Tip of the day: Traveling bag!

I suggest for shabbos, trips, and any other times you go away to bring a knapsack for traveling. The one thing hopefully you'll learn in isreal is how to pack light. You go away every shabbos and it's annoying to shlep tons of things around with you. Pack everything in a knapsack it's the easiest especially when traveling. Also if you think it's weird it's not everyone in isreal walks around with knapsacks so it's not a big deal!

Tip of the day: credit cards

Bring a credit card/debt card it's the best way to pay for things in isreal. Exchanging money can be a hassle! The only time you really need to pay with cash is when paying for a bus. You will get a rav kav which is a metro card. (Your school will explain to you about that) 

Good luck! 

tip of the day: SEFARIM

Heyy! Sorry I didn't post in the past few days. 

So my tip for the day is to buy all your sefarim in Israel. Firstly, its the same price as the ones you would buy here. Secondly, it will way less in your suitcase if you do.

Also, most seminaries have sefarim that they rent out for the year which is very cheap.

Bring your machzorim for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Succos. If you have a small one its best to bring that. 

Tip of the day: SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

1. DO NOT BRING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FROM HOME! The water in Isreal is different from the water here. The shampoo and conditioner in America are fit for American water. It will ruin your hair to use these products in Isreal.

2. When buying shampoo and conditioner in Israel you will find that they have some American products that are made for Isreal. If you are looking to save money stay away from those products. Each bottle costs around 40 sheck which is around 10 dollars. I made the mistake when i first got there and bought head and shoulders conditioner and shampoo. I spent $20 which is a crazy amount. Stick to the Israeli brands, they are good and not costly at all! I bought shampoo for 12 sheck which is around $3. It is worth it and a normal price for those products. 

I hope you take my advice and learn from MY mistakes. Good Luck!

Tip of the Day: CONVERTERS AND EXTENSION CORD!!

REMEMBER REMEMBER REMEMBER 

BRING ALOT OF CONVERTORS FOR YOUR PLUGS!! IF YOU BRING AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY THAT REQUIRES AMERICAN OUTLETS MAKE SURE TO BRING A CONVERTER OR ELSE YOU CAN NOT USE YOUR ITEMS!

Be careful when bringing irons and blowdryers that they are able to hold Israeli electricity voltage, because if not your things will blow up! Trust me on that! It happened to my blow dryer. I turned on my blow dryer and fire started shooting out of it! It was really scary, take my word for this one!

Most of the time girls won't have enough outlets to my advice is to bring a small extension cord so you can have more room to plug things in.

If you have any questions or comments leave them bellow, or email me at seminaryguide@gmail.com also if you have any topics you would like to know about please let me know!!

Tip of the Day: SHABBOS CLOTHING

I've seen many girls bring a lot of shabbos clothing to seminary and come to seminary and realize it's unnecessary. There are many reasons why you should limit the amount of shabbos clothing you bring.

1. CLOSET SPACE IS LIMITED! When I say that I mean it! You have a very small amount of hanging space for all your shabbos clothing and any other hanging clothing. 
2. DONT BRING FANCY, EXPENSIVE OUTFITS! Firstly, things you bring to Israel easily get lost. You are living a room with one or more people, in a dorm or in an apartment things are bound to get lost. Secondly, clothing easily gets ruined. You don't want to bring that outfit you got for your cousin's bar mitzvah and freak out when it gets ripped. It's not worth it!
3. If you read my last post about heels you will see I said the same thing there. You are going to people's home for shabbos who don't necessarily have a lot of money or they just aren't fancy people. It wouldn't be appropriate to come all fancied up. Obviously, dress nice but you don't need to impress anyone and you and everyone else around you will feel much more comfortable if you don't dress to fancy.
4. Practically every shabbos you are going to different places with different people. No one is going to see you where the same outfit twice in a row. Even if you go away with the same friends every week, it is okay because everyone is wearing their clothing over and over again.You are not the only one! 
5. I would say to bring three outfits that are more summery, and three outfits that are wintery. Again this is just my opinion take it how you'd like. 

