Hello, hello! My name’s Mallory, and I’m currently in my third year at UC Berkeley. As I write this, I’m far, far away from Berkeley’s campus in Reykjavík, Iceland—where I’m studying abroad for the Fall 2024 semester at the University of Iceland. Because of this, I think I have a pretty good sense of what you should and shouldn’t bring for your time abroad! So let’s get into it—
DO- consider the climate of your host city
I know, this one seems obvious. However, this is hugely important to consider and will be the biggest factor in your packing. If you’re going somewhere with a colder climate, you’ll need to prioritize bringing bulkier, warmer sweaters and jackets, as well as other items for layering. This means that you may not be able to bring as many items in your bag as you were planning! Because of this, you should prioritize basics—items which you’ll get a lot of use out of and wear repeatedly!
DON’T- rush out to buy a whole new wardrobe
Bring staple items from home that you know you’ll wear. It’s already stressful enough to be in a new place immersed in a completely different culture, so bring items that you feel comfortable in! It can be tempting to want to buy a lot of new clothes for your trip, but remember that you’ll probably go out shopping while you’re there! Buy anything that may be difficult or expensive for you to get in your host country, but wait to source other items while you’re already abroad because it may turn out that you don’t actually want them!
DO- pack important documents, prescriptions, and anything else you cannot buy abroad
You’re of course going to be bringing your passport and other forms of ID with you, but remember to also bring important documents pertaining to your university, study abroad program, insurance, visa, etc. I printed out my university’s exchange student acceptance letter as well as a confirmation of my residence permit, and I was asked to show both of them when I arrived at the airport! Also take care to order enough medication to last you your entire time abroad in case you can’t source your prescriptions while you’re away!
DON’T- expect to bring everything you want
Unfortunately, you’ll probably be limited to stuffing all your things in a suitcase or two, so you’ll have to limit yourself to the essentials when you first begin packing. Then, with any leftover space, you can begin adding in the nonessential items. It can feel overwhelming at first, but if you start packing early, you’ll find it’s not too tricky!
DO- consider your creative outlets
Though you should be prioritizing packing light, it’s still incredibly important to make space for those nonessential items which can help you feel more comfortable while away. Some items might include: a camera, a sketchbook, an ereader tablet, etc. I chose to bring crochet hooks, watercolors, and a journal. It may be a good idea to bring a book for that first day of travel, but try not to bring more than one. Books are incredibly heavy and take up a lot of space in your luggage! Opt to buy more books once you’re in your host country, or choose to read them online to save on space.
DON’T- bring too much food
Of course, it’s a good idea to bring something to eat at the airport or on your flight. As someone with food restrictions, I always make sure to bring snacks for my plane rides in case I can’t eat the on-board meals! But when it comes to packing food, don’t bring more than you’ll need for your first day of travel. It can be tempting to bring familiar favorites from home, but the truth is that they can take up a lot of space in your luggage, not to mention that one of the great benefits of studying abroad is trying the local cuisine! Exceptions to this might include spices or sauces which you can’t find in your host country (if you plan on cooking a lot of your own meals while away). Ultimately, this is a judgment call—just try not to sacrifice essentials in order to pack food!
DO- bring school supplies
Again, this sounds obvious, but remember to take this into account when you’re considering how much luggage you’re bringing. Electronics like laptops, tablets, and portable chargers can be heavy, and they take up a lot of space. These should be brought with you on the plane either as your personal items or in your carryon luggage. I used my backpack as my personal item, and stored my electronics and pens, pencils, calculator, etc. in there. When it came to supplies like notebooks and folders, I opted to buy those abroad to save on space.
Hopefully some of these tips will help you as you consider studying abroad! It may seem daunting to pack up your life and move to a new country, but remember that there’s no one right way to go about it. Bring as many or as few things from home as you need to feel safe and comfortable while you’re away!