What NOT to Pack for Study Abroad
While so many students ask us what to pack for a study abroad semester, not many ask what they don’t need to pack so ASA is here to help you determine what to leave at home!
Here are 8 things you don’t need to pack or can you can purchase while you’re abroad.
1. High Heels and Suits/Tuxedos
A couple of items you definitely don’t need to bring abroad are high heels and suits/tuxedos. The former may seem less obvious than the latter, but it’s true. Your feet and body will thank you for this. There are ways to look professional or dress up for a nice evening out without breaking an ankle or looking too over the top, even for European or Latin American culture.
2. Purchase These While You’re Abroad!
There are also a ton of things that you can purchase once you’re already abroad. You’ll probably want to do some shopping anyway, so wait until you arrive to buy full-sized toiletries (or toiletries in general), even blankets can be purchased upon arrival.
Important Tip: DON’T BRING SHEETS OR TOWELS unless the ASA website specifies those are needed for your host city.
3. Storage and Decorations
All storage bins and decorations are unnecessary. You’ll have plenty of storage space, and while it’s nice to have some photos of family and friends while abroad, you don’t need an entire wall full of framed pictures. If you love holiday decorations, get some when you arrive that you can toss before you return!
4. Expensive Items!
Another tip is to leave all expensive items, such as jewelry and expensive handbags, at home. We know it can be difficult to leave some staple accessories behind, but it’s better to find them when you come back than to either lose them or have them stolen while abroad.
5. Leave behind knives, mace, and pepper spray
These things may be illegal in other countries!
6. Don’t pack excessive amounts of clothing.
You’ll want to shop when you get there, we promise! There are tons of site-specific fabrics and designs for which you’ll want to have room in your suitcase.
7. Only bring a little American money for airports when you leave from and land in the U.S.
Majority of your time abroad, you won’t need American money - because you’re not in America!
8. No Textbooks!
This doesn’t mean you’re not going to class. For school supplies, you only need to bring a notebook, pens/pencils, a planner if you want, and maybe flashcards, because, fun fact, some countries don’t sell flashcards. The rest of your school supply items you can buy once you’ve arrived in your host country.