I’ve always wanted to travel and learn about new cultures, but for the first 19 years of my life, I’d never been outside the U.S.
Enter FSU International Programs.
There were so many great options, from Florence to Panama City, but I knew that I wanted to go to London. As a creative writing student, most of the authors I admire are British, so I was interested in the London program. I also figured that for my first trip out of America, I should pick the most similar country.
In 2025, I spent the best summer of my life in London, living in a flat with my seven roommates and exploring the city between classes.
As an international travel newbie, I did a lot of research to see what kinds of items I should pack, but no one tells you everything. Here, I’ve compiled a list of the best things I packed and the things I ended up buying along the way.
- Clothing
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The first thing anyone traveling anywhere should do is check the weather, but when you’re living in another country for an extended period, it’s a little harder to predict what you’ll need.
I made sure to cover all my bases and avoided super heavy, bulky pieces. Layering was my best friend because places can be hot during the day, and then temperatures drop drastically as soon as the sun goes down.
My favorite pieces to wear were tank tops, knee-length shorts, and light-weight sweaters and flannels. It’s surprising how much of a difference just one layer will make in keeping you warm.
As for shoes, I originally didn’t pack the best options, since one pair had a giant hole in the bottom (not fun when it’s raining your entire weekend trip). A good, comfortable pair of shoes is an absolute must, then something a little fancier for dinner or the theater, and of course, shower shoes, especially if you plan to travel around and stay in a hostel.
- Weather Gear
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On my very first day in London, I quickly realized that even though it was supposed to be sunnier in summer, you can’t stop the rain. Luckily, I had my handy-dandy raincoat and managed to avoid being completely uncomfortable waiting in the queue for Wimbledon.
There were so many times when I needed a raincoat or umbrella, which I shared with my friends who didn’t have one. However, the weather is fickle, and I did get a little sunburnt a week later, so packing enough sunscreen is important too.
Depending on the destination, there may not be air conditioning, an American luxury I had to get used to not having. Being from Florida, I thought I was used to the heat and would be fine, even without air conditioning. I was very wrong.
FSU provided us with fans in our flat, but I also bought a little folding fan that was helpful on those hot days. A mini electric fan would also work great for places that are more tropical than London.
- Technology
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Even though the big draw of studying abroad is travel, the studying part is equally important. Having all the tools I needed to move through the city like a local and use all my normal technology was necessary.
The major one is, of course, the adapter for whatever chargers you need. Depending on the country, they look and work differently, so getting the right one will make your trip so much easier.
Data and networks can also be issues, so many of my friends bought SIM or eSIM cards to make communication and connectivity easier. I didn’t end up buying one, and sometimes it was a problem for me, but it’s really a matter of preference.
Another tiny and forgettable item is a tracker of some kind for your valuables. I had a tag in my wallet, backpack, and suitcase, so if anything happened to them, I had something to go off of.
I learned so much from being in London, and now I’m even more prepared for the next time I travel internationally. Studying abroad is an amazing experience, but it’s so important to be prepared so that when you get to your destination, you can enjoy it!
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