What To Pack For A High School Semester Abroad in France
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Post written by Ambassador Abroad, Rose who participated in our High School Abroad Program in France for a full Academic Year!
Packing for my 9 month study abroad program in Toulouse, France was a huge challenge for me. I had no clue what I would need and what to expect. Fortunately, through my time here I have learned what I needed to bring.
Winter Clothes
I came very unprepared for how cold it gets in Toulouse. As someone from New England, I had been told that Toulouse would be warmer than home, and while it is, it still gets cold, especially with rain and wind. I had only brought a few light sweaters, but throughout my time here I have bought several thicker ones, to stay warm and still have a cute outfit!
Digital Camera
When I first packed this summer, I didn’t bring my digital camera, and that was a mistake. I’ve found myself wishing I had it, because of the opportunity to take photos of France through a different lens than my phone. If you like using your camera, don’t hesitate to bring it!
Host Family Gifts
This is something that I believe to be very important, especially for longer programs, where a family welcomes you for 3-9 months. For my host family I brought gifts specific to my hometown. My family did request some things, so it’s good to ask them if there is anything from the U.S. that they would like! Some ideas of what my friends and I brought for our families are: college sweatshirts, local sports merch, and our favorite foods. Of course, do what feels right to you and your budget on this subject. Even a handwritten card in your target language can be very thoughtful!
Toiletries
Do not bring too many toiletries for the sake of your suitcase, but do bring the things you won’t be able to do without, like makeup, hair, or skincare products you know that you will not find in France. If there are products you really like, do some research before to see if they’re sold in France. Most major brands are sold in stores or can be found online, but some things may be harder to find.
The best advice I can give is to just stay conscious about your destination’s weather and cultural differences when packing (and always pack light!).
If you are interested in studying abroad during high school, you can apply here or you can schedule a call with an Enrollment Coordinator to start planning.
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