You’ve been accepted, secured your study visa, purchased your tickets, and tied up any loose ends at home. Now comes one of the more challenging aspects of preparing to study abroad: packing.
When moving to Italy, you’ll undoubtedly need to alter your packing method compared to packing for college in the United States. Most international airlines allow passengers to check one or two 50 lb bags, and to carry one smaller suitcase or duffel (plus a purse or backpack) onto the plane.
While this seems like not nearly enough space, packing light is an art that most travelers will master. You’ll also undoubtedly buy things in Italy, so leave enough room to fit your purchases on the way home. Keep the following list in mind while packing for your semester abroad.
Make Sure You Have These for Your Carry-On Luggage
You’ll want to have certain things on board while your plane takes off. These include your passport and three photocopies of your passport photo and student visa pages; your health insurance card and insurance information; and your ATM card/credit card. With the latter, make sure your bank knows you’ll be using it in Europe.
You’ll also want a travel toothbrush and toothpaste; a change of clothes; and all valuables, including jewelry, laptop, and your phone. If necessary, bring prescription medications, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Make sure to have about €150 for any immediate needs if you prefer not to use an ATM or exchange money at the airport; and of course, an Italian dictionary-phrasebook.
Also Make Sure You Have Enough Clothes
This category really depends on you, as everyone dresses differently. Check the forecast for the time of year you will study abroad. Think about what you plan to do while in Rome. If you want to intern or spend weekends at the opera, you may need dressier clothes.
Bring one to two coats (one winter coat and one fall/spring jacket); gloves, hats and scarves; rain gear; 15-20 pairs of socks and underwear; pajamas/lounging clothes; workout clothes; a bathing suit; and three to five pairs of shoes (sneakers, flip flops for the beach, sandals, dress shoes, boots). Ladies, the cobblestones in Trastevere aren’t easy to maneuver in stilettos, so don’t pack several pairs of heels unless you have an excellent sense of balance!
Bring These Miscellaneous Items While You Study Abroad
Before you study abroad in Italy, you’ll need a backpack or duffel bag fitting the carry-on luggage requirements of discount airlines, if you plan to travel inexpensively. As for toiletries, you can find the Italian equivalent for generic hair products, facial products, sunscreen, etc. If you use specific products you may not find in Italy, pack enough to last you for the semester.
Bring your laptop, camera, iPhone, etc, and buy European adapters and converters. Europe is infamous for its pickpockets, so be extra careful while traveling with expensive electronics. With medicine, make sure you have enough prescription medication to last you, and you also may want to bring over the counter medicine. Also bring resealable plastic bags to hold your toiletries and protect against spills, as well as a journal to record your activities and reflect upon your experience in Rome.
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