Travel Tip: Additional Packing

Packing- Besides your usual shirts, shorts, pants, sweaters, and jackets, here are some essential MUST-BRINGS for traveling abroad:

1. Comfortable shoes—you will walk everywhere! Think about it—you won’t be showing up for class or a meal via car like you’re used to in the US.
1. For girls- Many of my friends recommended I bring cowboy or leather boots and in the end, I was so glad I did. Also know that with all the little European cobblestone streets, heels are truly not that practical. Think comfort and durability, and the fact that you’ll be wearing the same pairs of shoes over and over—so also make sure you like them!
2. One solid jacket and a lighter option such as a fleece. Also don’t forget a good durable raincoat and umbrella. Some might advise deciding between the two but I really enjoyed having both pieces.
3. 5 t-shirts that will be good for exercise, lounging, and sleeping, but also that you’re not too attached to. Plan to leave them abroad at your journey’s end—that’ll leave extra room in your suitcase, and trust me, the shirts will probably be worn out by the time you depart.
4. Do the same with an old set of sheets and a pillow case. (Obviously this doesn’t apply if a host family provides these for you, or if you’re traveling via hostels/hotels the whole way through).
5. Your pillow from home, or a travel pillow.
6. All the tech stuff you can’t live without—your laptop, camera, iPod, headphones, ever necessary cord and adapter, etc.
7. All the official abroad papers and documents you are required to have during your stay: passport, student visa, health insurance, photo id’s, etc. Consult your school, program, or country’s government for this information.
8. A backpack or large purse for carrying your belongings to class. A small purse or sack for everyday use.
9. A weekend bag that is small enough to carry on for flight purposes- either a small roll-away or over-the-shoulder. This will become a go-to for 3-5 day trips.
10. Other miscellaneous:
1. Earplugs. Depending on where you live and what the street noise/nightlife is like, these can really come in handy.
2. Buy a hairdryer (and/or straightener) when you get over there. If you are living with other Americans, you and a girlfriend can even go in on this to split the cost.
3. Sunglasses, a hat.
4. A durable and portable waterbottle such as a Nalgene—I carried mine with me everywhere, filling up at water foundations or restaurants, and this helped save a lot of money.
5. Any American food (granola bar, peanut butter, gum, and other snacks) you know you can’t live without for a while and wish to stock up on while you can.
6. American DVDs of your favorite movies.
7. School supplies abroad is different (the paper size, the number of rings in a binder), so bring some of your own if you are particular and have room. I also had a pocket folder I kept records of all my trips in, it was a great way to collect everything and keep brochures, postcards
8. Photos from home or a calendar, to decorate your new room or keep in a safe place.
9. A blank journal, notepad, or scrapbook.
10. An open mind and eagerness to explore and try new things!