What You Should Actually Pack When You Go Abroad
by Sneha Tripathy
When I was packing for my study away semester at NYU Florence, I kept seeing the same advice over and over again: Underpack! Whether it was from TikTok or from my friends who had studied abroad in the past, I was told to bring as little as possible as I would be shopping plenty while abroad. At that time, it sounded like solid advice, especially since I was worried about my suitcase exceeding the weight limit. Also, the idea of buying new things abroad seemed enticing and I wanted to ensure that I would have enough room in my bags to take everything back home.
That was a mistake.
I actually severely under-packed. The moment I landed in Florence, I was met with strong winds and chilly temperatures. Unfortunately, because I had only brought one winter jacket, I found myself wearing the same black coat every day. As the semester went on and traveling plans began to form, I found myself struggling to fit everything that I needed for a weekend trip inside of my school backpack. As a result, I needed to buy new things, whether it was new clothes from H&M and Zara or a new travel bag. I did not anticipate how inconvenient and costly it would be to replace basic clothes and necessities that I already owned—especially with grocery and travel expenses piling up at the same time.
If you are about to study away for a semester or are considering doing so, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare. Because it is important to make sure that your checked bags meet weight requirements, packing smart becomes key rather than simply packing light. These pointers will help you make the most of your abroad experience while staying within your budget.
Pack a lot of basic clothing items
Yes, the idea of shopping abroad sounds exciting, but it is not exactly the most practical. Remember that while you are abroad, it is difficult to save money, especially if you intend to travel on the weekends. Those costs add up quickly and rapidly and if you do also plan on preparing your own meals during the week, it is important to consider saving up on groceries as well. As a result, it is definitely worth packing simple, everyday clothing items in order to avoid purchasing duplicates. This could include neutral colored tops, multiple good pairs of jeans. Pack at least two winter jackets and a few light jackets as well to layer your clothing with as well.
A travel bag
If there is anything that you should leave room for your suitcase for, it is definitely a durable and decent-sized travel bag, especially if you plan on traveling during the weekends. As big as your school backpack may seem, the space that a travel bag provides is much more ideal for a weekend trip and is definitely worth the investment. Especially since you may be doing some shopping during your travels.
When looking for your travel bags, just make sure to check that its dimensions meet the requirements for the airlines you will be flying with, like Ryanair and EasyJet. Believe me, the rumors are true. These airlines, especially Ryanair, love to measure your bags to make sure that they comply with their regulations.
Travel size of everything!
Because you will be traveling quite often, it is important that you buy travel-sized products for all your essential personal care items. Another option is to buy travel-sized containers and fill them with your desired products, including body wash, moisturizer and shampoo. This will help you save room in your bag and also help you stay within liquid restrictions for airport security. Additionally, smaller containers means that you will not have any spills and leaks. Just be sure to keep your liquids inside of Ziploc bags for extra protection to prevent leakages from pressure changes during flights.
Overall, I believe that these are three important items to keep in mind as you prepare for this exciting time of your college experience. It is important to be smart and practical about your packing while also leaving room for the memories you will make throughout your travels and semester in general. Just be sure to stay organized and always plan in advance. Good luck and bon voyage!