Before I left for SAS, I found these great blogs here and here which helped me craft my packing list. I wanted to add my own thoughts so that you are as prepared as possible!
Nicole's Packing List
Clothing
- Basic cotton shirts: 10
- Sleepwear/t-shirts: 4 you will buy a few, but better to have enough to start
- Long-sleeved lightweight shirt
- Sundresses: 2 I wish I'd brought more! Maybe 3-4
- Bottoms: 4 pair shorts, 1 pair capris, 1 fun skirt, 1 long skirt, and 3-4 pair jeans it will get cold in the countries at night!
- Athletic: shorts, sports bras, bathing suits, yoga pants who was I kidding with the whole trying to look nice thing - I should have packed more sweatpants! 2-3 pair yoga pants
- Warm wear: cardigan, sweater, sweatshirt I would have killed for a jean or leather jacket - it gets cold at night in-country, but you still want to look decent! Also, the ship is cold. Bring warm casual stuff and warm sleepwear.
- Rain coat
- Formal wear: nice dress didn't really use, but you really never know...
- Scarf
- Belts
- Undergarments
- Business appropriate outfit actually came in handy
- 1 going out outfit (nice top & jeans) this was crazy. What was I thinking. You need 4-5 going out outfits that you can mix and match. 99.5% of SAS students go out at least once in each port. About a third go out every night in each port. You don't want to miss out on a country's night scene. Bring some options!
Shoes
- Regular sneakers
- All-terrain shoes (ex casual hiking shoes) not necessary, but handy
- Flip flops
- Converse or casual shoes for walking
- 1 pair all purpose flats
- Consider a fun/basic pair of heels
Toiletries
- Body: Body wash, Deodorant, Lotion
- Chapstick
- Hair: Comb & Brush, Shampoo, Conditioner, hairbands
- Nail care: polish, remover, file, clippers
- Razors
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Tissues (1 box + 4 on the go packs) I am prone to allergies, so you don't necessarily need this!
- Tweezers
- sunscreen
- travel size items
Electronics
- Laptop & charger
- phone & charger
- camera? & charger I actually survived the whole trip on my iPhone's camera!
- headphones (x2)
- portable hard drive This is actually a must! (or a flash drive). People will put movies and TV shows on a shared drive and it's great to swap shows and store them for yourself.
- Flash drive
- European adapter
School
- One notebook (medium)
- Writing: highlighters, pens, pencils
- Scissors
- Post-its
- Journal Keeping a journal is a lot of work, but 100% rewarding
- Folder
Medicine
- Prescription: Malaria, diarrhea
- Allergies: Claritin, benadryl
- Cold: dayquil, airborne, cough drops Airborne will save your life!
- Misc: pepto bismal, tums, seasickness, advil Pepto will save your life!
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Mosquito repellant with DEET
Misc
- Snacks: snack bars, m&ms, gum can't go wrong with nutella, but you will also buy snacks in-country
o Candy for kids: something w individ wrappers that wont melt
- Beach towel
- Blanket having my own blanket was really nice and a personal touch for the bed
- Bags: drawstring, cross-body purse, small duffle, backpack
- Anti-wrinkle spray; laundry detergent bar there's a handy clothes line for hand-washing clothes in the bathroom.
- Magnets & photos
- Ziplock bags
- Important documents: copies of passport, extra passport photos, copy of credit card, copy of license, immunization records
- Water bottle (2) and thermos or mug
- US things to give out gifts from home are nice to give out to locals!
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Safety pins and bobby pins
- Laundry bag
- Foreign currency & USD US dollars helpful for paying people back on the ship
- Yellow Fever card
Also, consider packing a small collapsable duffle bag on the way over so that you can bring your extra souvenirs back at the end.
That's it! I had the time of my life on Semester at Sea and hope you do too!
All the best,
Nicole
No comments:
Post a Comment