So, you have been accepted to your program, booked your flight and have your passport and visa. The only thing left to do now is pack and you have absolutely no idea where to get started.
The main fear about packing is the off-chance you will need something and not have it. (It’s enough to convince anyone to put that extra pair of shoes in the suitcase!) The key is to plan for the best and if the worst strikes, know that you can buy most necessities abroad. Here is list of things to bring and how to pack:
The basics:
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Remember you are here to travel and to learn, so being the best dressed or having the ultimate outfit everyday may not happen. The goal is to pack one big suitcase, one carry-on and one backpack. This gives you room for about two to three weeks’ worth of clothes. If you plan on taking inexpensive flights within Europe using Easyjet, or a similar airline, be sure that your backpack meets the airlines carry-on requirements. They are strict about baggage and having a bag that is too heavy can result in some hefty checking fees.
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Research your city! This could not be more important as some areas will have the essential items you need at a better quality whereas others will not. For example, Italy and France have great skincare products, but they can be a bit pricey! So, if you are a skincare junkie and would splurge on it anyway, then feel free to pack limited amounts of your regular products. Otherwise I would advise bringing enough make-up and face wash to get you through the semester.
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Be sure to pack something from home. You are guaranteed to miss UNC!
Clothes:
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As far as style, try and keep it simple, meaning solid tops and solid bottoms. Do not pack every cute patterned pant you own because making more than two outfits with those is a struggle – believe me! The treasure behind simple blouses and pants is versatility. You can partner them with anything and it still works! Versatility also comes in handy if you are going for more than one season. Try and bring articles of clothing that you can layer for the colder months and that match trends in multiple seasons.
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Accessories will save your life! Yes, you may have a lot of the same clothes, but you can always switch up your look with necklaces, rings, earrings, and scarves! Don’t go overboard though. You don’t need you whole jewelry case – just what you use the most.
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Remember you only have a suitcase and a half, so unfortunately, you’ll need to minimize. Five bras is perfect for your stay. Try and make sure that at least three are nude and comfy. That will save you the headache of having to repeat the same one to many times simply because it does not show through your shirts. You should also pack one strapless bra and one sports bra. I know that I generally pack my entire two month underwear supply, whether I am going for a weekend beach trip or a six-month stay in Europe. In this case, avoid the urge to hoard all of your cute panties and try to keep your underwear supply down to three weeks. By then, you should have to do laundry anyway!
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Surprisingly, three pairs of jeans is all you need. We all know that we have that favorite pair of jeans that we wear at all costs because they fit us just right. Pack those, and the two runner-ups! Plus, it is extremely unlikely that you will want to wear them once warmer weather rolls around.
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You need one regular jacket and one rain jacket. Keep in mind that jackets can take up a lot of space, so leave the downy coat at home unless you are going somewhere that has arctic temps.
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Limit yourself to five pairs of shoes: One pair of boots, one pair of sandals, one pair of wedges and a pair of cute sneakers or another comfortable shoe. Also, do not pack shoes that you have not broken in! You will be walking a lot and it’s just not fair to put your feet through that torture.
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Fun in the sun waits for no one, so don’t forget the swimsuit!
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Pack two dresses for that nice dinner or show you may want to see or any other spontaneous event that may occur. You never know!
Electronics:
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Don’t bring your Nook, iPad or games. You will really only need a laptop, your phone and your camera. Though you may be an avid reader, I promise the beck and call of a foreign country will take precedent over your page-turning novel. If you must have some literature, I would recommend bringing one or two books. That way, you do not put your tablet at the risk of theft or getting lost.
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Buy more adaptors than you think you need because they will inevitably get lost.
Important Documents:
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So, you know all of those documents that gave you anxiety and headaches retrieving? MAKE COPIES! Tentatively, these items should include: Your proof of enrollment letter, your visa and passport and your health insurance card. I cannot stress this enough.
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Banking: Some people choose to open up a bank account in their study abroad city. Whereas, some choose to keep their bank at home and simply withdraw money in large sums to avoid fees while abroad.
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Medication: At times, it can be hard to get your medication abroad. Bring all of your required prescriptions with you before entering the country. Be sure to check the country’s prescription medication laws beforehand too.
Bon Voyage!