Every Share Helps!

What you bring really depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing. There are three main things to keep in mind: Know your host community, know you don’t need a different outfit for each day, and make sure that you’re comfortable.

Know Your Host Community

Before traveling abroad, learn as much as you can about your host country’s culture, and pick clothing that’s appropriate to wear while visiting. Think of it this way: When you go to a job interview, you research how to dress and make sure it’s appropriate to the situation.

Don’t Overpack

Mixing and matching your outfits will keep you from over-packing. Consider the weather and terrain to make sure you don’t bring something unnecessary. It’s also good to inquire about laundry; if you’re in a hotel, there might be a guest laundry room. If you’re with a host family, they might wash your clothes along with theirs.

Make Sure You’re Comfortable
You don’t need to wear sweats and flip-flops—but you also don’t need to wear high heels for a walking tour. As well, avoid bringing new shoes on your trip—while they may have been comfortable when you tried them on, you don’t know yet how they’ll feel after being worn all day.

If you’re in a sunny, hot climate, bring a hat, which will help you avoid sunburn and heatstroke. If you’re in a cold climate, take layers and adjust accordingly. Make sure you have something that lets you move freely, but that still protects you from the elements.

Clothes Packing Tips

Here’s a crash course in rolling your shirts so they take up half the room of folded ones:

1. Lay your shirt out flat, with the sleeves and neck closest to you.
2. Fold the sleeves and sides in to the middle so they overlap with one another. Your shirt should now look like a long rectangle.
3. Roll the shirt into a ball, starting from the neck and tightly rolling all the way to the bottom.
4. Pick up the ball, and fold the outside flap (formed by the bottom part of your shirt) back up over itself and around the entire ball. If you rolled it tightly, you should have a nice, compact ball that won’t come apart when you pack it.

As well, you can use this same strategy for every article of clothing, from dresses to jeans to underwear.

Packing your clothes vertically along your suitcase’s extendable handles can help free up some room—you can make three rows that fit perfectly between the bars.

Quick Ideas

• Know what kind of clothing is required for your trip. If you’re volunteering abroad, a coordinator will let you know what you should and shouldn’t bring.
• Try not to take flashy or expensive jewelry with you—it could make you a target for pickpockets.
• Bring more socks than you think you need.
• Pack layers so you can adjust to temperature fluctuations.

More packing tips and ideas? Post them below!

Photo credit: RejNatarajan.