After you’ve been accepted to a study abroad program you might feel a bit panicked trying to think of all the things that you should be packing. Properly packing for a study abroad program can often feel like you need to compartmentalize your life into a suitcase with everything you’ll need to survive. Here are some top considerations that you’ll need to make before you start packing.
What Is The Country You Are Studying In?
Learning more about whether a country is more liberal or conservative can help you to rule out some of your fashion choices and some of the choices that you might use for literature as well.
Urban Versus Rural
Bring along some clothing that matches a rural environment and take into account some of the activities that you would do in the local area. If you’re in a city it’s likely that you could have access to purchase some of the items you might need rather than packing them.
Seasonal Information
Find out more about the seasons that you’re planning on being away for. Depending on the area where you’re studying you might be facing the rainy season or a particularly dry few months of weather.
Essential Clothing
Make sure that your packing along essential clothing such as, a few pairs of shoes, bring athletic clothing and a jacket to keep you warm, at least one nice outfit, enough underwear and socks as well as the standard clothing that you would be wearing for your day to day schooling.
Basic Toiletries
Some basic toiletries could also be packed along to save you some time and comforts. Bring along your favorite conditioner and body wash, toothpaste and floss, prescriptions, sunscreens and other products that you’re familiar with that will help you be more comfortable.
Essential Electronics
Make sure that you leave spots for your essential electronics like a mobile device, laptop power adaptors, e-reader, power banks, and more.
Miscellaneous Information
Miscellaneous and essential items like your passport and visas, cross-body purse if you are in a different area, a gift for your host family, student ID, driver’s license, and travel and medical insurance can be important.
Tools like vacuum space bags, small Ziploc bags for your toiletries, and a portable luggage scale can all be beneficial during your packing process and for fitting more into your packing. You’ll be able to cut down your packing to just the essentials with some practice.
Keep in mind that depending on where you are studying, it’s also likely that you can get many of the items that you will need for your day-to-day student experience once you land. Bring along some of the items that you need for comfort and safety as well as your absolute essentials is a great start with your packing process.
Traveling abroad and studying abroad can be an exciting process and with a proper checklist and some planning for your packing, you can make sure that you have bags that fit weight limits and prepare you to study accordingly.
