How to Pack for Your Study Abroad? 5 Tips to Become a Packing Guru!
- Shiuology
- Oct 4, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 4, 2019
Packing for a 3-day trip for holiday is always a piece of cake. How about packing for a semester or two? The most nerve-racking part of travelling is luggage. You probably will ask yourself: "How should I start first?" "Oh! Is my luggage over-weight?" "Am I packing the right things?" Although it is already my 5th year studying abroad, I still have moments of self-doubt every time I pack: “Am I doing it right?” From experience, my best advice is to have a systematic formula for packing the suitcases.
1. Double check your baggage allowance
Always double or even triple check your baggage allowance! If you are flying with budget airlines without priority boarding, look through the terms and conditions before you pack. There is a possibility that these airlines will change the baggage allowance between the time you purchase your ticket, and the time you depart. Besides, make sure that your cabin luggage satisfies the airlines' luggage size restrictions! They are very tricky!
If you are travelling with trans-continental flights, airlines such as British Airways and Cathay Pacific allow you to bring a cabin luggage and a backpack on board. Often, the check-in counters at the airports won't check your backpacks, and that means you can, literally, hide the extra weights behind your back!
Some airlines might have a larger baggage allowance for students in discounted prices; Emirates and AirFrance are two of many examples. These airlines could offer students up to around 45 kgs for luggage allowance. For that, you definitely have more room to bring your favourite stuffed toy along.
2. Get Your Orders Right!
For “first-time explorers”, having a grasp of how to start packing could be difficult; therefore, for a time/ cost-saving way of packing; you could refer to this list of priorities and (boring), detailed explanations:
1. Travel first-aid kit and medications
First aid and medication is a MUST, as you will never know when you will get hurt or sick.
2. Things you cannot/ are difficult to buy abroad (of course, I am talking about things that are legal to bring abroad)
To make your life easier, bring along stuff that are difficult to find abroad, it will save you a lot of time and you could use that to familiarise your neighbourhood. Time is Gold!
3. Things that are SUPER expensive if you purchase abroad
Students often live with a tight budget, and often, it is unnecessary for them to spend a large amount of money purchasing things that are exceptionally pricy abroad. If you are an Asian, like me, who have rice as staple food, bring a rice cooker over, as it is always cheaper in your home country! #asian
Trust me, after packing all three items; you will still have plenty of space for your fancy clothes!
3. Always Bring A Piece of Home with You
Living abroad could be tough: being alone, struggling with the language barrier, and having troubles to get around the city. Indeed, it is very easy for exchange students to become homesick. To alleviate that, it is always a clever idea to bring along something that reminds you of home, from a childhood blanket to your beloved stuffed animal, you name it.
It is also a great idea to bring some spices and cooking ingredients from home, such that you could cook your favourite, comfort food when you miss home badly. With a spoonful of Japanese curry, your childhood pillow lying on your bunk bed and some familiar tunes playing in the background, you know you could always make anywhere feel like home.
4. Be Ahead of the Game
Sometimes, accommodation will not provide what you expect! It is always the best to be prepared for what you might need when you arrive. It is very common that university accommodation tends not to provide beddings, and it is best for you to bring along some (possibly 2) duvets, a pillow and a blanket. With that, at least, you could have a good night sleep on your first day of arrival.
Halls or flats in some countries may not provide on-site WIFI. To gain Internet access, bring along an Ethernet cable with you, as you can always connect your computer to the Internet outlet on the wall with it. If you need wireless connection, you can also bring along a router. Nowadays, you can find palm-sized, travel-friendly routers on Amazon. With all that, you can have Internet access to communicate with your parents back home.
5. Be an Early Bird to Fly!
Arriving at the airport earlier is always a golden rule as you will have more spare time to deal with any last-minute mess. Normally, check-in time for international airport is 3 hours, while domestic is 2 hours before departure.
If you find out that your checked luggage is overweight at the airport, and you are travelling alone, try to take out some clothes and jackets and put them in your hand luggage. If you have a friend travelling with you, ask him/ her whether you could put your stuff in his/ her suitcases. (This is what friends are for! I'm joking!)
If your checked luggage is still overweight, you can also wear a few shirts and trousers, put on the heaviest jacket and carry a few heavy folders in your hand to take a few kgs off the luggage. As long as you pass the “ultimate test” from the check-in counter, you are good to go!
If you guys have any other hacks, tips or even experience on travelling abroad for studying, please comment below!
All the best!
Shiuology
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