This Is Your Traditional "What should I bring, and not bring, while studying abroad?" Post

Reasons for studying abroad can vary from wanting the "prestige" associated with attending a foreign university to desiring an opportunity to expand your worldview -- see the provided graph by Nina Maadad, an independent researcher at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Whatever the reason, however, while studying abroad, everyone is susceptible to the woes of packing and repacking, as well as the transitional phase into a new culture and the transitional phase out of it. When my final term at Oxford came to an end, me and the rest of my chronically sleep-deprived friends gathered in a small pub to look back on our year in various degrees of embarrassment and amusement.

As a collective, we gathered practical lists of things

we wished we had done, known, or still wanted to fit into our schedule. Although I was unable to fit everything in before my time in the UK was up, my sentiments regarding what I wished I’d known, or want others to know, before arrival in Oxford remained, of which I’ve taken to expressing below. 

 

1)        Things to Bring 

 

- Power Strip: Packing a power strip will save you from having to buy multiple adaptors, which can be extremely expensive -- especially if they are “universal” converters. 

 

- An Extra Carry-On Bag: You will undoubtedly buy something (or several things) you want to take home with you while abroad. Save yourself the stress of trying to figure out how many of your possessions you will have to abandon at the end of your trip by simply tucking an extra carry-on bag into your checked luggage ahead of time – I  promise you it’s cheaper than shipping any items back. 

 

If you don’t need the bag (huge props to you), simply tuck it right back into your suitcase. After all, you will not be able to simply replace those objects and the memories attached to them in your home country. 

 

- CLOTHES: Contrary to popular belief, bring more clothes than you think you might need; leave behind more shoes instead. When traveling, you are bound to soil more of your clothes than you think, and you do not want to be doing your laundry every other day because you thought packing less was more. 

 

 

2.        Things to Leave Behind at Home

 

- Toiletries: Liquids weigh A LOT. Please don’t make the mistake of packing them in your carry-on; you can replace them after you land. 

 

- Irreplaceable Valuables: Any valuables you aren’t comfortable with the idea of losing, simply leave behind. I, for one, am still a little bitter about the possibility that my great aunt’s enamel bracelet she bought during her travels as a teacher, is sitting in some London runoff.

 

- HAIRDRIERS, CURLERS, STRAIGHTERS: Each country has a different means of managing its electricity and its voltage. Even if you have a converter, any hair appliances, or an adaptor, will fry at the touch of any voltage that is higher than the amount they were crafted to sustain. Save yourself some money and leave your favorite blow-dryer at home.

 

3.        Things to Consider Pre-Flight 

 

- Know the Schedule of the City You Will Be Living In: Sounds odd, I know, but stores and public operations close at different times on different days in each country. You will save yourself a lot of frustration if you know whether groceries will be available to you after 10 p.m. on Sunday, or not. 

 

- FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR COUNTRY’S PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. 

 

- Immigration Restrictions: I suggest taking a look at the “Before you Go” sections on the U.S. Department of State’s website. After all, immigration restrictions are always changing, and they DO NOT wait until you get into your country of destination or origin. 

 

 

At the end of the day, you won’t be able to completely, truly, be able to prepare for the experience that is studying abroad. On some days,  you will be pleasantly surprised by yourself and disappointed in yourself at other times. You’ll be tested, and you’ll find moments of true rest. All of it, however, unlike your belongings, cannot be left behind or completely brought back home with you. As such, be graceful with the fragile moments you have and appreciate their splendor to their fullest extent. 

 

Much love, 

Wren 

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I'd welcome any and all questions, concerns, or thoughts in the comment section below this post. Simply type in your feedback and press Enter. Alternatively, you can reach me personally at chynzie611@gmail.com.