1. Banking. Find a US bank and debit card that has zero foreign transaction fees, zero ATM fees, and no minimum balance. We did a Schwab Checking account. I think Capital One also has an account.
Addition from AM: Barclay's credit card also has NO foreign transaction fees and is safer to use than cash. My kids put their ravkav [bus pass / smartcard] on that card and it counts for their travel points so you can deduct the rewards from your bill (if transaction is over $25), so bus travel is actually free.
2. Spending Money. Ya, they need even more money. We give $200/month, but other parents are giving $250 or even $300. We want her to use her own savings if she needs more money.
3. Cell Phone. We got together with a friend and did the Golan Telecom plan that was 28NIS/month and at the time was 10 for an additional line, and we split it in half. Then we realized 6GB wasn't enough so we upgraded to 15GB. Go for the 15GB plan from the start. When we share it, it's like $9/month each of us (compare with your USA plan!!). And I don't want my daughter to tell me she can't video call me because she's out of data. Speaking of which...
4. Communication. Whatsapp. That's all you need. Texting, voice and video calls. Quality is excellent. The only time we don't use Whatsapp is for group video calls (Facebook Messenger), or when we use our call forwarding number from misparchinam.com. It is a local Israeli landline number starting with 072. When she calls, it forwards to my cell phone. Incoming calls are totally free. Seriously, no advertising or anything. Outgoing calls require a paid calling plan but you can do just the incoming side alone. And still... all you need is Whatsapp.
5. The Group Flight. For the outbound side, the group flight has a lot going for it. The sendoff is a whole thing with all the parents and the kids. They get to travel together and socialize. Don't underestimate the benefit of 2 checked bags. You will use it and you will max out the weight (Tip: if your carry on is overweight, parents hold onto the heaviest stuff while they weigh it, then repack it after check in). The prospect of them being met in Israel and getting ground transportation when they are tired and drained is a comfort. The open ticket has some convenience. However, I am currently booking the return and I'm finding a few snags: She has to fly back to a New York airport. We want her to fly all the way to DC. We will have to book that leg separately, with 2 heavy bags to check with fees. Amtrak may be the way to go. Outcome TBD.
Another idea is to independently book them (maybe one way ticket?) on the group flight. They'll be with the others, and probably same access to group ground transportation, but you'll have your own flexibility with the return.
6. Luggage. Two suitcases, a roller carry on and a backpack is nothing. If at all possible, try to borrow bedding and towels from friends/family in Israel. If you are planning an Israel trip between now and fall, bring a suitcase or two to store there with linens and/or winter clothes and supplies. If you visit Israel next spring, bring winter stuff back with you.
7. Medicine. Credit to my friend (D) who taught me to send her with a medical kit: basic first aid supplies and any medicines one might need for various colds, headaches, common ailments. Maybe even a course of antibiotics to have on hand.
8. Making Friends. I found this among many of my friends' kids, for some reason (many reasons) it takes a while to get adjusted. I'm not even talking about homesickness, which many of them don't have. I'm talking about living relatively independently, finding good-fitting friends, the first time you get sick away from home, etc. I wish someone would have told us not to worry if it takes even the first 2 months until they have nice good solid friendships forming. Hang in there.
Other tips? Send it to me and I might add it.
First addition (anonymized)
The biggest one we had was that {daughter} bought so much stuff form girls at {seminary} from the previous year and I didn't worry about the money because she will just sell it to the next class. They have a big machsan, everything was labelled and she was able to get it when she got there. (Easier than leaving it with family or friends and then have to get it). She did this with all linens plus a rolling set of drawers, refrigerator, kitchen utensils etc.
Last year there was a big {seminary} marketplace where the class put things for sale online to the girls coming in. First she bought stuff from {local friend} and I know she plans to sell to the next {local school} girl but then the marketplace was open and people bought from everyone. The head of the program said she never saw it so organized but I think that's the wave of the future.
Part of me thinks its a shame not to save it for {younger daughter} in a few years, but I figure we will just do it again!
The other hint is one I am trying now: {daughter} is eligible to bring two bags home (we have given up and will just pick her up at 5:40 am in New York) a third bag is expensive-- its a little cheaper to find someone coming home for Pesach and add a second bag to their trip. And I have no doubt she will have three bags worth of stuff. Pesach is a good time to send home the winter stuff (once she comes bag form Poland, she should be able to send that stuff back)
The last thing is not to send books or sefarim-- cheaper to buy them in Israel than pay for their weight, unless its a special book. Lots of used bookstores for novels etc. and definitely seforim stores there. Unless you want English-Hebrew books- those are hard to find. Especally English -Hebrew machzorim. {Daughter} brought hers and sent them back with someone after Sukot.
Money Saving Reminders (Lisa)
Suspend your child's USA cell phone account for the year and take them off your car insurance. Huge savings.
From NDW
I have more tips for your after high school blog
Rain: it rains and they need rain boots- can be bought online /Amazon for 30$
Cold: ugg boots or similar really kept my daughters feet warm. It gets cold.
Nugo/kind/granola: daughter really ended up eating them - it takes time to get used to the food.
Mousse- she didn't pack any and couldn't find any to buy. We ended up sending her in a package.
All other toiletries - she was able to find
I second the Charles Schwab account and card-
It's free and they have access to Israeli money at all times. You can add money to the card as needed.
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