I have a kid studying abroad this summer she is 21 and headed to Italy for the program , then spending extra weeks traveling till the return home

I have to admit that I know nothing about EU my brother did a semester abroad but that was a few years ago and he had an apartment that was his base of operations.

my parents go every few years but face it they don't travel like a 21 year old college student
they take tours and everything is very much planned

also all my travel outside canoe or backpack trips when I was younger is very American midwestern in nature , I pack the truck/van and maybe boat and that is my base of operations.

she will have to haul everything with after leaving the 1 month for the program that comes with lodging then then 2 more weeks of travel.

my first question is would you go traditional luggage like a rectangular suitcase or back pack. I am encouraging them to really trim down what they bring for clothing make it comfortable but not bulky

I move them home from college this week then we need to get on luggage or pack and everything they will bring and then they need to take it for a walk probably a mile for a test.

they don't have a car and live in Milwaukee so they are a frequent bus user

my wife is nervous , I told her we where married with a kid on the way at 21 so it is all part of growing up we can help her get ready but on that day all we can do is drop her at the air port and let them be them.
we can't run over and get them but we can adjust flights home if needed or they can ditch their extra cloths and buy new stuff later if they found they brought to much.

any advice I know a few of you are in the EU some of you from there.

Many Americans Travelling abroad will wear little Canadian flags on their clothing,backpacks etc,and Identify as Canadians in public.
They get a much friendlier respnse from foreigners by doing so.