Jessie Auclair, from Virginia Tech, shares some useful items to pack for Studying Abroad. She writes:
You have applied to a study abroad program and you have recently been accepted. Now the question is what should you pack? You may be studying abroad for several weeks or months so it is important to make sure you have everything you will need.
Below are four items to pack that will come in handy while you are studying abroad:
Zip-Off Pants
Zip-Off Pants
These are cargo pants that have a zipper that runs horizontally across the lower thigh. You can unzip the sleeves off of the pants and convert them into shorts. The pants are comfortable and give you pocket room for items you may not want to leave in your hostel or on the bus. When you study abroad the temperatures you experience can change overnight, so it is important to pack for both summer and winter weather. These pants will give you more room in your suitcase because instead of packing both pants and shorts all you have to pack is 1-2 pairs of zip-off pants.
Thermal Underwear
Thermal Underwear
Remember, when it is summer in the US it is actually winter in the South Pacific, so the weather definitely can get cold especially at night. Thermal underwear is light but can keep you very warm. Thermal underwear is also good for layering up to stay warm. Like the Zip-off pants, thermal underwear will also help to save space in your suitcase as it is not as bulky as other winter gear.
Reusable Utensils
Reusable Utensils
For some study abroad programs you may have to pack lunch and eat it on the go (review your program itinerary for more information about what to expect). You may not always be near a restaurant or have access to utensils. By packing reusable utensils you will always have them when you need them and it is also more beneficial for the environment to reuse them instead of disposable plastic utensils.
Hydrazation Pack
Hydration pack
A hydration pack is essentially a small backpack that contains a pouch for water. These pouches come in different sizes and can hold different amounts of water; some can even hold 3 liters. The hydration pack allows you to hold a lot of water so that you do not have to worry about constantly refilling your water bottle. Also, because you wear the pack on your back you are less likely to lose or misplace it. Most packs come with a zippered compartment so you can even carry important items with you like a wallet or keys.
There are many items you may want to pack when you study abroad but these are just a few items that can help improve your study abroad experience. The items above can be found in many different stores under various brand names so it is important to find the one that best suits your needs. Whether you choose to use these items or not, make sure you follow the packing list provided by AUIP and include items that will keep you warm, comfortable, and hydrated on your study abroad journey. But remember to also pack light!
