For me, a year abroad represents an organizational calamity because quite frankly I am one of the most unorganized, chaotic people I know. I can't even manage to bring shoes on a holiday or leave anywhere with a phone, let alone a phone in one piece. There was no way I was going to pack every item I needed into one suitcase and not miss something vital, like my passport !
So, I called upon a little help. No Mum - we decided to avoid fighting on this one. I called in the help of the internet, scouring other bloggers posts about packing. So this post, and my packing was in part inspired by Laura, an American girl who studied abroad in France. You can check her out here ---- > http://lagarvs.blogspot.co.nz/
Laura wrote lists of every possible thing she thought she would need abroad, packed her suitcase and then removed items which didn't fit or exceeded the weight limit. Lists, you think I would have thought of that one, but yes it took the internet for me to learn how to write one. So I wrote lists. List for summer clothes, winter clothes, travelling items, things to remind me of home, it goes on.
So, I called upon a little help. No Mum - we decided to avoid fighting on this one. I called in the help of the internet, scouring other bloggers posts about packing. So this post, and my packing was in part inspired by Laura, an American girl who studied abroad in France. You can check her out here ---- > http://lagarvs.blogspot.co.nz/
Laura wrote lists of every possible thing she thought she would need abroad, packed her suitcase and then removed items which didn't fit or exceeded the weight limit. Lists, you think I would have thought of that one, but yes it took the internet for me to learn how to write one. So I wrote lists. List for summer clothes, winter clothes, travelling items, things to remind me of home, it goes on.
This was the result when I piled everything on said lists on our dining room table ...
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| How to fit this all in one suitcase ! |
I started to get a little concerned at this point because there seemed no way this was all going to fit in my one suitcase. But luckily I was saved not once but twice by the internet ! I discovered you can buy vacuum packed bags that actually shrink your clothes to a manageable size ! After spending a mere $17 on vacuum packed bags at Briscoes I managed to almost fit everything in.
My mum, not the internet suggested taking out my winter coat and some shoes as it I will be able to buy much warmer clothes in the US. With this advice my suitcase finally shut and zipped up tight.
Like any good traveller I also have a carry on bag which well exceeds the 7kg limit filled with books, odd clothes and assorted chargers. And of course my passport !
T-2 days and I'm packed and ready to leave for Pennsylvania. The custom officials won't recognise me - an organized, vacuum packed and meticulous Caitriona. America is already changing me!
T-2 days and I'm packed and ready to leave for Pennsylvania. The custom officials won't recognise me - an organized, vacuum packed and meticulous Caitriona. America is already changing me!
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