What to wear, what to wear... that is the crucial question that all students struggle with when it comes time to pack for a semester abroad. Don't fret quite yet; I am here to deliver some sound advice to help ease your packing stress.
Pack Light
First things first, whether you're a fashionista and your outfit will determine the quality of your pictures, or you're the kind of person that believes a shirt is a shirt and you could care less, the rule applies to all: pack light, pack light, pack light. I cannot stress that enough!
Dress for the Climate
The main goal when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck is to bring clothes you can layer (and unlayer) to cater to the changing climates. When you first arrive at your destination you’re going to be in the midst of that country’s winter. Whether you will be in sunny Spain near the beach or in chilly England, don't discredit the time of year you will arrive and the potentially colder climates you may end up visiting. You have to pack for the changing of seasons. During the colder months, layer clothes to keep you warm. The cold days tent to outnumber the warm ones so you will still need to dress warm when the sun isn't out. As your study abroad experience comes to an end (unfortunately, it does not last forever) you will be able to head to the beach and dress a bit lighter. Just layer up and you will be able to conquer whatever weather is thrown at you!
Keep it Simple
Another important thing to remember is to pack as many plain and solid pieces as you can. I am the first to pick out a fun and upbeat patterned shirt, but I promise, something plain will go a long way. Cheap flight companies are VERY strict and only allow one TINY bag. They will try to nickel and dime you if you go even the slightest bit over the allowance, so you want to avoid this at all costs. There will also be days (hopefully not weeks) that you will have to wear the same pants, shirts, outfits in a row. Fortunately, no one will be able to notice if you wear the same solid prints day in and day out (they may start to smell you though). To be the most cost effective travelers, you will want to stick with the bare basics and pack the minimal amount. After all, the places you will be visiting are much cooler than any patterned Tee, so you won't even care!
Leave Valuables at Home
One last key note, make sure to leave all your nice and treasured pieces at home. A word of advice to you girls, I picked up some cheap clothes at my local Forever21 and packed items that I would not mind ripping, smelling, or having to leave behind if they didn't fit. Not only will it leave more room in your suitcase to bring things back home (wink, wink), but you will never have to worry about things getting damaged or dirtied. In general, you should leave anything valuable at home to lessen your anxiety of loss, damage, or theft from pick-pocketers. You really will adapt and be okay without these items and there are plenty of cheap and affordable places to buy any necessary clothing or other items that you may need!
Another important thing to remember is to pack as many plain and solid pieces as you can. I am the first to pick out a fun and upbeat patterned shirt, but I promise, something plain will go a long way. Cheap flight companies are VERY strict and only allow one TINY bag. They will try to nickel and dime you if you go even the slightest bit over the allowance, so you want to avoid this at all costs. There will also be days (hopefully not weeks) that you will have to wear the same pants, shirts, outfits in a row. Fortunately, no one will be able to notice if you wear the same solid prints day in and day out (they may start to smell you though). To be the most cost effective travelers, you will want to stick with the bare basics and pack the minimal amount. After all, the places you will be visiting are much cooler than any patterned Tee, so you won't even care!
Leave Valuables at Home
One last key note, make sure to leave all your nice and treasured pieces at home. A word of advice to you girls, I picked up some cheap clothes at my local Forever21 and packed items that I would not mind ripping, smelling, or having to leave behind if they didn't fit. Not only will it leave more room in your suitcase to bring things back home (wink, wink), but you will never have to worry about things getting damaged or dirtied. In general, you should leave anything valuable at home to lessen your anxiety of loss, damage, or theft from pick-pocketers. You really will adapt and be okay without these items and there are plenty of cheap and affordable places to buy any necessary clothing or other items that you may need!
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| Taken from SodaHead.com |
I found this great website, here, to help give you some guidelines to follow and give you an idea on what to bring and not to bring to some countries you may visit!
MOST OF ALL, ENJOY AND CHERISH YOUR TIME ABROAD; IT GOES BY FASTER THAN YOU CAN BLINK!
** P.S. If you
find that you have some extra room in your suitcase, feel free to pack me!**
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