What is a great good-bye gift for a good friend that is going to study in France for a year?

There are many gifts that might be appropriate:

* specialist dictionary – French and their native language – for their studies

* a book about culture shock and how to overcome it

* a book about local cuisine where you both come from – that he or she does not forget how home tastes

* a CD selected explicitly with tracks that have a special meaning to both of you

* a voucher to go out together when you visit him or her in France

* help packing and home made food while doing so

I agree that a cd would be a good gift. But there are two small gifts that I think would prove more important than any of those I saw listed. First, get her a good journal. Even if she hasn’t been a journal-keeper in the past, keeping a journal of her year abroad will be a great way for her to document her experience. Second, get her a super-small travel alarm clock. She won’t have to worry with any converters and she’ll always have an alarm clock she can toss into her backpack for all the European trekking she’ll be doing. And if she likes peanut butter, send some with her. European peanut butter sucks.

The first thing to do is remember your friend will most likely only be allowed two bags with 50 pounds each — for one whole year! So, I suggest you get her something small.

The scrapbook idea is great, but consider putting one on CD or DVD instead (especially if she’s taking a computer with her). You might also get her a phone card. Depending upon your budget (and if she already had one) a small digital camera (or cards for the one she already has) would be a GREAT idea!

I would not give her anything French…since he or she will probobly be surrounded by all of that stuff. I would make my friend a scrapbook…to remember all of the good memories you guys had for a while. That person will get home sick sometime within the year…so that will help bring her home and feel closer to you all…especially with lots of pictures. I gave my friend one and she loves it. Fill it up with lots of inside jokes too….so he or she will feel understood by someone if they feel lost in another country for that year.

I live in France.You may get your friend an intensive English-French language book for beginners.This would greatly help her in quickly getting to know some basic expressions,salutations and about french culture.You may also get your friend an electronic dictionary.

Zagets guide to restaurants in France, a book on what to do while in France and a phone card so she/he can use it to call and chat.

a cut n sweet college bag