Study Overseas

Packing, does the very word send shivers up your spine and chills down your back? It did for me. I hated the idea of it so much that I waited until the day before I left for my study abroad program to pack. (I don't recommend that by the way or you might end up with too many shoes and no socks!). Here are some essential tips and guides guaranteed to make your packing less stressful and less daunting than my own!

Number 1: If you know without a shadow of a doubt that you can't live without it, then take it!

Don't force yourself to live without your favorite item for such a long period of time. If it's important to you, then take it. For me, it was my pillow! No matter where I am in the world or what bed I'm sleeping it, if I have my own pillow, I know I will sleep better. The pillow was my "I can't live without, I just might die if I leave it at home" item. Whether it's a pillow, your favorite book, a fluffy blanket or your stylish dancing shoes, if the thought of leaving it at home, makes you want to cry, then pack it!

Number 2: Don't crowd your suitcase with unnecessary items.

Find out what the weather is typically like when you are going to be there so you don't pack the wrong type of clothes. Seasons vary from state to state. A sweatshirt and light jacket may be all you need for a winter in California, but a winter in New York will require multiple sweatshirts, a thick, ski-like jacket, scarves and mittens. Your space is valuable, don't use it up for items you aren't going to use.

Number 3: Ask Questions!

This is the single most important way to research. Find people who have gone to the same places and ask them every question you can think of. Before studying in London, I made a daily call to my friends who had gone on the same program a year before and pestered them with question after question. Don't know what questions to ask? Try these two for starters. When deciding what to pack, the answers to these questions influenced me the most.

• What was one thing you took with you that you wish you hadn't?
• What was one thing you didn't take that you wish you had?

Number 4: If you can buy it after you arrive, don't even bother packing it.

Items such as toiletries can be easily bought in the States. With such easy access to the many stores available, it is better to just buy your toiletries after arriving and save room in your suitcase for other items. Electronics are also easy to buy and often cheaper as well. Girls, I know how important your blow dryer, straightener and curling irons are, but voltage isn't the same world wide and even with a converter, your favorite hair accessory just might fry. The best way to avoid this is to buy one after arriving. When I went abroad, I roomed with three other girls from my country. We decided to pool our money together, buy one blow dryer and straightener and share it. Even if you don't have anyone to share the cost with, these essential hair items are generally low costing and very easy to obtain in the States.

Number 5: Save room for things that remind you of home.

When staying in a different country, it is always nice to have something that reminds you of home. For me it was my photos. I brought dozens of photos of my family, friends and pets and hung them in my room. Not only did it make my room more homey, but it also helped me when I got a little homesick half way through the trip. You might be surprised how much you will need these reminders from home and are a must pack for any traveler for any length of time!