WHAT TO PACK?!?

Packing to go away for a year can seem like an imposible task but it can be fun.

The best place to start is finding out what you are allowed to bring on the plane. It should say on your ticket, but to be on the safe side, always double check (and triple check). Call your travel agent and the airline directly. Usually you are allowed up to 2 pieces of checked bagage, and one piece of carry-on. When flying overseas checked baggage should not be more than 32 kg each, and within Europe 20 kg each. Check with the airline because this is not always the case especially if you have a cheep ticket. They may also offer things like free sports equipment transport, you can usually stuff a lot of extra clothes in around your sports equipment.

Once you know what you are alowed to take, start looking for suitcases/bags. They should be big, but remember you have to be able to carry them! Also keep in mind that you may want something smaller if you plan to travel around a lot in your host country. Host parents can usually help you out there though. I usually travel with 2 suitcases (the smaller one has a pull out handle so it looks like a lugage cart, and is wonderful to move pull around). Remember that the suitcases are going to get used quite a bit so they should be strong and lightweight.

Now comes the hard part, packing.

Try to be organized. Start making a list in advance, it takes a while to think of everything. Write to your host family and ask them what they think you will need and find out if clothes are expensive where you are going. From what I have heard, Australia is the cheepest, with North America, Europe and then Japan getting more expensive. Some things are better to buy when you get there and know if you really need it. Things you might only need once or twice you can usually borrow from friends and host families (i.e. winter clothes for a ski weekend).

Here is what my clothing list usually looks like:

• 6 short sleaved T-shirts
• 5 long sleaved T-shirts
• 4 pairs of pants
• 6 sweaters
• 3 shirts
• 2 pairs of shorts
• all the underwear and bras I own
• same goes for socks
• bathing suit
• sports clothes
• your Rotary blazer
• fancier clothes (you never know where you might end up...)
  • 2 skirts
  • formal dress
  • nice blouses
  • dress pants
  • shoes to match
• spring fall jacket
• rain coat
• winter coat
• hats, mitts, scarf...
• winter boots
• running shoes
• your everyday shoes (make sure you have something cofortable when you go on trips cause you will be walking all day)
• PJs
• any thing else you know you use a lot and can't live without

Other things to think about:

• toiletries, enough for at least a week, medicine for at least 3 months
• school supplies, at least some pens and a pad of paper
• school bag (how can you live without a knapsac)
• address book and e-mail addresses
• camera and some film
• books to read when you are bored during the first little while
• CD's/tapes and walkman or discman
• MONEY
  • make sure you have some cash when you get there
  • figure out the best way for your parents to get you money, talk to exchange students who have been to that country
  • travelers checks always work
  • your normal bank card if it works in the bank machines where you are going (look at the symbols on the back), make sure your parents have access to out money into your account at home
  • Visa
  • bank transfers for larger sums once you have opened an account in your host country
• passport and visa
• presents for your host families
• photos from home
• this list could go on forever

Remember that this list will vary a lot depending on what you usually wear/use, where you are going and how you prioritise.

A few more hints and suggestions...

• always keep in mind how much everything weighs as you plan
• to weigh your suitcases, put them on one or two bathroom scales and then add a bit for inaccuracy
• if you really like some toiletry (face cleanser, make up...) consider bringing enough for a year
• contact solution is a lot more expensive in Europe than North America, fill up any left over space with it
• don't plan on buying new contacts or glasses while away
• pack as much heavy stuff into your carry-on knapsac as possible, they only very rarely weigh it as long as it isn't massive
• Don't worry about forgetting stuff, once you are gone you will notice how willing your parents are to mail things
• wear comfortable and space consuming clothing while you travel, that means the biggest pair of shoes or boots you are bringing.
• look into what the carry-on rules are
  • one bag
  • one purse (even for guys)
  • coat or jacket (that winter coat that took up half your suit case)
  • camera (esp. useful if yours is big and has a big bag)
  • umbrella
  • usually an extra plastic bag or two isn't a problem, esp. if it looks like a duty free bag
  • here is the list of what I wore/carried when I came home from exchange
    • overalls
    • T-shirt
    • sweater
    • winter boots
    • Rotary blazer (with all the pins, you have no choice)
    • winter coat
    • knapsac (around 20 kg)
    • 2 "purses" with big books in it
    • pouch with my money, tickets, passport...
    • a big hat I made out of a car tire
    • extra plastic bag
    • a pittyful look on my face
  • I was lucky and got away with it, everyone was too busy laughing at me to care.
• get your family and friends to see if any one you know is going to the same area as you around the same time and might be willing to take an extra bag for you

If you have anything to add to this page, or any questions write to me at clara39@hotmail.com