It is not an overstatement to say that your packing abilities can either 'make or break'
your study abroad trip. After all, you will be dwelling in a new
country for a long amount of time and your baggage is all that you will
have from your home. However, fighting the desire to pack nearly all the contents of
your dormitory could prove to be harder than you anticipate. That is why it is best if
you lay out a plan of your travel plan* along with the activities that you could
do, and use that as a background to decide what you should or should not bring.
The mantra of the international student is: avoid
over packing at all toll. Some might
complain about forgetting some items at home, but then it is always not as hard to
purchase provisions when you have made it than ship things you do not use back home
(which will cost a lot of money) or worse, carry lumbering and bulky
luggage
everywhere you go. Incidence of thievery oftentimes happens because a student gets tired
of holding his/her luggage, casts them down, and then leaves them unaccompanied.
Students on study abroad programs should be particularly careful of their
documents and identification, and any other important papers that will bear witness to
their legal stay in the country. Make sure that your passport and visa are
securely placed in your handbag, ideally in an interior pouch. You can also purchase
a money bag to contain your airline tickets, money, travelers checks, credit
cards, ATM cards, International Student Identity Card, Hostel membership card,
and Travel Pass, and position it below your clothes. You should also take a Xerox
replicate of everything basic and keep it in an entirely independent place.
Then comes the more exhilarating component:
packing your clothes. It is understandable
that you desire to look better - after all, you are alone in a different
land and you want to be liked by the inhabitants as well as additional students on a
study abroad curriculum like you. But if you can do this by mixing and matching one
'formal' outfit, two pairs of long pants, 3 to 4 cotton t-shirts or blouses, 2
pairs of shorts, a skirt (for girls), and 3-4 polo shirts (for
boys) - you are on your way to enjoying the travel time of your life! You
can even add a trendy bathing suit or bikini for beach destinations on weekends. It is
also requisite that you do not run out of fresh socks and underwear, so take at
least seven pairs of both things. A great hint is to take dark apparel as dirt
does not become instantly obvious on them (sounds revolting, but you will
learn...) and the most comfortable pair of shoes you have for all the eternal
backpacking and frolicking that you will do. Leave those killer shoes at home!
You should also be aware of the weather of the country you are going to.
Sudden changes in temperature can give you 'a cold', so bring medicines for
common illnesses. You should also need to bring sunblock, a light rain jacket,
insect repellant, a hat, and a water bottle for outside trips and sightseeing.
You should bring toliet articles, however if you really want to diminish your cargo, you will be able to
decide to acquire them when you arrive as many things are readily available in
large cities. Female travelers who favour a particular make of tampons or sanitary napkins had better
bring a months amount, and men should do the same with their shaving lotions and razors. When
you have packed what you think is necessary for you to last in a foreign
country, try transporting your luggage around the block and up and down some long
and steep stairways. If you just can not hold it all by yourself, re-check and remove
the less requisite items.
International Study Abroad program alumni could be the greatest information references that
you can find. If you know a student, you ought to ask that person what else
you could need for your experience. Always Keep in mind that your
luggage is your
minuscule part of home in the foreign metropolis, so do your absolute best not to misplace any of
it.