Must-Haves and Can-Skips when Packing for Your Study Abroad

Bhavika Choudhary, ’28, is a Computer Science major studying at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) this Fall 2024.

Preparing for a study abroad term can be exciting yet daunting, especially when it comes to packing. Here’s a guide based on my experience doing a term abroad in Daejeon, South Korea to help you make the most of your luggage space and avoid common pitfalls.

Essentials to Pack

1. Electronics: Bring your laptop, mobile phone, and any personal electronics you rely on. These are crucial for both academics and staying connected.
2. Documents and Paperwork: Don’t forget to pack important documents such as your passport, visa, admission letters, insurance details, and any other paperwork necessary for your stay. Pro Tip: Bring some passport sized photographs. You might need photos for some paperwork, and you would want to avoid the extra hassle of going out of the way to find a place to get them.
3. Medicines: If you have specific medications, it’s often better to bring them from home. Even though medications might be cheaper in your destination country compared to the US, they sometimes come in different quantities or dosages abroad. For example, in South Korea, I found that some over-the-counter medicines were available in smaller doses than what I was used to.
4. Tech accessories: Bring any necessary adapters for your electronics. When coming to South Korea, I brought Apple’s travel adapter that allows me to use my MacBook and iPhone charger here, but I unfortunately forgot to account for a proper adapter for my blow-dryer. Also, if your destination country uses a voltage different from what is typically used in the US, you might want to look into buying a voltage converter.

Clothing Tips

Weather can vary widely depending on where you are studying. For instance, in South Korea, from September to December, the weather ranges from mild to cold. To adapt, I packed a mix of summer and winter clothes. It’s also a good idea to leave some space in your luggage for local shopping—most destinations have stores with stylish and affordable clothing. Remember to pack versatile items that you’ll definitely use and avoid over-packing things you might not need, like multiple pairs of shoes.

What to Leave Behind

1. Toiletries: High-quality toiletries are often available locally. There’s no need to pack large quantities of shampoo, body wash, or other personal care items; you can buy these once you arrive.
2. Excess Items: Consider leaving behind items that you can purchase or borrow at your destination. This approach helps you save luggage space and weight. Additionally, keep your jewelry minimal and avoid bringing expensive items that could be lost or stolen.
3. Excess Clothing: Avoid packing clothes that you might not wear often. Focus on versatile, essential pieces rather than bringing a lot of options. Many places have affordable and fashionable clothing, so you don’t need to overpack, especially if you already plan on shopping at your destination.

Packing Tips

1. Roll Your Clothes: Rolling your clothes, especially using the ranger roll technique, can save a surprising amount of space and helps prevent wrinkles.
2. Use Compression/Packing Cubes: If you are going abroad during the winter, I highly recommend getting some compression cubes for packing your puffer jackets (and other clothes generally). Compression cubes remove the air from your clothes so that they take up much less space in your bags.
3. Use a Weighing Scale: A tiny luggage scale is a handy tool to avoid surprises at the airport and ensure your bags are within weight limits.
4. Make a Checklist: Start creating a checklist a few weeks in advance. You’ll have time to remember additional items you might need and make sure nothing important is left behind.

I hope these tips will help you ensure a smoother start to your term and allow you to make the most of your time abroad. Happy packing!

Published by Bhavika Choudhary

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