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Planning and packing for beach vacations is an easy task as you only need to pack sunscreen, swimsuit, sandals, sunglasses, etc. and you are all set! But what about studying abroad when you are moving to a new country for 6 months or 2-3 years? Well, this is a complex task without a doubt.
Your university, program alumni, friends, and family members may have plenty of advice and suggestions for you about what should you pack. However, it is often a tough decision to decide what should not be packed. Whether it is about your favorite shampoo or just the emotional trauma of leaving your teddy bear at your home, you cannot simply take everything with you. In this post, we will tell you about the things that you should not pack while going to pursue higher education at an international university.
So, let us get started!
- Do not carry heavy liquids in bottles
Even though you can carry travel-size containers, you can easily find a passable approximation of the toiletries and other essential products you will use in your study abroad nation. If you are absolutely in love with a particular face wash and not having it with you is going to destroy your entire life, then, by all means, keep it but it is not a good way to save some space in your suitcase. Instead of carrying heavy liquids in bottles, keep enough materials i.e. toothpaste, moisturizer, shampoo, etc. for at least your first 3-4 weeks there. It is advisable to pack enough of what you will need while settling in and buy when you run low because after spending almost a month, you will have a good idea of where to go.
- Do not carry more pairs of shoes
When going to study abroad, you will need the following:
- 1 pair of daily footwear
- 1 pair of outdoors/exercise/hiking shoes
- 1 pair of shower footwear
- 1 nicer pair of stylish footwear for an outing or internship
Carrying anything beyond these will probably be over-packing. Instead of keeping all your shoes, it is good to research a bit about the weather conditions of the country. For instance, if the weather is too cold, then carrying a pair of boots is a good idea than keeping sneakers.
- Do not carry culturally inappropriate clothing
When your university campus is situated in an urban area, it is generally not acceptable to attend the classes in flip-flops, sweatpants, hoodies, or shorts. You are an adult and you are expected to dress like one. The same thing goes for internships or part-time job opportunities. If you are willing to be treated as a professional, it is suggested to better dress like one.
- Do not carry books
Even though you are a voracious bookworm, it is advisable not to carry books while going to study abroad. They take up a lot of space and some of them are insanely heavy. Since you will read the books only once or twice, it is good not to pack them. Instead of doing so, you can get them online or kindle versions of the books. You can try different e-book versions to read your favorite book or novel.
- Avoid carrying tons of (unnecessary) electronic gadgets
While packing electronic gadgets, you will need to think strategically about which device you need. Just think twice whether you need a camera, iPod, e-reader, etc.? Or you would be fine with bringing a Smartphone and laptop only? If yes, then do not forget to buy a converter/adapter before leaving. It is also best to invest in a good and high-quality zipper bag or other dependable closure to keep your belongings safe.
- Do not carry lots and lots of snacks or food items
Look, every country has its range of unique snacks. So, you can try some to decide which one suits your taste buds better. To put it simply, do not carry food items or snacks that can easily be available there. Instead, pack spices and other essential cooking supplies that won’t be available there. For instance, you can keep ranch dressing packets or old bay seasoning.
- Do not travel with expensive items
It is extremely important to keep in mind is that there are chances of things getting broken, lost or stolen and even vanishing in customs while you study abroad. So, it is advisable to plan accordingly. Rather than carrying expensive stuff, you can keep photographs of your loved ones and other trinkets to preserve the emotional value. You can also invest in cheap yet functional versions of certain items i.e. wallets, sunglasses, watches, etc. as they will not only consume less space in your bags while studying abroad but won’t break your heart if they get lost or go missing.
Final Words
You can carry some non-essential pieces of your home with you to deal with homesickness. You do not have to cut yourself completely off from the things, people, etc. that are important for you just because you are moving to another place. You can keep some memories with you as they will ease the transition abroad.
Be strategic about the things you bring and the things you leave. But it is important to keep some extra space in your luggage so that you can keep other essentials. To check out more about study abroad, call us on +91-8448446609 or 011-43334444. You can also connect with us by writing and sending your queries at [email protected]. To book your FREE counseling session with our experts.