Alexandra Goodin, ’25, is a Psychology major and Spanish minor studying abroad at Nebrija University in Madrid this Fall 2023.
Now that my study abroad experience has come to an end (a very bittersweet one), I have definitely learned a lot of lessons. I learned how to improve my language skills, navigate foreign public transport, save money on flights by taking an overnight bus, and, above all, how to pack. Between packing for my three months in Madrid, and for all the weekend trips I took, I feel like I have a pretty good sense of what is necessary and what is not for study abroad. So, here’s my list for all of you!
5 Things to Pack
A Journal
Even if you have the best memory in the world, you’re not going to be able to remember every single detail of your study abroad experience. I would highly recommend bringing a travel journal or having some other way to document at least the most important and meaningful parts of your study abroad experience. If you’re not a paper-and-pencil kind of person, for example, start a digital journal on your laptop. Or, start a blog like me! I may have just finished my study abroad, but I’m already happy to be able to look back on my thoughts and experiences from those first couple weeks of my time in Madrid, and I know I’ll be happy to have these documented memories for years to come.
A luggage scale
Packing to come home from study abroad is a challenge, as you always seem to have way more stuff than when you started. If you don’t want to have to pay the ridiculous fee for an overweight bag, I suggest buying a luggage scale. My mom got me a very compact, lightweight one to bring with me, which was a saving grace when my roommate and I were packing to come home. It was how we discovered that her suitcase was just slightly overweight, and allowed her time to move things around in the stress-free environment of our apartment instead of in the airport with people waiting.
Sturdy shoes
No matter where you go for study abroad, you’re likely going to be doing a lot of walking. Sure, bring the cute shoes for when you want to go out, but make sure you have some sturdy shoes that will allow you to explore whole cities to your heart’s content. I wore my platform Converses and my Nikes a lot, but I’ve also heard that Hoka is a great brand for sneakers, among others!
Medication
It can be really hard to get medication of any kind while you’re abroad, especially certain prescriptions. If you’re on any prescription medications that you know you will, or even think you might, need while abroad, talk to your doctor so that they can hopefully give you enough for your entire time away. It’s much simpler than trying to deal with foreign pharmacies.
Plug converters
Last but not least, definitely make sure you have plug converters. Most, if not all, foreign countries do not have the same outlets as the US, so definitely make sure to look into that before you leave if you don’t want to have to find new chargers. Also, if there are other countries you’re definitely planning on visiting while abroad, look into what kind of outlets they have, too – I personally was able to use the plug converter I bought for Spain in all the other places I visited, but I have some friends who ran into trouble when visiting the UK, for example.
5 Things to Leave Behind
Most of your wallet
Chances are, you’re not going to need your car insurance or SEPTA cards while studying abroad. I also only brought one credit card – one that didn’t charge to convert transactions from euros to dollars (another thing to look into!). I would recommend leaving any cards you don’t need at home – they’re safer there anyways. Additionally, if you’re used to carrying around a big, bulky wallet like me, consider buying a smaller one for ease of travel. Linking the one I used below!
Unnecessary hygiene products
Unless you’re really attached to your skincare or hairstyling routine, leave all of those products at home. Same goes for shampoo, conditioner, menstrual products, etc. They’ll only take up more room in your bag that could be used for clothes or souvenirs! I did bring some hair gel and curl cream personally, but found shampoo, conditioner, and face wash once I got to Madrid. They were easy enough to use for three months, and then get rid of before I came back!
Sheets/towels
If you’re staying with a host family, sheets and towels should be provided to you, and if you’re in your own apartment and these things aren’t provided, I would still recommend buying them. Sheets and towels can take up a lot of precious space in a suitcase, and it’s easy enough to find cheap ones wherever you are to use for your time abroad.
Clothes you REALLY care about
Especially if you’re with a host family and not doing your own laundry, I would suggest to not bring your favorite clothes. The washing/drying customs can be different in different countries, and clothes can also just be lost. So, just don’t bring any clothes that you would be devastated to see go. Especially since you can only fit so many in your suitcases, you’re probably going to be tired of the clothes you brought by the time you’re done, and depending on how worn they are, you might even end up getting rid of some to make room for souvenirs on your way back (yes, I am speaking from experience here). You’re also probably going to do some shopping there, too! So, don’t worry – cute outfits are still possible, I promise!
Hair dryers/heat styling tools
In addition to the fact that they take up room in your suitcase (yes, that is a theme here), American hair dryers and other heat styling tools are not always compatible with other countries’ outlets, even with plug adapters, because of the differences in voltage. So, definitely look into that before packing your curling iron, but maybe also consider buying a cheap one there or just rocking your natural hair! I definitely got more creative with my hair styles after not having a flat iron for three months.
Bonus item: Expectations
Yes, it’s cheesy, and also easier said than done, but try to leave any expectations behind as soon as you step off that plane. I’ve talked about this more in-depth in a previous blog, but it’s very easy to go into study abroad with a certain picture in your head of what your experience will look like; which, oftentimes, only sets you up for disappointment later on. Try to go into your time abroad with an open mind and heart, even when it’s scary and unknown. I can wholeheartedly say that I had my best moments when I let go of what I expected and let myself just live in the moment. Some things will be better, some will be worse, and some will just be different. And that’s all okay!
That concludes my advice on what to bring and what to leave at home for your study abroad, which also means the end of my blog posts and my own study abroad experience! I’ve greatly enjoyed writing this blog over the last three months to share my stories and opinions with you all, as well as to have for myself to look back on. I hope you all have learned something or simply just had fun reading. Thank you so much!