Preparing for a study abroad trip can be stressful to say the least. There are so many different things to get ready for: new people, new food, and new culture. While counting down the days to hop on your plane and get going, packing your bags can be one of the hardest things to do.
How are you supposed to fit a month’s worth of clothes and accessories into one suitcase and a small carry-on? And don’t forget you’ll have to fit your laptop, school supplies, your camera and other essentials in your bags as well. Is it even possible?
Believe it or not, you can achieve this seemingly impossible feat. It won’t be easy, and you will probably get frustrated a few times, but in the end it will all work out.
CLOTHING
For most, this is the most difficult part. You’re going to be somewhere breathtaking, and you want your outfits to be equally as stunning for your Instagram pictures. The challenge comes in packing enough cute outfits into that one suitcase for an entire month.
Here’s a little secret: you don’t have to!
There’s no need to worry about packing a different outfit for everyday of your trip. Quite frankly, that might not be possible.
Remember that you will have access to a washing machine either in your apartment or at a laundromat close by. This means you’ll be able to wash the items that you’ll want to wear more than once like your jeans or jean skirts.
Now what should you actually pack? A lot of it depends on how you plan to spend your time. If you’re someone who will go for runs every morning, you may pack completely different than someone who is interested in hitting up a museum every day after class.
This guide is intended for the average student, someone who plans to do a good mixture of everything. To the right, you can find some examples of outfit ideas for your trip.
There are certain staples that you’ll want to have in your suitcase that are easy to pack and can be worn in different ways to create new outfits. The first is a pair of comfortable jeans with no rips. This is important because there are a lot of churches in Europe where you’ll have to have your knees covered to get inside. Also, jeans are comfortable with a t-shirt for class or with a nice blouse and some wedges for dinner.
Also, be sure to pack a jean skirt and jean shorts. These can be worn with just about anything and dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Jean skirts were one of the most popular articles of clothing on the 2018 study abroad trip to Florence, Italy.
A good pair of palazzo pants is essential to your study abroad trip. There will be days when you’re tired and don’t want to put much effort into your outfit, and these pants are perfect for those days. The thing that is so great about these pants is that you can throw them on with a tank top and a jean jacket (another must have in your suitcase) and it will look like you put a lot of effort into your outfit when in reality it feels like you’re wearing pajama pants.
When it comes to tops, neutral is best. Make sure to bring a plain black top and a plain white top because you can wear these with all kinds of bottoms to create new outfits.
T-shirt dresses, sundresses and rompers are easy to pack, don’t take up much room in your suitcase and are super comfortable to wear while walking the streets of your temporary home. These are highly recommended because they can be dressed up or down depending on the shoes and accessories that you pair it with.
When it comes to shoes, you’ll probably want to leave the stilettos at home. If you are wanting to wear heels, platforms or wedges are best because of the cobblestone streets in Europe that can be hard to walk on even in flats. You’ll also want to bring a few cute pairs of sandals that are lightweight and easy to pack as well as your most comfortable walking shoes.
ACCESSORIES
Here’s the first rule of packing accessories: leave all of your valuables at home. As an American in a foreign country, you are already a target for pickpockets and having Grandma’s diamond ring on your finger is just going to add to that.
Pick up some cheap (and cute) jewelry from Forever 21 so it isn’t the end of the world if it gets lost or stolen. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
A pair of hoops and a few statement earrings are great for traveling. Earrings are much easier to pack because they don’t get tangled and knotted like necklaces and bracelets do.
TOILETRIES
The easiest way to get a lot of toiletries is simply to purchase them once you get to your destination. Filling up your suitcase with mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner will only increase the weight of your bag and those tiny bottles definitely won’t last your whole trip.
Once you get to your study abroad location, head to a supermarket and pick up your shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, a razor, body wash and any other toiletries you may need.
Bring along a towel that you won’t mind throwing away at the end of the trip. This will free up extra space in your bag for all of the cool new things you buy!
Don’t forget to throw your makeup bag in your suitcase while your packing!
TECHNOLOGY
Try to pack all of your technology in your carry-on bag. This includes things like your camera, your laptop and chargers for your devices. Doing this will give you peace of mind knowing that you have your valuables with you at all times and not in your checked bag where you can’t get to them if you need them during your flight.
You’ll need to purchase adapters and a converter for your devices as well. Adapters can be used for things like your phone charger, but you’ll need a converter for things like your blow dryer.
Having a small steamer in your suitcase is also a good idea. When traveling, your clothes can get very wrinkled in your bag and the steamer will allow you to eliminate that problem all together.
Packing for your study abroad trip can be overwhelming, but don’t let it be! The best thing to keep in mind is if you do forget something, you will most likely be able to buy it when you get to your destination. Make sure you leave some free space in your suitcase for souvenirs and new clothes, because you’re sure to find something you just can’t live without on your trip. Be sure not to get too caught up on packing your suitcase and enjoy your trip!
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