Your Packing Dilemmas: Solved!

The more you travel the more tips you find yourself picking up about how to pack light and stay organized. Below you'll find a few of the problems we have encoutered ourselves and some pretty good solutions to go along with each. 

If you find yourself in the middle of a packing nightmare or need some help with problems that we haven't addressed below, feel free to email Global Studies and we'll take on the challenge of trying to solve your packing dilemma. 

Jewelry

When deciding what jewelry to pack, one of the first things you should ask yourself about each item is, “will I cry if I lose it?” If your answer is yes, we highly recommend that you leave it at home. Looking cute isn’t worth accidently losing your Grandma’s bracelet or your high school graduation necklace.

• Problem: Tangled Necklaces
• Solution: Invest in box of bendy straws and slip your necklace through the straw, fastening the clasp. Depending on the length of the necklace, you can easily cut the straw to make it an appropriate size.

• Problem: Earrings and Rings and How to Store Them
• Solution: Head to the hardware section of a store and pick up a small plastic organizer normally intended for screws. It will not only help keep your earrings  and rings organized, but it’s also a great way to prevent losing them somewhere in your over-stuffed suitcase, or worse…the floor of a hostel.

Shoes

• Problem: Dirty Shoes in a Clean Suitcase
• Solution: If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel before we’re sure that you’ve made your own collection of free toiletries, including shower caps. Not only can shower caps be used to keep your hair dry, they’re also perfect for packing shoes and keeping your clothes protected. Just remember which shower caps are for your shoes and not your hair!
   
• Problem: Cobblestones
• Solution: Cobblestone streets may be beautiful, but they can do some serious damage to your shoes. When deciding what shoes to bring with you, opt for wedges over pumps. Shoes with pointy heels tend to get stuck in the cracks of the cobblestones and will scuff your shoe after just one night. Wedges on the other hand will allow you to navigate the streets without wobbling around the cracks or having that embarrassing moment where your shoe gets stuck in the sidewalk.