As a student who studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, in the spring of 2023, here鈥檚 some travel tips for the important and often overlooked items you should consider packing in preparation for your study abroad trip!
1. A Travel Backpack
The best piece of advice I received prior to going abroad was to invest in a travel backpack. This is both larger and more compact than a regular school backpack. By using a travel backpack you avoid steep fees, as European airlines traditionally charge to bring a carry-on onboard. A 40L backpack fits all of the requirements for airlines and will prevent you from being charged at the airport from most budget airlines.
While abroad, I had multiple experiences with lost luggage, canceled flights and long delays. Due to this, it鈥檚 important to keep your luggage with you as you travel from place to place, rather than risk the surprise of an oversized bag causing you to need to forfeit your bag at the gate.
I recommend the . It retails for $41.99 on Amazon and is 100% worth the investment! It fits the same amount of stuff as a carry-on would, all while offering the convenience of remaining with you on flights and making it easier to travel around new cities.
2. A Capsule Wardrobe
While traveling during your semester abroad, you will have to be prepared for the climatic differences of the countries you visit. You will likely be purchasing items from popular stores like Zara, Pull&Bear and many other brands to accommodate for these frequent changes.
When packing to study abroad, you should aim to pack a to save on space, minimize airport costs and prioritize packing only what you need! A capsule wardrobe aims to have a suitable outfit for any occasion without owning excessive pieces. It is made up of a collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched, while including every part of a complete outfit.
Basic pieces in a capsule wardrobe include a pair of neutral bottoms (with fabric suitable for the season), denim pieces, neutral tank tops, white button-downs, light or chunky knit sweaters, and comfortable but presentable shirts. For nicer occasions, clothes should fit the style of multiple events: black, white or sundresses are all viable options.
For jackets, I would recommend three clothing items: a blazer (for interviews and professional opportunities), a light jacket and a leather jacket. When it comes to shoes, I recommend bringing one pair of everyday shoes that are comfortable to walk in, one pair of presentable shoes (loafers, heels, etc.) and one pair of black or white boots or dress shoes.
Keep in mind that shoes will take up the most space and weight in your luggage. It can feel difficult to leave your favorite pieces behind, but know you will be best prepared for any given occasion with a capsule wardrobe!
3. Portable Chargers
There is no worse position to be in than being lost, tired and desperately trying to find your way back to your hostel/Airbnb in a new city with a dead phone battery. Don鈥檛 let that be you!
Purchase a few portable chargers and put one in each of your bags/backpacks. By purchasing ahead of time on Amazon, you can get a pack of multiple chargers at a low cost. I recommend the , which retails for $26.99 on Amazon and includes two cordless chargers.
Since electrical outlets in foreign countries are not the same as American outlets, you will need to make sure that you have the appropriate adapter! You can buy them in the cities you are traveling to, but it will oftentimes be at an upcharge. Sellers know what international travelers are willing to pay in a crunch. Save time and money by preparing ahead of time! I would also recommend specifically buying types that can connect directly to your phone without a charging cord. It鈥檚 much easier and faster to use this type of portable charger!
4. Travel-Size Toiletries
Bringing travel-size toiletries (under 100mL) in toiletry bags will streamline your time spent in every airport. Something I discovered while studying abroad was that each airport and country had different limitations for traveling with liquids. A typical restriction deals with the number of products you can take through security with you. For example, as a country well-known for their high-quality skincare products, France is very strict with capping the number of products you are able to bring back with you in your carry-on luggage.
At most airports, you will be asked to take out any liquids and to put them into one medium-sized Ziploc bag. Any products that do not fit into this bag will be discarded by security. The size of the plastic bag will change in each location, and you will find that some countries are more relaxed with the amount of liquids, while others are stricter. In packing travel-sized toiletries and housing them in toiletry bags, your liquids will be easily accessible to make passing through security a stress-free experience.
5. Travel Credit Card
Signing up for a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees is an easy and crucial way to save money. International fees differ with each type of credit card, but many are around 5% per purchase. Transaction fees add up quickly and eat at money you could use for other purchases or trips.
Additionally, make sure to know the Value Added Tax (VAT) rates in your respective travel abroad country. There is often a minimum purchase amount and restrictions to watch out for. The VAT rate is a type of consumption tax on goods, and as a traveler (non-European Union resident), this is money you can get back on purchases. You will need to save your receipts and turn them in at the airport prior to leaving the EU. The details of acquiring a travel credit card and learning about the VAT rate helped me to save and to make purchases with confidence.
Written By Callie Amill ’24, Martin J. Whitman School of Management, 黑料不打烊 Madrid Global Ambassador
This list is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by 黑料不打烊.