Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff.

Your passport must

• be valid for at least six months after your return.

• match your name and birthday on file with EF.

• have three blank pages available.

A visa may be required for travel depending on where you're traveling and/or your citizenship.

For more information on passports and visas, visit our Passports & Visas help center article.

Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport and any additional travel documents: one to bring with you and one to leave at home.

Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Different airlines have different carry-on policies and checked bag fees, so ensure your bag meets their guidelines by checking your specific airline's baggage policy.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.

• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.

• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Traveler tip: You'll be traveling by train from Berlin to Warsaw, where very limited luggage space is available. With that in mind, we highly recommend a carry-on for your travels.  

Remember to pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need and ideally in a carry-on bag.

To see a full packing list, visit our What to Pack article in the help center.

To get started, here are the essentials:

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too

• Visa—if applicable

• ATM card—call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel

• Purse or small day bag with a zipper

• Converter/adapter for any electronics

• Toiletries

• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*

• Comfortable, casual clothing check the weather before you pack!

• Dressier outfit

• Raincoat and umbrella

• Reusable water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals

• Versatile layers

• A scarf or shawl—required when entering religious sites

• EF’s emergency numbers

  • Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250

  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

 *All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

The best things in the world are free (like capturing the perfect panoramic photo from Prague's Charles Bridge). Still, a little spending money can go a long way while you're abroad:

• Spending money: Budget $40 to $60 per day for pocket money. This will cover lunch each day, five dinners, souvenirs, and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.

• Currency: We don’t recommend traveling with large sums of cash. At the start of your program, we recommend bringing the equivalent of $60 in the currency of the initial destination. After that, ATMs are the most convenient way to withdraw cash since they accept a wide variety of bank and credit cards.

  • Germany: Euro

  • Poland: Polish Zloty

  • Czech Republic: Czech Crown

Traveler tip: Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account and inform you of any international fees.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today’s challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.

Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to fight jet lag and adjust to any time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:

• Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on for when you land.

• Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.

• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight before.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical and cultural guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You'll spend most of your time abroad learning and exploring, but you should also know what to expect when you settle in for the night.

• Hotels: Our hotel partners absolutely must meet our standards for quality, safety and cleanliness. That means your rooms will be safe, clean, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30–45 minutes from the city center by coach bus or public transit or conveniently located to the sites you'll be visiting, which comes in handy if you want to explore different areas.

• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.

• Rooming: You may share a room with someone from another group if you’re traveling with more than one college or university—which has led to more than a few incredible cross-country friendships. Since hotels vary from city to city, room assignments might also be different from one hotel to the next. Standard accommodations vary based on age. For more information, visit our Rooms & Roommates help center article.

Traveler tip: Electrical outlets in different countries may be different from the ones we're used to. Make sure you research what type of converter and/or adapter is needed for your travels!

You should expect food and portion size to be different than what you're accustomed to at home. Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. Four dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide a pre-set menu that includes 2-3 course plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes. Other dinners and lunches are your opportunity to explore the cuisine as you see fit.

You will experience the culinary traditions of three different countries. All three are known for rich, satisfying foods, sure to keep you full and energized throughout your adventures.

• Pretzels and bratwurst with mustard or sauerkraut are popular throughout Germany.

• For a cheap lunch or late-night snack, try the currywurst in Berlin!

• Poland is the birthplace of bagels and pierogis. Be sure to try both while in Krakow and Warsaw.

• In Prague, try a Trdelnik,  a sweet pastry filled with ice cream – they’re easy to find in the city center.

Traveler tip: When dining out in Prague, stray a few blocks away from the city center to avoid being overcharged for things that might typically be complementary like condiments and table water. 

Here's how you'll get around to make the most of your travels.

• Flights: Overnight to Berlin and home from Prague.

• Train: From Berlin to Warsaw.

• Bus: Main mode of transportation on the ground.

• Public transportation: Public transportation passes are included in Berlin and Prague and will be the main mode of transportation for included activities and exploration time.

• Walking: Hands down the best way to explore a new city. Be ready to walk a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) to see as much as possible. 

You will explore more than four cities in eleven days, so this program will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening (or later if you’re feeling adventurous). Most days will be a combination of planned activities and exploration time with some days being busier than others. You'll have a mix of time on the bus, public transportation, train, and walking to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 2-3 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Transfer days can mean long bus rides where you can rest and recharge. Just be ready to hit the ground running in each new place.

Traveler tip: Arrival day will feel like the longest day on your program, we recommend sleeping on the plane as much as possible to be ready to hit the ground running.

Exploration time can vary depending on a few factors: the number of planned activities, whether or not your group has decided to add any optional excursions, and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your exploration time is entirely up to you. You could sit in a café and people-watch, grab a few friends and discover a new part of the city, or do some souvenir shopping. On busier days, you might just have enough exploration time for a quick lunch.

Here is a rough breakdown of exploration time on your itinerary:

• Berlin: Half day

• Krakow: Half day

There is so much to see and do, so do some research and plan ahead. If you need inspiration, here are our exploration time suggestions:

• Explore the mural-covered remains of the Berlin Wall at the Eastside Gallery

• Visit a brewery in Krakow

• Visit Schindler’s Factory museum in Krakow

Traveler tip: Renting a bike is a great way to explore Berlin. If the busy city streets make you nervous, there is a lot of green space and parks with bike paths to choose from.

Do learn common words and phrases: 

• Guten Tag = Good morning

• Hallo = Hello

• Gute nacht = Goodnight

• Danke = Thank you

Germans are known for being hardworking, punctual and direct. Be mindful of being on time for scheduled activities, meals and meet-up times communicated by your Field Director.

Don’t be surprised if a stranger asks to share tables with you in public. They may ask, “Ist dieser Platz noch frei?” (“Is this seat free?”)

Do not cross the road on foot while the lights are red. Jaywalking is frowned upon in Germany. It is also frowned upon to walk in the bike lanes. 

If you visit multiple cities in Germany, you may notice a stark difference between the East and the West. After World War II, the country was split into “East Germany” and “West Germany” until 1990, when the states were unified. It’s acknowledged throughout the country through statues, museums, plaques, and memorials.

Tipping is expected in Germany, but the amount is not as high as in some other countries. 5-10% is customary in restaurants, and you should leave the tip directly with the server when paying the bill. In cafes or bars rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appropriate.

Poland is a country with thousand-year history and has maintained strong bonds to traditions, despite the effects of World War II. Be mindful of bringing up history and politics as people may be sensitive to these topics.

The Polish can speak quite matter-of-factly and are generally comfortable with directness.

Lateness can be a sign of bad manners or carelessness. People are expected to be punctual in professional and social situations. Be mindful of being on time for scheduled activities, meals and meet-up times communicated by your Field Director.

Tipping is customary in Poland, though not as high as in some other countries. In restaurants, it is common to leave 10-15% tip if the service is good. If service is included in the bill, a small additional tip is appreciated but not expected. 

Czech people value direct communication, friendliness and modesty.

It is common for people to say hello and goodbye to strangers in various situations; such as entering/exiting a shop or in an elevator.

The Czech Republic has a rich history, including its time under communism, World War II, and its transition to democracy. It's essential to be respectful when discussing sensitive topics like politics and history.

Tipping is customary in restaurants but not mandatory. At tip of 5-10% of the bill is appreciated, and it's customary to give it directly to the server.