Tag: Packing

What I wish people had told me about….

Published on by DU Abroad1 Comment

PACKING.With our tips, this won't end up being your suitcase!

While your study abroad experience may be 3, 4, or 5 months away we all know that packing can be a daunting experience. Exactly how are you supposed to fit your entire life (not to mention 26 pairs of shoes) in 1 or 2 suitcases? By the time that you get around to doing this task you may be worrying about so many other things, such as “Are my language skills up to par?”, or “Will my host family like me?”, that packing will be left up to the very last minute. To help you avoid the stress here are a couple of tips to help you pack like a pro…

  1. Exploring your host city is going to be one of the very first things you do! Make sure you have a pair of comfortable, thick-soled shoes or you (and your feet) will be sorry later
  2. Leave your most prized possessions and valuables at home for the time while abroad. Chances are you are not going to have a safe place to store them
  3. Beware of cobblestones (especially people studying in Europe)! While aesthetically beautiful they have been known to ruin a fancy pair of heels in record time Continue reading “What I wish people had told me about….” →

How to pack for abroad!

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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.

Continue reading “How to pack for abroad!” →