Now that you know how much you
can pack, let's go over what
you SHOULD pack!
To help you stay within your baggage
limit, we've compiled a few Do's and Dont's when it comes to
packing, as well as some recommendations about clothing, shoes and
toiletries.
The Do's:
- DO remember to pack your textbooks for your classes (find your
book list on the Accepted
Students page)
- DO consider purchasing e-books to save space in your
suitcases
- DO pack guidebooks or our personal favorite - Rough
Guides
- DO purchase and pack necessary adapters/convertors (make sure
you know the difference)
The Dont's:
- DON'T pack linens, towels, or pillows (provided at all St.
John's sites or hotels)
- DON'T packexpensive jewelry or valuables
- DON'T pack cash- please carry any valuables or money on your
person
Clothing
Layer! Layer! Layer! The best way to take advantage of the limited
space in your suitcase is to pack clothing that can be easily
layered. For anyone participating on a semester-long program, it’s
important to remember that you’ll need to pack for multiple
seasons. Most semester programs last about four months, which means
that you will need to have clothing for both warm and cold weather.
Don’t Leave Home Without:
- One awesomely warm winter jacket
Shoes
The amount of walking you will be doing during your time abroad is
guaranteed to take a serious toll on your shoes. If you aren’t sure
which shoes to pack and which to leave at home, check out the short
list of necessities we’ve made below. *A good tip to keep your
luggage weight low is to wear your heaviest pair of shoes during
flight travel.
- One indestructible pair of walking shoes
- Sandals for the shower
- Cold weather shoes (Limit to one pair)
- “Night Out” shoes (Limit to one pair)
If you decide to bring any additional shoes apart from the short
list above, make sure that you will wear them often enough to make
them worth the space and weight in your suitcase.
Bags
Packing a great weekend bag is essential! The last thing you want
to do is drag your giant suitcase around for a trip that only last
3 days. When choosing a weekend bag, you should check budget
airline requirements such as Ryan Air to find out what their
carry-on luggage restrictions are. This way you can avoid paying
checked bag fees and travel light at the same time!
- Quick Tip for the Ladies:When deciding what type of purse to
bring, opt for a cross-over bag with a zipper. It's the best way to
avoid falling victim to having anything stolen.
Toiletries
People all over the world wash their hair and brush their teeth, so
you won’t have any trouble finding toiletries abroad. However, if
you do choose to pack some toiletries , remember
that you won’t need to pack your toiletries for your flight back
home, which will leave some room for souvenirs that you may pick up
during your travels.
Technology
Double and triple check that you’ve packed not only your camera,
but your camera charger! Nothing is worse in the mind of a study
abroad student when they realize they can’t take the million
pictures they planned on taking. In addition to your
camera and it’s charger, here are a few other
things that you should pack:
- Adapters/Convertors
- Laptop/Charger
- MP3 Player/Charger
- Cell Phone
- USB/Photo Back Up
Miscellaneous
There are always little things that everyone tends to forget, so
we’ve compiled a small but useful list of a few things you may not
have thought of.
- Zip-Lock bags: They are lifesavers!
- Umbrella: Rainy Days are Universal
- Re-Usable Shopping Bag: Eco Friendly and a Money Saver!(Many
European grocery stores charge for plastic bags)