Packing list 

Let's start with a very basic packing list. These are the exact numbers that I bought for my clothes. I could fit this and all my necessities into one intermediate-size suitcase and a carry-on. I highly recommend packing light.  

Lightweight Tops: 

• T-shirts (3-5) 

• Tank tops (3-5) 

• Blouses for more formal occasions (2) 

Bottoms: 

• Shorts (5) 

• Skirts (2) 

• Jeans or trousers (2) 

• Active clothing (2)  

• Comfy pants (1) 

Dresses: 

• Sundresses (1) 

• Casual dresses (1) 

• One or two formal dresses for special events (1) 

Outerwear: 

• Light jacket (1) 

• Cardigan or sweater for cooler evenings (2) 

• Waterproof jacket or coat (1) 

Undergarments: 

• Underwear (14 minimum) 

• Bras (3) 

• Socks (4-8) 

• Sleepwear (2 sets) 

Footwear: 

• Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers (1-2) 

• Sandals or flip-flops for casual wear (1-2) 

• Dress shoes for formal occasions or nights out (1) 

Swimwear: 

• Bikinis or swimsuits (1) 

• Beach cover-up or sarong (0-1) 

Accessories: 

• Sunglasses (optional) 

• Sunhat or baseball cap (1) 

• Jewelry (keep it minimal) 

• Belt (1) 

Active Wear: 

• Workout clothes 

• Sports bras 

• Athletic shoes 

When I say pack light, I mean to pack enough clothes to last a week and a half aboard. Now that you have an essential packing list let me explain why I brought this amount.  

SNACKS, SNACKS, SNACKS! Don’t forget to pack snacks in your carry-on or backpack. Grabbing your favorite snacks before going through security is way cheaper than after. 

Shopping While Abroad

Going to a new country has another set of challenges, one of them is that the other country might have a different style from what you’re used to back home. While studying abroad and staying in another country for an extended amount of time, it was important to me that I had appropriate clothes for the style here in Australia. Buying certain things in the U.S. like swimsuits that were less in stock would not be wise because it was the off-season back home. But in Australia, January is the summer, so they have tons of swimwear. Because of this, I actively bought clothes for this trip if they were necessary. I decided to do this because I knew I wanted to buy what was trending in Australia.  

What to Buy In Australia

• Sunscreen 

• Swimsuits 

• Swim cover-ups  

• Flip-flops 

• Toiletries  

What To Buy In The States

• Skincare 

• Favorite toiletries brands that are expensive and you can't live without! 

• Power adaptor 

• Power bank  

Things I Do NOT Recommend Buying

• Bedding: pillow, pillowcase, washcloths, towels, blankets, sheets  

• Basic kitchen supplies: plates, cups, silverware, bowls, pots, pans, spatula, garbage, and recycling cans 

   

Pro tip: If you have more than an hour in the airport, try finding a lounge or excellent place to sit instead of waiting at the gate. 

Tips And Tricks

Alright, so now here are some tips and tricks. I found the best way to pack, and research is by talking with others, searching for videos for packing abroad, and reading other blogs. Here is what I recommend:  

• Packing cubes:  

• This makes life easier in figuring out how to pack and how much you have without your suitcase becoming disordered 

• Packing one or two outfits into your carry-on suitcase 

• Commit to rolling or folding your clothes; this will save you space 

• Bring lots of snacks for the trip over 

• One backpack (for school), one carry-on suitcase, one 1XL suitcase. 

• Tie a bandana around your checked luggage to quickly identify which bag is yours 

• Bring a book 

Biggest Tip That Saved Me In Packing

I recommend packing your intermediate suitcase in your largest suitcase. Why? You will buy tons of things in Australia, and if you stick to the packing list I provided, you can pack everything in an intermediate-sized suitcase and then stick that into the biggest bag you have. This way, you will not have to worry about how much you buy. You do not have to buy a whole extra suitcase abroad to ship things back to the States. This trick will also save you money.

Alright, that's it! Thanks for coming along and enjoying a few of my tips and tricks that made my travels a lot easier and hopefully will help you plan for your time abroad.