After spending so much time trapped at home because of covid, it’s finally time to get back out in the world! For many of us, this means getting back on track with new or postponed exchange programs and opportunities. While it can be exciting, travelling is suddenly unfamiliar after the events of the past two years.
I’ve done my fair share of travelling and solo travelling, yet I still found myself anxious and very confused on what to expect when I first travelled after covid. Heading out on exchange in the fall, I didn’t even know where to start when it came to packing. But, having done it, I wanted to make my tips and tricks to everybody else who will find themselves in the same position in the coming weeks leading up to the winter semester.
Pack light!
Going on exchange for a semester will pass you by much quicker than you anticipate. Don’t overpack, you’ll quickly realize you don’t need to, could have gone without many things, and have a much harder time packing your stuff up to return than you anticipated. Taking lots of luggage also makes it much harder to manage at the airport, in transit, and upon arrival. There are always things that you will realize weren’t worth the struggle to pack, but the beauty is that, if you’re not married to it, you can leave it behind and make room for new treasures you come across on your exchange.
Take your staples!
With that being said, don’t stop yourself from taking your favorite pieces and things that bring you comfort with you. Packing my favorite, cheap, overused slippers proved to be my greatest idea from the time I set foot on the plane. Don’t be shy in packing your pants and sweaters, but do make sure they aren’t too similar and are each versatile in their own way.
Check what your dorm or house will and won’t have, so you can pack accordingly!
Of course, it’s impossible to anticipate exactly what your accommodations will be like when you go away. For me, I did not anticipate having bedding and pillows, and went ahead and ordered them, when they were provided for me anyways. It’s super helpful to check with your university on what they offer for incoming exchange students. Oftentimes, you can pay to rent or buy bedding that will be delivered to your dorm upon arrival. This saved me so much room when packing and was one less thing I had to manage!
Pack smarter, not harder!
Take advantage of internet packing tricks. For me, my saving grace was getting self-sealing vacuum bags, which condensed the size of sweaters and pants so much. I also used packing cubes to keep myself organized. All of these things can be reused once it’s time to return home, and can also create convenient storage in your room. I also anticipated that I would spend a lot of time travelling while on my exchange, so I purchased a 40L backpacking backpack to take as my carry-on. This was a good way to pack heavy stuff I knew would impact the weight of my checked baggage, and the backpack will of course serve as my main luggage when I go on weekend trips.
Consider what is worth packing and what is worth buying.
Checking baggage is expensive, and sometimes hardly worth it for its contents. When I arrived on exchange, I had to self-isolate, which forced me to pack everything I couldn’t live without for 10 days and gave me lots of time to consider what I was missing. Things I packed included travel shampoo and conditioner, electrical conversion blocks, batteries for my camera, a reusable coffee cup and water bottle, feminine hygiene products, and a towel. Things I planned to purchase upon arrival included regular-sized shampoo and conditioner, kitchen towels and dish detergent, laundry pods, and hair appliances that would work in compliance with the country’s electrical outlets. By being conscious and considering what’s worth taking and what’s worth getting upon arrival, you can cut down your luggage considerably.
Pack, then pack again, then pack once more.
To determine what you really count as “worth it”, pack and then pack again and repeat the process until it can’t be done anymore. Each time you do this, you’ll find there are items that aren’t as versatile as you hoped, and items you come to determine you will really miss. If you really want to cut down on the load, get your mom involved!
Overall, packing for exchange is daunting yet exciting. It is important to remember that less is more- you can always buy anything you’re missing once you arrive. And, as much as I love putting together a new outfit, it’s important to keep in mind that your perceptions of what’s hot and what’s not will be greatly influenced by your exchange country! So, you might as well stick to packing the basics and let yourself indulge in some new favorite pieces while you travel. Bon Voyage!