I hope this post was helpful!! Comment bellow with your feedback and questions! Or email me at seminaryguide@gmail.com 

Tip of the Day: HEELS

For all you girls who plan on bringing heels to seminary, you might want to think again. Unless you have a Simcha you know about in Israel, don't bring heels.

Firstly, especially if your seminary is in Yerushalayim, the sidewalks there are stone and it is murderous to walk in heels. 

Secondly, when going away for shabbos you probably shouldn't be wearing fancy outfits that require you wearing heels. A lot of the homes you will be going to won't be the nicest and it wouldn't be so appropriate to come all fancied up. 

Like I said before, unless you know you have some fancy event to attend or a Simcha, it's best to leave those heels at home.

PACKING LIST

Just to make this blog as simple as possible I'm going to post the packing list here.
If you have any questions about anything on the list and if you feel I am missing something please leave a comment below or email me ( seminaryguide@gmail.com ) and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible! GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY PACKING:))

SEMINARY PACKING LIST

Clothing:

Every day:

•         Underwear
•         Bras
•         Tights
•         Stockings
•         Knee socks
•         Short socks
•         Tank tops
•         White shells
•         Black shells
•         Slip
•         Pajamas – winter/summer
•         Zip up Sweaters
•         Leggings
•         T-shirts
•         Skirts
•         Long skirts
•         Button down tops
•         Nice sweaters 

Shoes:

•         Shabbos shoes
•         Weekday shoes
•         Water shoes
•         Sneakers
•         Rain boots
•         Uggs/winter boots
•         (heels)
•         Slippers
•         Flip flops

Shabbos:

•         3 summery outfits
•         3 wintery outfits

Misc:

•         Jacket
•         Coat
•         Gloves
•         Hats
•         Scarf
•         Shirt for kriah
•         Garbage clothing
•         Cap
•         Bathing suit
•         Cover up

Toiletries:

•         Deodorant
•         Toothbrush
•         Toothpaste
•         Floss
•         Lenses
•         Lenses solution
•         Glasses
•         Glasses case
•         Tampons
•         Pads
•         Shavers
•         Extra razors
•         Vaseline
•         Tweezers
•         Nail clipper
•         Face wash
•         Safety pins
•         Moisturizer
•         Nail filer
•         Q-tips
•         Toiletry basket
•         Body spray 
•         Medications
•         Motrin

Hair accessories:

•         Thin ponies
•         Thick ponies
•         Bobby pins
•         Hair brush
•         Ironer
•         Blow dryer
•         Wand
•         Clips

Jewelry:

•         Necklaces
•         Earrings
•         Bracelets
•         Bangles
•         Jewelry bag/box  

Bags:

•         Wallet
•         Handbag
•         Knapsack
•         Shabbos bag
•         Laundry bag
•         Laundry mesh bag
•         Toiletry bag
•         Makeup bag

Makeup:

•         Mascara
•         Cover up
•         Eyeliner
•         Powder
•         Makeup remover
•         Nail polish
•         Nail polish remover
•         Lip gloss
•         Lipstick
•         Makeup remover
•     Foundation

Linen/towels:

•         2 sheets
•         2 pillows
•         2 pillow cases
•         1 down blanket
•         2 blanket covers
•         Thin blanket
•         4-5 towels
•         2 hand towels

Technology:

•         Camera
•         Ipod
•         Phone
•         Iron
•         Blowdryer
•         Wand
•         Ipod charger
•         Phone charger
•         Camera charger
•         Recorder
•         Camera sim card
•         AA batteries
•         Flashlight
•         Reading light  
•         External Hard drive
•         Memory cards
•         Converters
•         Extension cord

Extras:

•         Siddur
•         Tehillim
•         Machzorim
•         Hangers
•         Pictures
•         Books
•         Umbrella
•         Sewing kit
•         Glasses kit
•         Passport
•         Hooks