Many students make the mistake of taking the largest (or two) suitcases they can find. I mean, you are going to be gone for at least a month, meaning you should bring all of your clothes… right? Wrong.

You have to pack light and you have to do so for more reasons than you may think! Besides the fact that you will want to buy a boatload of souvenirs and new clothing when you get to your travel destination, everyone studying abroad with you will know that you are on a limited wardrobe. 

With that in mind, I decided to search for the best way to bring as many clothes as I could in the most organized and compact way possible. 

The answer is a hiking backpack. Forget rolling luggage and save yourself the struggling by buying a 60-70 Liter backpack. If possible, a bag with numerous compartments and one that molds to your body. I bought a Kelty Red Cloud Women’s 80 for my trip abroad, and it was the best decision I have ever made.

This backpack in particular is made specifically for women and straps comfortably around the waist. Don’t worry, guys, Kelty makes bags for you, too! Now, if you’re studying abroad and are completely opposed to bringing a backpack, I have the second best option for you - Compression Sack.The sacks do exactly what the name suggests! Just load up your bulky clothes, pull the straps down the side to push out the air, and voila! Neat little cubes that allow more space and organization in your backpack and/or suitcase. And space is exactly what a student studying abroad needs when living out of a bag for months on end.

Besides being a great space saver, they're great for separating dirty laundry on weekend trips. So… let’s get to traveling!