How to pack for a semester abroad

I PACKED FOR FIVE MONTHS IN ONE NIGHT

Packing. Some of us hate it. some of us...

Well, actually...I’m almost sure none of us actually “love” packing. But if you’re that one lone wolf who enjoys packing, please, come help me. (No, but seriously)

Personally, the act of packing is somewhat fun to me because it’s a challenge - how much can I fit in this one bag? Will the odds be in my favor? But overall, packing for a long trip can be rather tedious if you’re not sure about:

What your plans will consist of
How nice the weather will be
Which of your favorite products will not be available to you in your host country

Entonces [translation: so]

Part 4 of my study abroad series will be dedicated to my experience with packing. I’ll discuss what I packed, when I packed, and how I packed. Enjoy!

What I Packed:

*I checked two bags (burgundy and polka dot), had one carry-on (black), and a book bag.*

To be quite honest, I think I did a horrible job packing. I waited until the absolute last minute (to be precise: the night before) to pack my bags for Chile. Had I started earlier, I probably wouldn’t have over-packed, but nonetheless, here’s what my suitcase somewhat looked like on the day of the flight.

Clothing:

6 pairs of pants
2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of shorts
Minimal workout gear
Belt & Scarves
Jewelry & Headbands
Undergarments
Jammy jams (1 set of pajama pants)

6 camisoles/tanks
3 old t-shirts
4 cardigans
2 jackets
1 rain jacket + 1 poncho
1 pullover (athletic)
8 short sleeved shirts
6 long sleeved shirts

FOOTWEAR:

Combat boots
Casual sandals
Chaco hiking sandals (greatest purchase ever)
Running shoes
Toms
Ballet flats (I shouldn't have packed these, I didn't wear them)

Toiletries:

If there’s anything that I take seriously, it’s my hair and skin. I planned to bring these staple products with me no matter what because I don't have the time nor patience to experiment with new brands.

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser
Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Astringent
Clean & Clear Essentials Dual Action Moisturizer
Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 (AMAZING for the most unsightly pimples)
Baby wipes (MAJOR KEY)

Creme of Nature Straight out of Eden Hydrating Shampoo
Creme of Nature Straight out of Eden Conditioning Treatment
Dabur Vatika Naturals Deep Conditioning Hair Mask (love this stuff)
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In
Eco-Styler Argan Oil Hair Gel

ELECTRONICS:

Laptop (aka my dinosaur)
Tablet
Adapters & converter
Chargers
Extra camera batteries
Headphones
Flash drive
Mophie iPhone Power Pack (portable chargers are the true key to success)
Wireless mouse

Extras:

Satin pillow cases
Blanket
Ear plugs & eye masks
Peanut butter (another key to success)
Umbrella
Wipes

Books (my Bible & travel guides)
School supplies (because I can't live without felt tip pens)
Journal
Agenda
Gift for host

IN SUMMARY:

Even though I packed at the last minute and it seems like I did a decent job, there is lots of critiquing to be done. There are a few items I forgot to pack. These include: sunglasses, face cloths/wash cloths, reusable grocery bags, a small purse, and a day pack for my camera. Additionally, there are two products that I am SO THANKFUL that I packed.