Study Abroad: Deciding What to Bring

Wondering about wardrobe

Clothing takes up the most space in your suitcase when you pack to go abroad, and you want to choose it carefully. Remember that safety abroad begins with what you pack. You want to dress conservatively to avoid drawing attention to yourself, and try to look as unlike a tourist or an American as possible. Don't wear tennis shoes or sneakers (In other countries, sneakers are much different than what we wear in the U.S.). Baseball hats are a dead giveaway that you're an American, as are sweatpants. Wearing black is usually safe. Also, wear skirts that are of a conservative length (knee length). In other words, aim to blend in, and avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry or clothing. Note: Clothing that is too casual for where you're studying can signal that you're a tourist.

Here's a list of things to remember when packing clothing for your trip abroad:

• Clothes need to compliment each other so you can easily mix and match them for a wide variety of outfits. Dark (black, navy, purple, green) or neutral (all browns and shades of gray) colored clothing is not only easy to interchange, but also tends to hide any dirt or stains you inevitably acquire along the way.
• Try packing clothes made of fabrics that require little care. Wrinkle-free and cotton-knit blend clothes are most convenient and are extremely easy to pack, thus creating more space in your suitcase because you can tightly roll items that won't wrinkle. I also recommend rayon/polyester/spandex blend clothes for traveling. They are good for multiple seasons, take up little room in luggage, are almost impossible to wrinkle, and dry relatively quickly after being washed.
• Avoid packing anything that requires dry cleaning because it's too much of a hassle. Put dresses, suits, and shirts in plastic bags (dry-cleaning bags) to cut down on wrinkling. If your suitcase has a garment cover designed to accommodate hanging items, use it.
• Waterproof clothing is a great idea, particularly when you're headed for a rainy climate or any region where you'll be studying during the wet season. At the very least, bring a raincoat and a pair of waterproof shoes. A travel raincoat takes up little space and is easily rolled up so you can even carry it around in your school bag. You'll be more comfortable and less likely to overheat if you have a raincoat made of a breathable fabric.
• If you're traveling to a cooler climate, be aware that dressing in layers is key! Layering clothes is more effective than hauling around bulky sweaters or coats.
• Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage just in case your luggage gets lost during your travels.
• If you know that you will not be able to use a clothes dryer at your study abroad destination, remember that jeans and bulky clothes take forever to dry.
• Pack heavier items, like shoes, at the bottom of a suitcase. Wear the pair of shoes that would take up the most space in a suitcase while you're on the plane. Put your shoes in shoe bags (or thoroughly clean the soles) before packing them so your clothes don't get dirty. Stuff small items such as socks or travel-size toiletries inside your shoes to save space.
• Consider packing your clothes in plastic bags sorted by type of garment (In other words, have different bags for shirts, pants, undergarments, and so on). This enables you to easily find what you're looking for without taking everything out of your bag and then having to repack.

Packing your personal items

Here are a few tricks of the trade for packing nonclothing items:

• Remember that soap, toothpaste, and other toiletries can be purchased when you arrive at your destination, so you can just bring a few travel size bottles to get through the first few days. Don't take up valuable space in your suitcase with full-sized bottles.
• Pack toiletries in resealable plastic bags, because changes in pressure on airplanes often cause these items to leak (and sometimes even explode) during flight.
• Pack small breakable items between clothes, which provide enough protective cushioning that these items can be sent safely in your checked-in luggage. I suggest that you pack fragile items inside a few socks for extra cushioning and then place them inside a shoe.
• Face it, you'll return home with more stuff than you had when you went abroad. So leaving space in your suitcase to account for these extras is a good idea. You can also pack a collapsible or expandable bag to carry items you purchase on the return leg of your trip. Packing all of your purchases in one bag will help you get through Customs more quickly.
• If you take a camera, don't forget to register it (see next item) and be sure to buy a lead-lined film bag. Contrary to posted airport claims, some X-ray devices ruin film.
• Register imported items, such as portable tape or CD players, cameras, watches, and so on, with U.S. Customs before leaving the States. Unregistered foreign-made items are subject to duty charges when you reenter the U.S., unless you can prove ownership prior to your departure (such as by showing the receipt). Take the items to Customs services at the airport and fill in a registration slip. When you reenter the U.S., show Customs officials the slip.
• Guidebooks can take up lots of space. If you have more than one guidebook and want to save some space, consider ripping out pages that you don't think you'll need. When I traveled through Europe, I ripped out pages of my guidebook that I knew I wouldn't need and then tore out the pages that applied to a location whenever I left it bound for another.
• Airlines don't always allow you to carry musical instruments in the cabin of the plane. If you intend to take one with you, it may need to be checked. Insure the instrument and make sure your name and address are on it and on the case.

