• American bank cards work in Italian and Greek ATMs so some people choose simply to get money this way while they travel. This is easy, but presents the same risks having a bank card at home does (full access to all of your account at any time.) If you do choose this option, please check with your bank that they participate in a network available in Italy and Greece and that your PIN will work in European ATMs.
• You should notify your banks and credit card companies about your travel plans. Many review foreign transactions and will decline charges overseas until they have confirmation that you really are in Europe. They'll note the dates and locations so that they'll know they can approve your charges.

Dr. Hartnett, Ms. McCann, Mr. O'Donnell and I will be there to help students navigate this, but haing a good understanding before they travel about money (how they use it and how much they can spend) is important.