The List You’ve Been Waiting For: The Study Abroad Packing List
Packing for four months? Really? This is something that I’ve known that I’ve had to do for a while now, but it’s definitely been one of the parts of my study abroad experience that I’ve been dreading. No matter how many lists I’ve made or looked up on the Internet, nothing really seemed to ease the overwhelming feelings I got when I realized that I was leaving in less than a week and hadn’t yet started to pack.
I am proud to say that I managed to fit most of my items in just one carry on travel backpack. After doing a lot of research over winter break, I found the Aeronaut 45 travel bag by Tom Bihn, which I got for Christmas and absolutely love (I was pretty much sold after reading about how this blogger packed for one month of backpacking in this bag.).
So here it is – my packing list for four months in Sevilla, Spain! Here’s my list of what I fit inside my travel bag (mostly by using Tom Bihn packing cubes), as well as the few items I’ve put in my relatively empty suitcase and my purse.
Clothing and Accessories:
Large Packing Cube:
- 3 T-shirts
- 3 nice T-shirts (white, black, turquoise) (These cheap ones from Amazon*
are great!) - 3 nice tank tops (lacy black, Carolina blue, burgundy)
- 2 tunics (black and white pattern and turqouis)
- 1 chambray top
- 2 sweaters (thin black striped and white)
- 2 cardigans (black and pink) (These J. Crew Cardigans* are my favorites!)
- 1 black dress
- 2 pairs of jeans (Joe’s Jeans* are so comfy and perfect for travel!)
are great!)
Small Packing Cube 1:
- 2 pairs of Nike running shorts*
- 1 pair of jean shorts
- 1 pair of fun patterned shorts
- 1 black maxi skirt
- 3 skirts (black and white striped, orange patterned, and tribal patterned)
- 1 pair of long black leggings
Small Packing Cube 2:
- 2 pairs of tights (black and tan) (Instead of buying regular tights, I love to buy these dance tights* because of their thickness and ability to lift up the foot part and wear socks too.)
- 2 pairs of long socks
- 3 pairs of white socks
- 1 white cami
- 3 sports bras
- 14 pairs of underwear
Toiletries:
- Travel sized hand sanitizer
- Travel sized shampoo
- Travel sized conditioner
- Travel sized body wash
- Travel sized face wash
- Makeup
Technology:
- Laptop and charger
- Laptop case
- Lacie 1 TB Portable Hard Drive*
- DSLR camera charger and laptop cable
Miscellaneous:
- Small bag of jewelry
- Prescription medicine (enough to last 4 months, with a doctor’s note)
- Bag of hair ties
- Small satchel
- Retainer
On the Plane:
- Nice gray T-shirt
- Black shorts*
- Red scarf
- Gray Converse*
- White socks
Checked Bag:
- Pepper spray (This must be checked.)
- Old sneakers to leave behind
- Gifts for the host family
- North Face Recon backpack*
- Umbrella
- Pens and pencils
- Notebooks
- Makeup removing wipes
- Razor replacements
- Laptop locking cable
- Gloves
- Tide to-go pen
- 2 TSA approved luggage locks*
- Combination lock* (for hostels)
- Vitamins
Cary On Purse:
- Passport
- Wallet with driver’s license, AAA Visa TravelMoney Card, health insurance card and laminated copy of passport
- Folder with important papers (Itinerary, program information, etc.)
- iPhone and charger
- Earbuds
- Nokia 603 factory unlocked GSM smartphone and charger
- Canon Rebel T3i DSLR Camera*
- 1 TSA approved luggage lock
- Gum
- Chapstick
- Compact mirror/mini hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothbrush holder
- Spanish/English Dictionary
- Knopf Mapguide Sevilla*
- Thermos water bottle* (I love this water bottle! It doesn’t leak so it’s perfect for traveling!)
- A He’s Not Here blue cup (for fun study abroad photos of course)
So there you have it! I hope this list helps you as you prepare for your next adventure – whether it be for a month, four, or even longer.
Happy Traveling!
Mikala
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