As we say our final goodbyes to the 2026 Spring semester here at UCF, many of us are preparing to have our passports stamped and immerse ourselves in a whole new culture. While the thought of going abroad fills your mind with happy thoughts, the closer summer gets, the more worries might arise. Eventually, you may find yourself swimming in a sea of clothes just waiting to be packed into a large suitcase, wondering what you got yourself into.
Along with packing insecurity, culture shock, and the sadness of leaving people behind, the fear of doing it all alone takes center stage. As someone currently in the trenches of this very feeling, I decided to create a casual guide that explains the most pressing matters of preparing for study abroad during the summer.
What makes summer unique?
While it may not seem as daunting as a fall or spring study, summer students experience their own challenges, like worries about forming long-term friendships abroad and possible shame about missing home. Uniquely, the summer creates opportunities for students to have very short study terms — whether it be a couple of weeks, one month, or three months.
Personally, I’ll be enjoying a semester of one month and some change. With this comes the worry that I’m missing out by not choosing a longer semester or having more time to travel across countries during my stay. At the same time, choosing a shorter summer semester alleviates the sadness of leaving home and actually lightens the pressure to make friends. After all, if everyone you meet ends up being awful, at least you won’t have to spend four months with them.
No one really talks about these dark mental moments that anyone is vulnerable to experiencing on a study abroad adventure. The “what-ifs” are endless, and yet the internet is flooded with people recounting just how life-changing their journey was while pursuing education abroad. Despite the times you may face shock or loneliness, your adventure will almost certainly expand your heart and mind in ways only possible by immersing yourself in another culture.
This is not to say that there is no pressure to experience your time abroad in one narrow way. Rather, we are destined to forge our own paths and create our own extremely unique memories.
packing chaos: tips and tricks
Now that we’ve dived into the emotional aspect of preparation, it is necessary to discuss some of the more stress-inducing components. I love taking Instagram pictures, so packing a proper, compressed wardrobe that allows me to be fashionable abroad is a huge obstacle.
Not to mention, packing also poses the problem of making sure you have the proper clothing for the climate and weather of the designated country. Some cities in Europe experience burning summers accompanied by cool, breezy nights. That contrast makes packing so much harder, since you have to compensate for cold weather when you were expecting a hot, European summer.
In researching wardrobes for study abroad, my main advice is to avoid overpacking at all costs and resist the urge to buy new things until you get to your destination. These rules go hand in hand because it’s inevitable that you’ll want to shop for cool, unique pieces that will go on to hold sentimental value the rest of your life. Why waste all your money on Target basics when you could shop Florence’s vast selection of vintage clothing or fill your luggage with cheap Sonny Angels from Japan?
Packing cubes are a great way to condense your clothes while travelling and make room for every memento you collect along the way. They are also great for transferring clothing to your travel backpack for weekend trips, if you plan to go on any. Another tip is to research the budget airlines that operate in your home base country to make sure your weekend backpack meets the airline bag requirements.
Deciding what to pack and how much is more difficult in theory than in practice. Notion allows you to download comprehensive packing list templates for free, which you can tailor to your personal needs. An application like this is useful for overthinkers like me, who are convinced they’ve forgotten everything the second they leave the house. When in doubt, don’t stress; you can always buy luggage while abroad to send home.
What am I forgetting?
Alongside packing, many small things have crossed my mind this past month that I had never considered until now. One of these is to make sure you have enough of your prescription medications to last you the whole trip. If you have monthly prescriptions, you can actually use a vacation override for health insurance that typically only refills one month at a time.
Another thing to consider is what to bring in person to cities known for pickpocketing and how to keep those belongings safe. Online, you can find bags that are theft-proof, but I believe a crossbody with a zipper will do.
If you anticipate going on long walks or side trips, a portable charger is great to keep by your side. Additionally, if you’re anything like me, investing in a good digital or film camera will really elevate every memory captured. I especially recommend films since they are usually cheap on eBay and let you live in the moment without scrutinizing every pose and imperfection.
what you’ll actually remember
The more I prepare, the more I realize that all of these stressful factors will fade into the distance as I settle into my temporary home. Sure, culture shock gets the best of us for the first week, and meeting new people can be a tough hurdle, but those experiences are formative.
We likely won’t look back on the trip and regret every outfit choice in every picture. We’ll be looking at the people in those pictures and a setting we wish we could return to.
Especially in terms of planning, the best experiences often emerge from spontaneity and courage. Don’t feel the urge to plan every move yet, because you have no idea who you could meet along the way — future bridesmaids or a summer sweetheart? The possibilities are endless.
It’s okay to not feel ready
If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t feel 100% ready to embark on this journey, but I don’t expect that I ever could be until I’m actually living it. Release yourself from the pressure of perfection, and you’ll do just fine as long as you practice safety and self-love.
There’s a whole world out there waiting to be uncovered through your perspective, and it’ll be home to lasting memories. Good luck, and safe travels.