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8 Things You Should Take Abroad That Nobody Told You About

You won't find these ideas on other packing lists.

Brianna Elizabeth Farr

May 16, 2019

UNC Charlotte

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8 Things You Should Take Abroad That Nobody Told You About

Brianna Elizabeth

1. A framed photograph

Brianna Elizabeth

Frame a photo of your favorite people and put it in your suitcase. When you arrive in your host country, place the photo somewhere in your room. It will be a sweet but subtle reminder of home and will make your space abroad feel more personalized!

2. Your favorite dressing

Food So Good Mall

If you eat ranch with every meal then you should probably pack a bottle in your checked bag. There's not much chance of finding ranch or Chick-fil-A sauce outside of the U.S. Consider this your warning!

3. A microfiber towel

Walmart

You never know when a hostel is going to charge you extra to rent a towel. Why not take a microfiber towel instead? They're lightweight, fast drying, and compact, making them perfect for weekend trips abroad.

4. Reusable grocery bags

Brianna Elizabeth

Lots of stores overseas don't provide free single-use bags at checkout. You may be able to purchase them for an additional fee, but it's better to be on the safe and environmentally friendly side. Pack a few reusable grocery bags and take them with you when you go shopping!

5. Multiple outlet adapters

Amazon

Sometimes you need to charge your phone and blow dry your hair at the same time, you know? It's just not realistic to take only one world adapter abroad. Buy one and borrow one or two more from friends who have traveled abroad before!

6. Some bottle protectors

Brianna Elizabeth

You're going to want to bring a bottle of wine or an aged vinaigrette back to the States. Take a few bottle protectors to protect your glass bottles from breaking during travel.

7. A travel backpack or purse

Brianna Elizabeth

Travel backpacks and purses are designed to dissuade pickpockets from snatching travelers' personal items. With so many styles and sizes to choose from, you're bound to find at least one travel bag that fits perfectly!

8. An international phone plan with data

Jan Vašek on Pixabay

Save yourself the headache of trying to set up a phone plan overseas by purchasing an international plan from your stateside service provider. Trust me, you will need data to translate menus, book train tickets, and GPS your way back to your apartment.

No matter what ups and downs you face as you embark on this journey, know that studying abroad will be 1000% worth the effort in the end! Happy travels!

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Recommended for you

8 Things You Should Take Abroad That Nobody Told You About

You won't find these ideas on other packing lists.

In This Article:

1. A framed photograph

2. Your favorite dressing

3. A microfiber towel

4. Reusable grocery bags

5. Multiple outlet adapters

6. Some bottle protectors

7. A travel backpack or purse

8. An international phone plan with data

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!