Packing Tips for High School Students Traveling Abroad
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Traveling abroad can feel like a daunting experience, especially for the first time! Packing everything you need for weeks or a year of travel can feel nearly impossible. But there’s nothing like a well-packed bag to make you feel prepared for new experiences. Here are some essential packing tips to keep in mind when preparing for your high school study abroad program, whichever one you are participating in!
1. Bring A Notebook to Record All Your Experiences
A small notebook and pen or pencil (along with the habit of journaling!) are our first item on this travel essentials list. Regular journaling allows you to record your time abroad, documenting the precious experiences you won't want to forget. You will look back at these years later and remember how you felt in those moments, who you met, and what you saw—all in vivid detail! Journaling also helps you keep a clear mind to learn and is a great tool to lower the stress levels you may face when going through so many new experiences. Your journal will be your companion through your time abroad and provide you with a space to explore your thoughts wherever you are.
2. Don’t Forget Essential Travel Documents
Forgetting something like your tube of toothpaste won’t derail your high school study abroad experience, but forgetting or not having your essential travel documents will not be as easy a fix as going to the drugstore. The most essential travel document is your passport. This may also include your travel itinerary and any forms specific to your study abroad destination. Obtaining a passport, if you don’t have one, or if yours is expired or will expire less than six months after the end of your trip, can at first seem like a daunting process. Luckily, you have access to resources to help you with every step. Read all about how to get your first passport and discover information like what documents you need, where to go, how long it takes, and more.
Pro Traveler Tip: Use a dedicated pouch for your travel documents to keep them organized and easy to locate in your bag!
3. Pack Liquids Appropriately
When traveling on an airplane, remember that containers that hold liquids are limited to 3.4 oz or 100 milliliters in a carry-on bag. Since checked bags have no limit, it’s a good idea to pack full-sized liquids there and travel-size items in your carry-on bag in case your checked luggage is delayed in getting to you after your flight.
Wherever you are going, there will be stores where you can buy essential items you run out of or forget, like toothpaste, shampoo, and first aid supplies. Depending on where you go, it will often be cheaper than at home!
4. Carry Snacks with You
Snacks are essential to avoid "hanger" (anger from being over-hungry) getting in the way of staying present and enjoying your travels. Pack snacks for the plane full of protein and fat, not just sugars, to help you stay fueled for those long flights. Snacks like nuts, dried fruits, protein bars, and a sweet treat or two will do the trick.
5. Leave Space for Souvenirs
If you’re looking for tips for packing light, souvenirs are the ultimate motivator. You will likely acquire new things during your time abroad, like souvenirs, new clothes, books, and more, so leaving a little bit of space in your luggage is a great idea. You don’t need to stress about bringing every obscure thing you might need because you can likely buy it where you're going. Then, when you come back, you will have unique items with a story behind them to share with your friends and family.
6. Think About How You Will Do Laundry
While there are compact, lightweight products you can buy that help you do laundry without needing a machine, CIEE high school study abroad programs give you access to laundromats or in-home laundry where you are staying.
Note that body soap or dish soap is not good for washing clothes. It foams up too much and causes a big mess; stick to laundry detergent. If you're buying before you leave, you can find travel-size packages at superstores or online. Having your laundry smell like home by choosing the same brand of laundry soap you use now can help curb homesickness while you're away.
7. Bring Seasonally Appropriate Clothing
We can’t complete our list without packing-a-suitcase tips–especially when it comes to clothes.
You want to make the most of the small space in your pack, whether you are bringing a backpack or a suitcase. Pack clothes that can be dressed up or down for different occasions. Plain colors without logos or graphics can be worn multiple times without looking like repeat outfits and will keep you from sticking out as a tourist! Accounting for the weather of your location is vital. If you participate in a high school summer abroad program in the Northern Hemisphere, umbrellas and rain boots will probably be unnecessary—however, some locations can surprise you! Packing for multiple seasons is smart if you are traveling for the year or the semester. But keep in mind there are stores where you are going!
8. Final Tip! Make a Packing Checklist
Packing everything you need for several weeks to a year in a place you’ve never been, which might have weather you are not used to, can be stressful. Use these study abroad packing tips to create your own packing checklist. This will give you peace of mind and help you remember what’s important—like your travel documents —and less critical – like packing every item of clothing you have. These tips can also help you decide which high school study abroad program you want to pursue.
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