The Golden Rule of Packing for Study Abroad

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Once upon a time, I thought I was a master packer. Two days before I had to get on that plane to Dublin, I thought differently. My bedroom looked like the aftermath of a tornado. The contents of my closet and drawers were in assorted piles on my bed and floor. In the middle of this mess were two empty duffel bags. I thought, "How is all this going to fit in there?" I knew it wasn't. I'd have to find a way to part with some of what I thought were necessities. But how was I going to do that? I was going away for an entire year! I needed all this stuff . . . or so I thought.

Packing is quite possibly the most daunting and difficult task you'll encounter when preparing to study abroad. You're going away for a semester or a year, but you can pack only two bags, each subject to airline weight limits of as little as 40 pounds or as many as 70 pounds, to take with you. You're probably used to packing up an entire car or two with all your worldly possessions in tow on your way back to college at the end of every summer. But now you don't have that luxury; you're going abroad (unless, of course, that means you're driving to Canada or Mexico). Every cubic inch of space you have in those two suitcases counts! So you must ask yourself, "Can I live without this?" regarding just about every single item you want to put into one of those two suitcases.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of packing, I'll introduce you to my golden rule of packing. I spent many hours packing, unpacking, and repacking before learning this rule. I wish I had known it while I tried to pack my duffel bags for Ireland. Although it isn't a magic formula, I think that if you keep it in mind as you begin packing for your adventure, your experience will go a bit easier. Okay, here ya go. Drumroll, please. Here's my golden rule of packing: Don't take too much stuff. Sounds altogether too simple, right? Well, it is! However, the sad fact is: The majority of travelers (like me) break this rule, and all of them live to regret it.

Let me explain why this is such an important rule.

• Heavy, bulky luggage is hard to carry. Never take more than you can carry, all by yourself, at one time. Pack what you plan to take, then carry it around the block two or three times and go up and down a flight of stairs. If you can't make it, you've overpacked.
• Too much stuff slows you down. Airports turn into nightmares, and so will public transit, when you must walk through long corridors with more stuff than you can comfortably carry. When your aim is always to travel light, you can move more quickly (and run, if need be) to catch trains and buses, and you'll be more likely to have a free hand when you need it.
• Heavy bags can mean a heavy heart. The lighter you travel, the more fun you'll have. You'll also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended and at risk of being stolen.

So how do you manage this feat? How do you pack light for a months-long trip? It isn't impossible — I promise. Following these rules can help you keep your urge to overpack in check: