Packing two to three season’s worth of clothing for four months is no joke. And with a limited amount of space and a 50-pound weight limit per bag, it’s tough to figure out what to bring and what not to bring. Just deciding which shoes to bring probably took off two years of my life (seriously, shoes are stressful and take up far too much weight/space). So here are a few DO’s and DON’Ts in packing that I had wish someone had told me before leaving for abroad.
DISCLAIMER: Different countries have different norms and temperatures! In terms of weather, most of my tips should apply to who are around Milan or northern Europe (it’s about 10 degrees warmer in Rome/Barcelona than here!).
DON’T: Pack a lot of summer clothes
Because of the space and weight limit in bags, you don’t want to bring what’s unnecessary. That being said, when I arrived to Milan on September 1st, it was really hot… for a week. Of course I had packed enough summer clothes to last me about a month. Europeans dress according to the season and not the actual weather, so as soon as fall hits, people start busting out the jeans and leather jackets, even if it’s still mid-70s.
DO: Bring comfortable shoes
I could probably dedicate a whole article just about what shoes to bring. In all seriousness, shoes were the hardest part of packing because they take up so much space and are heavy. The good thing is that Europeans love their tennis sneaks. When people walk everywhere (and I mean to work, to school, to dinner, literally everywhere), comfortable sneakers are essential. People can pair just about any outfit with Nikes or Stan Smiths (Euros love their Adidas!) for a day-to-night look.
DON’T: Bring heels
Though I’ve had multiple debates about this topic with friends, it’s safe to say bring one pair of heels TOPS. Many of the streets are cobblestone, so if you’re like me and can’t walk on regular concrete sidewalks to begin with, it’s a definite no when abroad. I brought three pairs of heels and have yet to bust out any of them. The best move is to bring a pair of booties, which I’ve worn almost every time I’ve gone out. You can wear them with pants or a dress, giving you a slight heel with no discomfort. But if you’re a heels-enthusiast, you can bring a pair.
DO: Bring a rain jacket
People told me, “Don’t bring your Patagonia or North Face! No one wears that stuff there.” Well, having a full-blown Patagonia addiction, leaving my fleece and vests at home was definitely a pain-staking decision. But it was also stupid decision to leave my North Face rain jacket behind because it rains a lot. Now, I’m not a climatologist but I want to go out on a whim and say it rains more here than at Haverford. You’re also going to be walking much further distances on a daily basis so having a good rain jacket is essential.
DON’T: Bring your nicest things
Favorite rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings? If they’re important or expensive, I’d leave them all behind!!! Between traveling and wandering through cities, it’s easy to leave things behind and forget things. It’s even easier to be pickpocketed (save yourself the sobbing call to your parents and the heartbreak).
DO: Bring scarves
There’s nothing worse than going to some of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in Europe and not being able to get in because your shoulders are exposed. Bringing a scarf with you everywhere you go is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on anything (or any potential instas). It’s easy to fit in your bag at all times and an easy fix to not getting in or paying $5 for a paper apron that makes you look like you’re in the dentist’s office.
DO: Bring your own faves from CVS
What I mean by favorite things from CVS are things like: deodorant, tampons, and medicines. In Milan, there are no convenient stores where you can stock up on everything, and deodorant is definitely not the same as in America. People in my program have also found that the medicine isn’t quite as strong so make sure you bring lots of Emergen-C and Advil! Word on the street is that depending on what country you go to, tampons aren’t the same or don’t even exist! So make sure to get all your favorite essentials from CVS before heading abroad.