Packing Tips
Stay up-to-date with the TSA’s Permitted & Prohibited items list! www.tsa.gov
Pack Lightly
- WHATEVER YOU PACK YOU WILL HAVE TO CARRY. Transporting your bags around the world on planes, trains, and buses will be difficult if you over pack.
- Do not fill your bag with sweaters and jackets. Layering is essential.
- Bring mostly clothes that are machine washable. Dry cleaning may be expensive.
- In most countries, you will be able to purchase your toiletries while abroad.
Pack Dark Clothes
This will lessen the amount of times you do laundry (sounds dirty, but you will learn).
Pack at Least One Nice Outfit
- Females--comfortable dress
- Males--shirt and tie
- Internship program participants should bring at least 3 "office" outfits.
Pack Plenty of Socks, Underwear and T-Shirts
Check the Weather
- Please consult with a travel agent or guidebook to check the temperature and weather conditions for your destination. Do not forget that you may be abroad for more than one season, therefore, you may need clothes that will keep you comfortable in a variety of conditions.
- Remember that if you are traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, or South Africa, the seasons are opposite those of the US -- December is the start of summer and June is the start of winter.
Suggested Items...
Documents, etc.
- passport (and visa if required)
- airline tickets
- cash, traveler's checks, credit cards, ATM card
- insurance information
- photocopies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance card, etc.)
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- extra passport-sized photos
- hostel membership card
- phone card
- study abroad journal, the OISP study abroad orientation manual, and host country emergency contact sheet.
- travel pass (such as Eurail or Boomerang, and remember you can only buy these in the US)
- resume (for internship programs)
Medicine & Toiletries
- eye glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution, bring prescriptions
- contraceptives/condoms
- first aid kit (including: motion sickness medications, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, pain relievers, decongestants, antiseptics, and bandages)
- prescription medicines and written prescriptions
- sunscreen and moisturizers
- tissue packets (not every bathroom has toilet paper)
- tampons
Miscellaneous
- address book
- adapter and voltage converter
- alarm clock (battery operated)
- bath towel and shower shoes
- batteries
- camera
- day pack
- flashlight
- guide books (Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Fodor's) and maps
- luggage
- lock and tags
- moist towelettes, anti-bacterial hand lotion
- money belt or neck wallet (invaluable for carrying money and important documents)
- Swiss army knife
- pocket calculator (to translate local prices into dollars)
- sewing kit
- sleeping bag/cover sheet (for weekend excursions)
- walking shoes (good, sturdy, worn-in)
- rain jacket and/or umbrella, ziplock bags (great for keeping things dry, like money belt, when showering at a hostel)
