Packing (especially for us girls) can be a very long, frustrating process. Since you’re not going on a short vacation, but actually LIVING in this place for 3+ months, most likely you’ll desperately try to fit your entire wardrobe into your suitcase (heaven forbid you might leave the US without your hot pink pumps, right? They are TOTALLY essential!)
Here’s some packing tips I have for all you style conscious ladies going abroad – you only have so much space to pack your stuff, so let’s try to keep the tears and frantic jumping-on –the-suitcase-I-SWEAR-IT-WILL-CLOSE!!!! to a minimum. Guys, these tips might be useful for you too, if you can get past all the girly humor and take away just the main point of each tip.
TIP 1
2 Suitcases, a carry on, and a purse if you need one. That’s it. Don’t try to ship anything over – it’s expensive, and it only means you’re going to ship stuff back, right? (Let’s not lie about it… you’re going to go shopping while you’re there, which = more stuff coming back than going over). Make sure that your carry on is light (your flight might be 10+ hours, don’t torture yourself) and your bags have wheels. Good luck trying to carry it all yourself if they don’t – especially if you’re finding your own way to your program site from the airport. No wheels + heavy carry on = cranky American.
DU Abroad 