Alyse Horn, Lions Abroad marketing intern shares her tips on packing for a study abroad program:

Rookie mistake: waiting until the night before you leave to pack. That is exactly what I did before leaving for New Zealand and it took five hours just to find everything. Out of all the things I ended up bringing with me, my Osprey HydraForm Reservoir and Northface hiking shoes were the essential items. 

My Osprey HydraForm Reservoir because I was able to carry up to three litres of water with me during hikes, which really helped during the longer trails. My Northface hiking shoes were vital because they were waterproof and extremely durable. I remember trekking through mud and never gave it a second thought. Some people brought their regular running sneakers with them, and in return ended up with wet socks, so I highly recommend waterproof hiking shoes.

From my wardrobe, flannel was the best thing to bring as well as a warm wool hat. What was nice about the flannel is it was perfect to wear while hiking; never too hot and never too cold. I brought a Northface fleece with me that served the same purpose and literally wore every day. Under Armour base layers were also a big help on those extremely cold days. It provided an extra shell around my body and helped absorb sweat.

A tip I would give to anyone after they are done packing their suitcase: unpack and repack again. There will definitely be clothes that you have packed that will not be worn once on the trip. The clothes will just add extra weight meaning fewer souvenirs can be brought home!