You have chosen your study abroad destination, everything is set in stone, and you are ready to start packing for your adventure. It is easy to overthink what to pack, and it can sometimes seem as though there are just too many items that need to go in your suitcase, especially since you will be away from your home comforts for a while. In reality, you don’t need all of these items! Many you can easily leave home or purchase once you arrive. Keep reading to discover what you do not need to bring to study abroad.
- Too many shoes
- This was a mistake I made when packing, I brought seven pairs of shoes and only ended up wearing four of them. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t bring more than four pairs, and remember, you can always buy more once you’re abroad if you feel like you need to. The four pairs I would recommend packing are a comfortable pair of sneakers, a pair of more fashionable shoes, a pair of boots, and either rain boots or sandals depending on where you will be. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so make sure every pair of shoes you bring is comfortable!
- More than you can carry in one or two suitcases
- I brought one small carry-on suitcase, a large, checked suitcase, and a backpack to study abroad. I felt like this was the perfect amount since I had all the items I needed and could easily carry everything myself when traveling. I have some friends who brought more than this, and it ended up being a hassle for them when trying to move in and out of our apartment and around the airport.
- Toiletries you don’t need
- Another mistake I made when packing for study abroad was bringing too many full-sized toiletries in my checked luggage. Toiletries weigh a lot, and when you are trying to stay under a certain baggage weight and maximize your space, it’s not the best option to fill your suitcase up with full-size shampoo and conditioner bottles. Most of the time you can find the same brands of your toiletries in other countries, or it might be worth it to try another brand for a few months to save yourself the weight in your suitcase.
- Towels and bedding
- Most of the time your study abroad program will provide towels and bedding for you. If they don’t or you don’t like what they have provided, you can easily go shopping once you are abroad. Towels and bedding take up a lot of unnecessary space in your suitcase that could be utilized for other things. You could, however, bring a beach towel if you are going to be someplace warm. I would recommend a Turkish towel since they are easy to compact!
- Food
- As tempting as it can be to bring those Kraft Mac and Cheese cups or Doritos, resist the urge. It is a waste of suitcase space, and you will find other snacks you love that are more local. Part of culturally immersing yourself in your study abroad experience is trying new foods and snacks! The old ones will still be there for you when you come back home.
- Sentimental or irreplaceable items
- It is best to leave anything sentimental or irreplaceable at home. In many places abroad you must watch out for pickpockets, and it would be awful if any family heirlooms or expensive jewelry went missing. It is only for a short amount of time, so in the long run, it’s better not to risk them being stolen, broken, or worse.
I have heard the best way to pack for study abroad is to lay out everything you think you need, and then cut the amount in half. Then cut it in half again! This is completely true; you do not need as much as you think you do. Practice packing, and don’t wait until the last minute so you save yourself the stress. You will soon be all ready to embark on your study abroad adventure!