RULE NUMBER 1 – DON’T OVERPACK

Hi Study Abroad’ers, my name is Jessica and I’m an intern here at SomewhereNew! Coming straight from Minnesota for my summer abroad, I made the most common mistake…OVER PACKING! When I arrived at the airport, suitcase in toe, it weighed in at a hefty 50 lbs, almost no room left for souvenirs to bring back and I was only here for the summer.  I almost became one of those people at the airport desperately throwing clothes out of my suitcase and handing them to my sister, as I made her wait outside just in case IT happened.

In hindsight, I truly believed I needed to bring almost everything I own so I had options. Now I realize I only wear a fraction of what I actually brought with me. But while you are packing and imagining all the different experiences you will have and how you want to look stylish in a new outfit almost every day, it is a true challenge to force yourself to leave those extra pairs of jeans or 5 extra dresses at home. I don’t even want to get started on the amount of shoes I brought. Let’s just say  sacrifices will have to be made returning home!

Instead of packing what you WANT to wear, pack what you NEED to wear.

So fear not, I’m here to give you the heads up before you pack and travel half away across the world, on what to bring, what to leave behind and even included a list of where to get things you might have forgotten. One thing to keep in mind is that I came to London in the summer. But luckily we’ve got a seasoned team of study abroad students and experts travelers here at SomewhereNew,  so we’ve adopted the list before for anyone planning to visit London, regardless of the time of year and how long you are staying.

 

Basics

Clothing

HYGIENE AND TOILETRIES

We recommend bringing travel size products as the UK carries the same brands or those identical to ones in the US. Travel sizes bottles are also great for refilling and taking on your weekends away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not an exhaustive list, but remember you can purchase anything you need once you arrive in London! Check out our list of where to buy what that you may have forgotten.

Oh, and one last word of advice – leave your hair dryer at home – best just to buy one here!

Happy Packing:)