How do you pack for weeks, months, a whole year abroad? It’s actually a lot easier than it feels. There are many resources out there to work with, but we’ve compiled some of our most helpful tips to keep your packing efficient and effective for your time abroad!

Hear it from an Alumna: Amanda Hautmann, European Experience.

“Don’t over pack! I know this sounds silly but carrying too much will hinder you while traveling, especially on the weekends. When I was on my program we were doing intense traveling for the first couple weeks which included carrying my almost 40 lb luggage up and down small hostel stairs. I think if I had brought less I would have done better but you also keep space to keep all the things you buy in there too!”

Read more tips from Amanda: Check out her blog! 

Plan ahead!
Familiarize yourself with your airline’s baggage allowance and fees.
Lay everything out BEFORE you start to put it in your luggage.

Toiletries
You can replace just about all of your toiletries when you arrive in England. Save space (and weight) by just taking enough shampoo/conditioner/soap, etc. for the first few days. You can buy the larger quantities when you get there!
If you’re program is only a week or two, you should be able to make do with the travel-size stuff anyway.

Electrical appliances
The current is different in England than the United States and it would be in your favor to get certain new appliances when you get there. Beware! If you use an American blow dryer or hair straightener in England, it will most likely break and no longer be functional. Take a look at the voltage and electricity guides at Voltage Valet to get a better idea of what you will need while you’re abroad. Hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can be bought fairly cheaply when you arrive. I

Medication
THIS IS IMPORTANT! If you take any prescription medications, take it with you and take enough to last you for the duration of your program. Please carry any prescription medications in the prescription bottle with the original label and not mixed into one bag or container! Make sure to bring the prescription with you as well.
Over-the-counter drugs you can probably get when you arrive, but if there’s anything you can’t live without, take it with you! Also learn the generic names for things since they may be different when your arrive. For example you won’t find Advil in the UK but you’ll find Nurofen which has ibuprofen as the active ingredient. Familiarize yourself with the local names before you leave the US so that if you have any questions you can ask your pharmacist or doctor.

*If your program duration is longer than 3 months and you plan on bringing medication into the country, please check the UK Government Controlled Drugs list to see if you need to apply for a license.

Clothes
You need A LOT LESS than you think! To be honest, if you’re only traveling up to 2 weeks, you can probably make do with a carry-on, and you’ll want to because you’ll have to carry that bag with you everywhere you go. When packing your bags for England remember two things.

1. Layers are key! Pack items that you can layer or rearrange to make multiple outfits. This helps you cut down on the items your bring as well as prepare for the many different weather situations you’ll face.

2. Fashion is different! You will most likely want to buy new clothes while you are in the UK (probably new shoes too) because they have items there that they do not have here in the US. Fashion is different everywhere and you may find a number of things you like while abroad. Trust me you’ll want to have room in your bags for your new items.

Also think about what you wear while you are at home. It’s likely that you wear only a small portion of your closet, and rotate items about every 2-3 weeks. You will probably do the same thing while in the UK so try to pack only what you know you will wear. If you are abroad for a semester or longer and you find you really need something you left at home you can buy a new one or have it shipped to you from home. If you are only in the UK for a short while and you’re really worried that you might need something go ahead an pack it but try to pack only what you will absolutely wear.

Check out a great video from Sonya’s Travels on how to pack for study abroad:

Emergency contacts and passwords – that’s right, passwords…
In your checked luggage, carry-on luggage AND wallet put a list of emergency contact names, phone numbers and email addresses. Put more than one on this list and more than one phone number – include a work number, home number, friend number, etc.. Make sure it is written down not just on a laptop, cellphone, tablet, etc. Although it is good to have an emergency contact on your cellphone, remember what happens when the battery dies…
Include with the above a copy of your travel insurance contact phone numbers, policy and assistance details. Keep copies with your passport, hand luggage, checked luggage and with family back home.
ALSO, this is more important than ever now. Before traveling abroad everyone should be sure to provide a list of their laptop, tablet, cellphone, or any other “technology” passwords in case of a serious life emergency. Additionally be sure to provide the same for Facebook, twitter, email, credit cards, etc… so that these can be appropriately accessed by family should some life emergency occur. Keep such listings secure but at the same time remember the need for 24-7 access. You can and should change these after you return home safely if you are worried about sharing your access.

Sample Packing List:

Comfortable walking shoes – you may be on your feet a lot each day! Also it is England and it can be very wet. Maker sure you have some shoes that are waterproof.

Layers are great for long days when the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon, think lightweight shirts, jackets, etc.

Sunscreen and sun hat or hat and gloves, depending on the time of year that you are headed across the pond and where you plan to travel while abroad!

Rain Jacket – they are less clunky than umbrellas and you can keep your hands free!

Small bag to pack in for overnight trips this may be a backpack you carry on the plane with you as your carry-on luggage

Shower shoes for shared showers at hostels – whether staying in a hostel is part of your program or travel plans or not, it’s always good to have a pair of rubber flip flops just in case!

Travel size toiletries you never know where your checked bag may choose to take a side trip and meet you in-country later, so be sure you have some basics to get you through 1-2 days in case your checked luggage gets delayed

Plug adapters- check out an Electricity Guide for England here.

Essential Items – don’t forget these!
Passport
Copy of your passport to carry with you at all times
University Identification Card
Pepto-Bismol/Imodium, Advil, or other over-the-counter drugs, you know your body and what you may need!
Prescription medications: Carry any prescription medications in the prescription bottle with the original label and not mixed into one bag or container!
Personal journal
Laptops/tablets, if necessary

If you bring any of these items with you, put them in your carry-on, NOT your checked bag:

• Camera
• Laptop/tablet
• Wireless headphones, their chargers, or other device chargers
• Outlet plug adapter
• We do not suggest bringing any valuable jewelry or items, but if you must, it is safer to carry them on rather than put them in your checked luggage.

Keep in mind the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry on: 3.4 ounce (100ml) containers in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 zip-top, plastic bag per passenger placed in screening bin.