My Study Abroad Packing Must-Haves

What I'm so grateful for packing and what I wish I had brought with me.

The days leading up to my departure I was baffled by what I should and should not bring for my 6-month adventure to the UK. I had studied abroad in high school but only for a month, never for an entire semester. I went back and forth between dumping what looked like my entire closet into my suitcase and putting everything back in defeat as I realized how heavy it was. Finally, January 6th arrived and I was embarking on a 24-hour journey to Norwich, UK for the spring 2020 semester. In the time that I was there I came to realize what were the must-haves in my suitcase, what I wish I had brought with me, and what I could have left at home..

Wardrobe Staples

I love fashion and clothing, I understand how difficult it is to pack for such a long time not knowing what occasions might call for that random garment that you wear once a year. I was going to be there from the winter into the early summer so I was concerned about the seasonal range but it turns out that the weather in Norwich is so much more pleasant in the winter than what I'm used to in Upstate, NY. It was chilly when I arrived but did not snow and barely rained (but when it rained it poured down heavily). The number one thing that I wore while I was there was my puffer coat, it kept me warm and protected from the elements and it was navy blue so it went with everything. In almost every picture I am wearing this coat. One thing I forgot to bring but was a life changer once I bought a new pair there was stylish but comfortable sneakers. I had brought workout sneakers and rain boots but neither of these were great for a day out in the city or going to class. Something simple, that goes with every outfit but is still super easy to walk in was a must-have. My third wardrobe staple was a black turtle neck because I could dress it up for a fancy dinner or dress it down for class while still looking chic and staying warm.

Practical Items

The power outlets in the UK are different from the ones in the US so I needed an adapter to charge my phone or computer. The adapters I packed absolutely came in handy however the only problem was that they were bulky and if I was traveling I could not use them on the busses or trains. I finally purchased an actual UK charger so that I could charge my phone anywhere with ease and this was a game changer. Not only was it easy to pack, but it was also easy to use in transit from one place to the next and now I have something to use when I go back. Another must-have item that I wish I had brought but will be placing high on my packing list for my return to the UK is a portable charger. Being in a new place it was my inclination to take lots of pictures, post on instagram and other social media platforms, however this quickly drained my battery and for the days when I was out until the even I ran into the issue of my phone dying on me with no way to charge it. A portable charger will help me to avoid this situation again.

Snacks

When I first arrived to UEA's campus it was already dark out, I hadn't slept in over 30 hours and of course I was unfamiliar with the surrounding area let alone the campus. I did not know where to get food and groceries especially for those first few days before my other flatmates arrived. One of the best decisions I ever made was to bring two boxes of Oatmega bars, essentially meal replacement bars that gave me energy and kept me full until I finally got to a grocery store to pick up snacks and real food. These were great because I could also throw a few in my bag when I was traveling or on the go and I would always have something to eat.

Home Comforts

I didn't want to use suitcase space to bring too many things from home that I did not need but I still wanted to make my new dorm room feel warm and inviting. I packed a few pictures of my family and friends to hang up on my wall. It wasn't until I got to my room in the Ziggurats that I found out I had an enormous cork board on the wall perfect for hanging up pictures. Over the course of the 3 months I was there I added new posters and pictures to the wall that reminded me of my time abroad. I packed one of my smallest stuffed animals, a fuzzy dinosaur that comforted me and gave my room a cozy vibe. I had also just bought three small crystals before departing that I brought with me for luck and protection. These things are not essentials to everyone but they were important to me as well as made my room look colorful and homey.