1) DO NOT BRING A HAIR DRYER! There is most likely one in your hotel room for your convenient use (we are confirming this, but in our experience this is standard. Your host family will probably have one as well. You can email them ahead time to ask them!
2) If you MUST bring a curling or straightening iron (or the hair dryer we just told you not to bring), Bring one that is made for travel and is DUAL VOLTAGE. From looking at Target and Walmart online, it looks like there are several options. MAKE SURE IT IS A DUAL VOLTAGE appliance. When in doubt, ask! Then, still read the box or instructions a couple times to make sure. There is also the possibility of using a voltage adapter, but despite our best efforts, it seems like students always try to make this work and run into some sort of trouble. Again, you can ask your hosts if they have what you need.
3) If you are bringing small rechargeable electronics such as a cellphone, iPod, iPad, digital camera, etc. all you will probably need is a PLUG ADAPTER (explained below). Here's how to know for sure. Take a look at the charging plug for your electronic device. It will have a bunch of writing on it. Here is an example of two of my own charging plugs (Click on image to enlarge):
The plug on the left says "Input: AC 120v 60Hz 4W. 120v is what we use here in the US. The UK and Europe use 240v so I cannot use this power supply in Italy and Germany without a LOW WATTAGE or DUAL WATTAGE VOLTAGE adapter (explained below, I promise!). The plug on the right, however, says Input: 100-240v 200mz 50-60Hz. That lets me know that it will work on US voltage AND UK/European voltage. So for that device, all I need is the PLUG ADAPTER! So, look at your small electronics. Most likely all you will need is the plug adapter.
Now for the explanations!
Voltage Adapters/Converter
These come in three types - High Wattage (for devices from about 50w to about 1800w), Low Wattage (for devices less than 50w), and Dual Wattage (which can do both kinds of devices by switching a switch). Small electronics will need the Low or Dual Wattage adapter (set on Low). Using the High Wattage converter with small electronics will cause damage. To use these voltage adapters, you will also need to have the appropriate plug adapters (which are often but not always included).
A quick look on Frys.com turned up the following low wattage adapter for what seems to be a great price (click on top line for link to website):
| 50 Watt Voltage Converter Transforms 220/240 Volts Into 110/120 Volts - VC-50 | |||||
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As of this posting, it is available currently in the store right here in Downers Grove. Note that this adapter does not come with the plug adapters that you will need to plug this into the wall in your hotel room and with your host family. (plug adapter goes into the wall, then the voltage adapter plugs into that, and then your device plugs into the voltage adapter).
Plug Adapters Even if you do not need a voltage adapter/converter you will still need a plug adapter that will change the shape of your US plug to the European plug type. Fry's sells a couple sets of plug adapters for a range of prices. The adapter you need looks like this: 
Here are two sets of adapters that look like they will work (click on the top line of each to get the link. Both are in stock at the Downers Grove Fry's as well.) Then you are ready for future international adventures!
(Note - Despite this first set saying "United Kingdom", it is indeed a set for Europe and the UK)
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