Abroad & Travel Packing Tips

Initially, when I imagined studying abroad in Italy, I pictured all the adorable outfits I would bring, how I'd do my hair, and all the adorable photos I'd snap. But I didn't really think about having to walk to school every day, even when it's raining, or needing outfits for things other than just sightseeing. So, I've put together a list of must-bring items and things you can skip packing and just buy there!

*Note: double-check with your program to see if you'll have a washer in your apartment. If not, no worries—there are laundromats around the city! Or, you can hit up the shopping centers and grab any extras you need!

Tops:

• 5 t-shirts

• 4 tank tops

• 2 dresses

• 1 Sweatshirt

• A thin shawl (to throw over your shoulders or knees when visiting churches; you can pick one up here, so no worries if you forget to bring one)

Bottoms:

• 1 pair of jeans

• 2 linen/cotton pants

• 2 jean shorts

• 3 soft comfy shorts

• 2 athletic shorts

• 2 skirts

Intimates:

• 10 -12 pairs of underwear

• 5 bras (include a strapless bra/bralette if you need one!)

• 10 pairs of socks (+ more if you are only bringing tennis shoes)

• 2 pairs of pajamas (shirt + shorts/pants)

• 1 swimsuit

Outerwear:

• Rain jacket

• Hat (for keeping the sun off of your head/shoulders!)

Shoes:

• Tennis shoes

• Sandals

Toiletries:

All of the ones with a "*" beside them can be bought at grocery stores in Italy!

• Travel-sized shampoo & conditioner*

• Travel-sized body wash*

• Toothbrush & toothpaste*

• Razors*

• Facewash

• Lotion*

• Facial moisturizer

• Hairbrush*

• Stick deodorant* (they only sell gel deodorant)

Meds:

Medicine tends to cost more here since it's over the counter, so it's a good idea to bring your own from home! If you're bringing a bunch, just make sure to pack the bottle with the label to avoid any mix-ups at the airport. Also, there can be lots of sickness that goes around, from travelling on the plane, to day trips in or around the city, so allergy meds will be a must-have!

• Ibuprofen

• Tylenol

• Pepto

• Claritin or Zyrtec

• Imodium

• Melatonin

• Dramamine

Miscellaneous:

You'll find most of these for sale here, but tracking them down can be a bit of a hassle since they aren't all in the same store—no huge Walmarts around here!

• Fingernail clippers

• Hair ties

• Blowdryer, flatiron, curling iron

  • These are sold here, but if you bring one from home, make sure it is Dual Voltage

• Plug adapter

  • Their sockets look different from ours, so this adapter plugs into the wall so that we can plug our normal cords into it!

• Phone charger

• Umbrella

• Pencils, pens, notebooks, or paper

  • Go to the store Flying Tiger for the majority of school supplies!

Extra!:

• Book or Kindle for slow days!

• Backpack

• Computer & charger

• Copies of important paperwork

• Small reusable water bottle (easily slips into a bag & refills at fountains around the city)

• Locks for luggage and backpacks

• Air tags

• Feminine hygiene products

  • These are sold here, but won't be the same brands, so bring what you are comfortable with!!

• Portable charger

• Headphones

The main thing to remember is not to overpack! You really don't need that giant suitcase (since most buildings don't have elevators, and you'll be lugging all 50lbs of it up and down four flights of stairs). If you need extra clothes, you can always buy more here. The same goes for toiletries—don't bring big bottles unless they're absolutely essential. While there aren't big one-stop shops like in the U.S., there are still plenty of stores with almost everything you'll need!