Travel Guidelines

Many interns ask for some additional guidelines on travel... This is what is sent with the DS 2019 information:

AFTER GETTING VISA, MAKE YOUR PLANE RESERVATIONS TO CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT.

Make your plane reservations to Chicago O'Hare Airport. Arrive at any time during the day of the first day of your orientation(see dates section). Remember that Chicago has two airports: Midway and Chicago O'Hare. The bigger one is Chicago O'Hare. ONLY ARRIVE INTO CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT!

Send The Global Cow your COMPLETE itinerary. It should look something like this:

12.40 Leaving Madrid on Iberia 452
13.30 Arriving Chicago O'Hare

15.30 Leaving Chicago O'Hare on Rockford-O'Hare Bus to Rockford
16:55 Arriving Rockford, Illinois

AT O'HARE AIRPORT:

• In O'Hare, you will walk to the bus terminal. Follow the red lines and ask for directions in the airport. The bus terminal is located at Chicago O'Hare airport.
• Take the Van Galder Bus from O'Hare to Rockford.
• As you get on the bus, tell the bus driver that you need to get off at the Quality Suites.
• The bus will take you to the terminal, and you will need to walk from there to the Quality Suites. It is about a two minute walk.
• The bus costs approximately $16 one-way. See Van Galder's website for more information.

WHAT TO BRING

• Clothing appropriate for temperatures from -40 C to 40 C. If you are from a warm climate, do NOT buy winter clothing in your country. You can find clothing more appropriate for the cold in this country, and you'll find better prices for it in the United States as well. Also, sometimes hosts have winter clothing from other interns or family members that you can use.
• Clothing for work–like jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. You'll be getting dirty! Be prepared!
• Clothing for church, social events, non-farm events.
• Shoes for social events.
• Photos, magazines, maps to show people where you are from and what life is like back home.
• Music from your country on CD or tapes.
• English dictionary (or buy one in the United States).

ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

Day 1: Arrival. Orientation includes lunch at 12 noon for anyone who is there, and supper at 6 p.m. for anyone who is there.

Day 2: Orientation discussions.

Day 3: Laundry! Purchase of bus tickets.

Day 4: Leave for farms. In September/October orientation, the last day is World Dairy Expo.

TRAVEL TO HOST FARM

We will usually purchase bus tickets for you one week before orientation, so that you receive the best possible price. To check on bus ticket prices yourself, check prices on Greyhound's website. If you want to go by plane, you need to make those arrangements on your own. Remember that ticket prices are highest the closest to the date of travel in the United States. For example, a ticket may cost $200 three weeks before travel; $300 two weeks before travel; $500 one week before travel; $700 three days before travel; $1000 the day of travel. To check prices for train, check Amtrak's website. To check prices for flights, try kayak.com

REMEMBER! Bring photos of your farm, friends, family, etc. at home to share with the other interns at orientation. Also bring music, special clothing, cultural items, or anything else you'd like to show others about your country.