I’ve always been a notorious over-packer. Even after studying abroad once already and taking multiple backpacking trips, I still can’t seem to learn my lesson, and constituently bring far more than I need, leading me to carry heavier bags than necessary and to struggle with transporting my stuff place to place. As I have started to pack up my stuff to send home prior to my end of semester travels, I have come across plenty of clothing and items that I did not need or use for the entire semester. In order to prevent other students from making these same mistakes in the future, I have compiled a list of things you will and will not need when studying abroad in the (North American) fall semester of the school year.
Do Pack:
Summer Clothes: Although you will be entering Australia in their “winter”, it is not really necessary to bring a ton of warm clothes with you. One sweatshirt/sweater, a raincoat, and small, packable jackets are all great options. I brought one sweatshirt with me that I used for all of my weekend trips further away that got slightly cold at night, but would not recommend needing or bringing anything else, as they can take up a lot of space in your bag. Instead, I would opt for more swimsuits and summer weather shirts, as it will definitely get hot during your time down under and most places you will travel to will be warmer than Sydney is in the early few months. These shirts can also be easily paired with jeans or longer pants, allowing you to use them in all seasons you are here for. I regret not bringing more of these shirts, as they would have been useful throughout my time there.
Good Walking Shoes: As much as I love wearing sandals and slip on shoes, these shoes are not very practical for walking around a lot in. Especially in the first few days in your new home country, you will want to walk around a lot and explore new places. In some places your athletic trainers can work perfectly well for this, such as in New Zealand or Tasmania where there are a lot of walking tracks. However, in bigger cities like Sydney or Brisbane, I recommend bringing a pair of shoes like vans or converse that will fit in with the city and provide your feed with some support while also withstanding all of the miles you are putting on your feet. After five months of walking around in my vans, they have definitely had a number done on them, but I am very grateful to have had them throughout my travels.
Toiletries: Weight definitely becomes an issue when packing to come abroad, but toiletries are something I would definitely recommend bringing. Before leaving your home country, I would invest in your favorite toothpaste, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, hair products etc. Sometimes these can be expensive or difficult to find overseas, which can be difficult if you are used to a specific brand from home. Even if bringing just one supply of these goods will help you feel a little more at home when adjusting to your new living situation. Once they run out, then you can be adventurous with trying new Australian brands. Despite the additional weight, I think it is definitely worth it to pack at least some of these from home.
Packing Cubes: These small containers make packing for six months much easier. What I usually do is roll up all of my shirts, socks, and bottoms into their own respective cubes in order to make everything fit better and to keep my suitcase more organized. When they are empty, they fold up flat, taking up virtually no space once you get to your final destination and unpack. They have also proven as life savers during weekend trips in my backpack, allowing my bag to stay organized for longer and to fit more in a small carryon bag. If you haven’t packed with packing cubes before, they can really make a big different in your suitcase.
Printed Pictures: Printed pictures from your local pharmacy or from a site online take up very little space and really help to make your new room feel like home. It is also fun to show these pictures to your new friends to learn more about your friends and family back home. I brought a couple with me and hung them up on the walls near my bed to make my empty room feel a bit homier.
What Not to Pack:
Winter Clothing: The coldest it got during my time in Australia was around 50-60 degrees (Fahrenheit). Although some nights can drop down cooler, around 40-50 degrees, a sweatshirt and longer pants should be enough to do the job. You definitely won’t need any hats, gloves, scarves, etc. Save some space and instead, opt for bringing or buying an umbrella to protect yourself from the weather and take advantage of layering different tops and jackets.
Too Many Shoes: When I came, I definitely brought too many sandals and boots. Shoes can be heavy in your suitcase, and take up a lot of space in your closet. It would be best to have a pair of sandals, workout/training sneakers, walking shoes, flip flops for hostel showers, and a nice pair of shoes for special occasions. Anything more than that will be heavy to bring and whatever you need that you don’t have you will easily be able to buy from your new host country. I could have saved a lot of space coming here if I had been more stringent with these shoe guidelines.
School Supplies: Wait until you get to your new host country to buy anything for your classes. Notebooks, writing utensils, calculators, and other various supplies can easily be bought once arriving in Australia. This will save you a lot of weight in your suitcase, and even potentially money further down the line, as some of your classes may not require these supplies at all. I recommend waiting until you get to Australia and visiting your local Coles, Kmart, or Target.
Hopefully this will leave your bag freer and your travels lighter!
