Pointers on Packing Priorities

Packing for an extended stay abroad can be a daunting task! Once you've committed to studying or teaching abroad one of your biggest projects to complete while still at home is packing. Having just recently packed up my life for a five month stay in Spain I can sympathize with the stress of this experience. So many questions about when I should begin packing, what I should bring, and how I was going to make everything fit swirled around my head. Since arriving in Spain to teach english in Andalucia I have had time to reflect on what worked and what didn't from a packing standpoint. I am in no way an expert on this topic but I really wanted to share my best tips with anyone who may be taking a similar journey soon. So take a deep breath, read my list of best packing tips, and focus on all the exciting new opportunities on the horizon!

1. Don't start packing until your trip is three days out! For some people this may seem like a no brainer. If so, feel free to skip this one. But if you are like me and like to be overprepared and organized this is something I actually had to learn. I thought about packing seriously about a month before my departure. The truth is if you start packing that far in advance you will inevitably end up re-packing everything. Instead follow my tip number two to help ease your mind and not physically pack until three days before your trip. 

2. Lists, lists, and more lists! Lists will be a life saver when you are packing for such a long period of time. They also allow you to mentally pack in advance. I like to write really specific lists but you may want to stay more broad. For example I made one specifically for my clothes, one for my carry-on, and one for my toiletries. I wrote them prior to packing, kept them for packing, and used them on the day of my flights to double check I had everything. Another great tip about lists is to have family or friends who travel frequently take a look at yours and add anything that they think may be beneficial!

3. Packing cubes/squares. I had never used these before this trip but I am so thankful I found them. The idea behind packing cubes/squares is to help organzie your belongings and to help save space. I will link the ones that I bought below from the Container Store, which has a great travel section with all sorts of things you didn't know you needed. The ones I used have these great zippers on the outside and after you put your belongings in, you zip them up and they are magically half the size. I promise if you adequatley utilize even a few packing cubes you will save space and have a more organized suitcase. 

4. Leave the big stuff at home. Or most of it! While I was still in the states I would convince myself that I was moving to some remote country without acess to shopping, the kind of toiletries I like, etc. Spain is clearly not a remote country and it is even home to some of my favorite retailers like Zara. Depending on where you live, the convience of getting your hands on certain items could be more difficult then in the U.S., but overall you will have acess to everything you need and usually at much lower prices. So leave the big boots, extra pairs of sweatpants, and extra full size toiletries at home and buy them upon your arrival. 

5. Packing safely. Traveling and packing safely is one of my biggest priorities. I not only traveled to Spain but I'll hopegully be traveling all over Europe and beyond while I'm here. I found a few items that most importantly give me peace of mind while I travel. First, a luggage lock. You can place this on any suitcase, it is TSA approved, and it ensures that no one that isn't suppossed to goes through your bag while it isn't in your presence. Secondly, RFID products. RFID products help protect your personal information, such as credit cards and passports, from being scanned and stolen while you are abroad. Physical wallets and cases are sold as well as slips to place over the top of cards. Lastly, the fanney pack. Fanney packs are back in style and are the perfect travel accessory. Instead of slinging a bag over your shoulder you can wear your belongings safely in front of your body and make sure they always in sight. 

I hope these tips and tricks can help anyone packing for their next adventure abroad! Stay tuned for more travel stories and tips as well as my experiences from inside the classrom!

https://www.containerstore.com/s/travel/clothing-accessories-organizers/12 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSDG8IK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00HSDG8IK&pd_rd_w=qMf6D&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=juEfj&pf_rd_r=4J9B6Q1QFQEVFH05D7XC&pd_rd_r=ec9b8466-1753-11e9-8a26-d753f45d11e6&smid=AEA5K88RO6XPD

https://www.target.com/s/luggage+locks