Getting prepped and packed for a year abroad? Martha’s been there. Having spent a year abroad in Sweden, she’s got the lowdown on packing essentials – from practical must-haves to things that’ll make you feel a little more at home.
Blog by Martha S
Going abroad – whether to study or work – can be daunting, especially when you begin to start making packing lists and buying some last-minute essentials. Before going to Sweden, I didn’t know what jacket I needed, which shoes were the most appropriate, or if I could live without my favourite Tesco free-from pesto. This post is so that you don’t make the same mistakes I did, and bring only the essentials with you – so you can fill up your suitcases and bring them home packed with your new favourite foods which can only be found abroad!
Along with all the obvious things, here’s a list of my 5 must-haves when going to live abroad:
UK plug extension lead
From being too big to fit into the funny-shaped foreign sockets to being forgotten at home so your laptop dies halfway through class, using adaptors abroad is annoying. As a last-minute addition to my suitcase, I was sceptical whether I would use my 5-socket UK extension lead when I was living my Scandinavian dream. however, it turned out to be the best addition I could have taken. So good I even brought a second when I went back after the Christmas holidays. Just plug it in your bedroom, and you’ll never have to worry about those pesky adaptors again – hey presto!
Teabags (or other foods that feel like home)
Although you’ll probably be living your best life when you’re abroad, you’re bound to have some down days where all you want are some home comforts. For me, this means indulging in a cup of earl grey tea while watching the Chronicles of Narnia. It might seem like a waste of precious space, but I can guarantee you won’t regret bringing something with you that makes you feel at home.
Formal clothes
One thing I learned very quickly when I arrived in Sweden was that Swedish people love any excuse to dress up and go to a fancy event. Every small festival (my favourites included halloween, Spring ball and celebration of the changing of the clocks) resulted in a ‘gasque’ – a fancy 3 course meal, followed by a party. I ended up wearing my one formal dress far more than I’d ever expected. Granted, not all countries love formalities as much as Sweden, but packing a dress (below the knees was often specified in the dress code) or suit that can be dressed up is a very helpful and money-saving addition to your packing list.
Decorations – Photos, fairy lights, or other decorations
Unlike moving into halls in your first year of university, going on a year abroad means you probably don’t want to be splashing the cash on a huge IKEA shop. Bringing a few photos of home or uni, or some packable fairy lights can turn a prison-like cell bedroom into a relaxing space. If you’re staying for a full year, making your room feel like yours can help to cure those moments you feel that bit extra homesick.
Vacuum clothes bags
Last, but definitely not least, are vacuum bags for your clothes. I um-ed and ah-ed over whether to go for packing cubes or vacuum bags, finally deciding on the latter. While they don’t help with reducing weight, vacuum bags can reduce a big winter coat or knitted jumper to the size of a water bottle, increasing the amount of clothes you can fit in your suitcase. These were my lifesaver when returning from my year abroad – I accumulated many new Scandinavian jumpers and jackets, which I can now use in Edinburgh!
I hope this has been a helpful post for all of you going abroad, and remember, if you forget something don’t panic – shops do exist in other countries, so you can probably buy what you need out there!
