by Amy Russell, Owens IEC
If there is one thing that can make you crazy about traveling, it is deciding what to pack. You want to have what you need, but you still need to be able to lift your suitcase! Here are some tips to help.
If there is one thing that can make you crazy about traveling, it is deciding what to pack. You want to have what you need, but you still need to be able to lift your suitcase! Here are some tips to help.
- Know the rules. Your teacher will let you know if there are things you absolutely should (or can’t) bring with you. You should also check out the airline regulation for weight and size of your luggage and carry-on before you leave.
- Think about what you will be doing. Look at your itinerary before you even think about packing. Ask your teacher if you aren’t sure about the dress code or weather in the area where you will be traveling. Then start to plan out what you will need to wear and bring. Remember to consider what you will need for each day, as well as how many times you can wear each item and what else it will match. Can you bring just one jacket for the whole trip? What is the smallest number of shoes you can bring, including the airplane ride? Do you need clothes for cold or hot weather? The goal is not to bring every item of clothing you could possibly need for the entire trip. You want to figure out how to make the most appropriate outfits with the smallest number of pieces in your suitcase.
- Be reasonable about what you will need. It can be tempting to try to pack everything you could possibly need. Don’t do it! You want to pack in two categories: things you will absolutely need and things you won’t be able to get at your destination. You know you need the basics (toiletries, clothing, medications, etc.), but beyond that, you want to be careful about the extras you bring. Leave it at home if you find yourself thinking, “But what if [unlikely scenario] happens?” The items you want to pack should make you think “I use this all the time!” or “I want this item specifically for this trip because…”
- Remember who you are. You might do some things when you travel that you would not do at home, but the core of who you are is not going to change in a week or two. If you hate going out to clubs, don’t bring a clubbing outfit. If your feet get sore walking in those shoes, leave them at home. The goal is to bring comfortable, appropriate outfits that reflect who you are. If you can’t imagine yourself doing something and it isn’t on the itinerary, there is no need to bring supplies for it.
- Learn from the pros. It is normal to do research about packing for a special trip. Check out blogs and videos from people who travel a lot, such as Rick Steves or his son, Andy, and consider their advice. Not everything will help you, but it will give you lots of ideas. You can even search online for your specific needs (packing tips for men/women/country X/etc.) to make sure you get relevant advice.
- Special advice from Amy: Bring dryer sheets, Ziploc bags, and sample toiletries. When I travel, I always bring lots of dryer sheets. I store them in my suitcase all the time so it smells good before I pack, and then I put them in my shoes. I never travel with shoes in my suitcase unless they have dryer sheets stuck in them. I also bring lots of Ziploc bags when I travel. I put anything liquid in them during travel, but I also use them to keep small things organized. And as I unpack and use what I brought, I re-use the bags to hold things like dirty socks, to keep them away from the rest of my clothing, and to protect small souvenirs. Finally, I love bringing single-use samples of things like shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer when I travel. I can pick these up for free (instead of paying for a travel container), and they usually come in flat packets, which are great for packing. Then, when I am done using them, I can toss them and bring back fewer things when I return to the US. You know what that means…more room for souvenirs! Happy travels!