BALCIHWEWE! That’s the sound I make when packing. I don’t know about you, but I always leave packing as one of the last things I do before a trip. I usually scribble a short list down in the few days before leaving reminding me to bring certain things (glasses, baseball cap, PASSPORT!) but I inevitably leave the packing for the last hours before running off to the airport.

While packing for my current trip — my one month studying Spanish in Spain — I actually prepared quite a bit in advance. This was my first “big” trip in a while, and because I knew I’d be living in an apartment in Seville (booked through my study abroad program), I knew I’d need to bring certain things. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all the times I’ve studied abroad (this is sort-of my third time studying abroad, but it must be my gazillionth time living abroad), it’s the importance of bringing things with you to remind you of home. So for me that’s always meant a bit more planning in my study abroad packing lists.

Packing Tips for Study Abroad Students

Here’s my guide on what to pack when you study abroad, based on all the things I’ve brought with me to Spain while studying abroad at Clic.

What to Pack For Your Closet

• Simple clothes to remind you of home: Bring your favorite t-shirt, or that pair of underwear that you just can’t imagine being without. Because as easy as it is to buy simple clothes when you’re abroad, you’ll want things to remind you of home and it might as well be something you have to bring regardless.
• Nylon laundry bag: You’ll be doing laundry while you’re abroad and depending upon your accommodation, you might have to walk to the laundromat. Bring a nylon laundry bag with a drawstring so that you can easily keep your dirty clothes from making a mess of your room. Don’t get a see-through one; pick a solid color (preferably not one too outlandish) because you never know: you might have to walk a block or two with it in public to the nearest laundry. I use one similar to this one on Amazon (just $2.80).
• Hipster tote bag(s): At the rate these are given out at events, festivals, etc, these are practically disposable. But they come in handy when you’re in a new city. Bring a few different ones for your different looks. They’re useful for carrying your books or laptop to a nearby cafe (hopefully with free wifi). Plus you’ll want them for groceries because, well, just about every grocery store around the world these days charges for paper/plastic bags. If you want the full-on hipster look, try the über-trendy hipster tote bag from Berlin-based The Hipstery.
• At least two pairs of shoes. Because. Really, how could you get by with less? And for those of you that use jogging or running as a way to chill-out and relax, bring your running shoes. You won’t regret it! Don’t give up your usual routines just because you’re abroad.
• Hats, sunglasses, bracelets: Bring it all! Sunglasses obviously only useful in sunny cities (hello Seville!)
• Something simple but formal: I always have a skinny tie or two with me. They’re small and don’t take up much room in my luggage but can turn even a casual outfit into something a bit more elegant. I’ve recently been traipsing around the world with a pair of suspenders. For me, these are essentially the male equivalent of a little black dress.

My suitcase before flying out to Seville for a 1-month study abroad program

 What to Bring for Entertainment

• The Kindle. Full stop. Okay, seriously. I love printed books and all that, but if you’re going away for a semester I can’t recommend enough bringing a Kindle with you. I’ve got my Kindle Paperwhite with me and I’ve already bought two books on it while I’ve been away for just three weeks. Even though I have a TV and an internet connection in my room, there’d just be something odd about binging on TV sitcoms while abroad. All my available free time is usually spent outside drinking and meeting people; the rest of my time reading in bed before I fall asleep.
• Portable speakers: I bought this just before I left for my study abroad program and couldn’t be happier with the purchase. The Phillips SoundShooter Portable Speaker enables me to listen to music on-the-go. It plugs into my headphone jack of my computer or my iPhone so I can use it just about anywhere. With the beautiful weather in Seville, that’s meant I can hang out on my building’s rooftop in the sunshine and listen to my favorite music. Portable speakers are cheap too. Try this cheap portable speaker – most are under $20
• A decent pair of headphones: I’ve got my basic earbud headphones which I use pretty regularly, but you never know how noisy your neighbors might be when you’re staying in student housing — so bring some quality headphones to help block out the noise! Amazon.com regularly has special deals.

So You Won’t Forget the Trip

• Point-and-shoot camera: As a student traveler studying abroad, you’ll want a simple point-and-shoot camera to take with you on nights out. I’ve just received a new Olympus Stylus TG-2 (retail value $379) which seems tough and sturdy: it works underwater, is drop-resistant and can withstand semi-extreme temperatures. TOUGH! Though if you’re semi-serious about photography, also bring a digital SLR camera. I travel with my Canon T3i (retail value $500).
• A journal: Actually, I’d only recommend brining a travel diary or journal with you if you regularly keep one at home. If you don’t, then I still think you should keep a journal (written, even—not just a blog!); I just think you should actually buy the journal wherever you’re studying. Find a local stationery shop and pick something out while you’re there. Then the memories will be stronger.

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TRAVEL TIP: Hey students! ASOS (that fairly hip fashion label from the UK) is currently running a scholarship and internship competition. The prize? Six weeks of all-expenses paid travel around the world this summer! The selected winner gets to visit London, Berlin, Shanghai, Sydney, New York and Lille, France visiting ASOS offices PLUS $3,000 to spend on your holiday (and $1,000 to spend on ASOS.com!). Enter the super-cool contest before March 3, 2014.

The contest just requires students to submit a “life resume” — a more creative version of a boring resume. EASY. Enter now and, if you win, be sure to say hi when you come by Berlin! The tours and travel are arranged by STA Travel—a discount student travel agency I’ve used on previous trips when studying abroad.

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For more packing tips, check out this post from The Nomadic Family about knowing what to pack and for what occasions. Additional study abroad tips can be found on the Latitude Study Abroad website. I’m currently enrolled in a study abroad program at the Clic language school in Seville