Packing your life into a suitcase for many months can be challenging and stressful. It can make you feel exhausted and unprepared for the couple of weeks before you leave. While there are many packing lists and tips for planning before your study abroad experience, I am hoping to just highlight a few that made my preparation a little less stressful.
First of all, everyone says it and it continues to be true – pack light. You will shop in your new city, so I think the most important clothing items that you should have in your suitcase are pieces that you can easily layer and use throughout different seasons. It is always beneficial to have dresses and tops that you can wear while it is hot, but also with a jacket once it begins to cool down. I also highly recommend packing cubes. These were a lifesaver for me and helped with organization as well as space!
Overall, I think the most crucial items to focus on are the necessities. From verifying that you have all of the required travel documents to bringing comfortable walking shoes, these are a few pieces that you might not be able to easily find while abroad. Lastly, do not spend too much of your time stressing about what to pack, because you want to enjoy your last couple weeks at home before leaving on this amazing experience.