Checking out a checklist

This suggested packing checklist is by no means exhaustive or the last word on what you do and don't need to pack. Your study abroad program or home university study abroad office may also provide you with relevant packing information.

• Basic items
  • Luggage (I.D. tags)
  • Weekend travel bag/day pack
  • Money belt/neck pouch (can be worn inside your clothing, safer than a fanny pack)
• Documentation
  • Passport
  • Visa or other immigration documentation
  • Insurance information (health, property, travel insurance)
  • Traveler's checks
  • Small amount of currency of study abroad destination
  • U.S. dollars
  • Plane tickets
  • International Student Identity Card
  • Emergency contact information
  • Any relevant health information you may need to enter the country, such as an immunization record and/or proof of HIV/AIDS testing
• Clothing
  • Easy care clothing items
  • Layers of warm and cool clothes for weather changes
  • Waterproof jacket and shoes
  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
  • A variety of socks (thin cotton, thermal, and wool)
  • Underwear
  • Hat, gloves, scarf, and mittens if you are studying in a cold climate
  • One nice, more formal outfit
  • Trousers
  • Tops
  • Swimsuit
• Healthcare items
  • Prescriptions
  • Spare glasses or contacts
  • First aid kit (include frequently used items in your medicine cabinet)
  • Adhesive bandages
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Nonprescription painkillers (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
  • Anti-diarrhea medicine
  • Malaria pills (if needed)
  • Water purification equipment (if needed)
• Academic items
  • Dictionary in English and your country's native language
  • Your home university's study abroad office contact information
  • Your major adviser's and dean's contact information
  • Any course information/credit transfer paperwork
  • Program materials, which may include handbooks, course registration information, or directions to your new home sent by your program
  • Photocopies of important documents
• Miscellaneous
  • Camera, film
  • Battery-operated alarm clock
  • Extra batteries
  • Watch
  • Sewing kit
  • Towel and washcloth (for travel)
  • Travel guides, maps
  • Book to read on the plane
  • Travel journal
  • Gifts if you'll be staying with a host family
  • International phone card (with access number to the U.S. from your host country)
  • Sunglasses
  • Earplugs

Remember not to pack any sharp items or anything that could be used as a weapon in your carry-on bag.

Saying "no" to shipping

Whenever possible, avoid shipping any of your belongings abroad. Doing so is an expensive idea, times two, because whatever you ship to your abroad destination at the beginning of the semester, you must ship back home at the end. Fees for shipping baggage back to the U.S. generally are higher than the cost to ship packages from the U.S. The cheapest way to send packages is by surface mail through the U.S. postal service, but this method can take anywhere from six to ten weeks.

Shipping items abroad also is fairly risky because damage caused to packages shipped abroad is quite frequent, and so is theft.

You may also encounter unusual Customs regulations in your country abroad that limit what you can send or receive. Your package from home may be held at the Customs office, and you may have to pick it up and pay a fee. Students often find that they must pay large amounts for packages of personal items from home. When shipping packages, students and parents typically declare a high value on the contents for insurance purposes. However, to avoid unnecessary Customs tax, your packages need to be labeled as "used personal items with no commercial value." When shipping baggage home to the U.S., you can be charged storage fees while waiting for Customs clearance.