Ciao a tutti and welcome back to my blog!
I am officially back in Florence, Italy for part two of my study abroad experience and since I recently arrived, I decided to make a post about what basics and necessities to bring for studying abroad!
If you decide to study abroad and it is your first time traveling outside of the country, packing can be a scary time. Especially since you’ll be living in a foreign place for months where some things might not be available, not knowing what to bring can cause a panic. But since this is my second semester studying in Italy, I now have a pretty good idea of what items to bring and thought I would share them with you if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
First and foremost—and most importantly—remember to bring your passport! This might seem like a no-brainer but it is possible to forget, especially if you’ve never traveled outside of the country and aren’t used to carrying your passport with you. And in addition to your passport, bring all of your documents and papers that both Holy Cross and your host school have sent you, including Visa paperwork. I haven’t had to show these papers yet, but in the unlikely event that a situation does occur, it is important to have any and all documents on you that can confirm your identity, US citizenship, and approval for living in your host country.
Next up, adapters and converters. Some people don’t know or forget that the wall power sockets, particularly in Europe, are completely different from those in the US. If you don’t already have one, you will need to buy an effective adapter for charging your phone, laptop, iPad, earphones, and any other items that require a charging cord. I specifically brought two so I would be able to charge my phone and computer at the same time.
Third—a good amount of Euros in cash to bring with you. Of course, you can use a credit/debit card for most transactions, as many European countries are up-to-date with payment systems, but some markets and even cellular carriers when buying SIM cards, like Vodafone, only take cash payments. You can also always go to a bank and withdraw Euros once you get to Italy, but because the conversion fees and exchange rates aren’t always the best, if possible, I recommend just exchanging dollars for euros while still in the States.
Fourth, if you are going into a fully immersive program, I recommend thinking of bringing something for your host family. Your host families put in a lot of time and effort to make your stay perfect, and in my experience they are always extremely grateful to receive even a small gift from their student, especially if it is something native to your hometown or state. For example, being from California, my first semester I brought a box of chocolates from See’s Candies, a chocolate company founded in Los Angeles. And both my host parents and host siblings loved them!
Next—extra room in your suitcase or an extra duffel bag! Even if you think you’re an expert at packing and don’t plan on buying anything while abroad—believe me, you will. Whether it’s clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, presents for friends or family, etc.—you will find something to take home. And I’ve found that the best way to figure out the packing situation for going home is just to bring an extra bag or keep room open in your suitcase. Last semester I brought an extra duffel bag that I stuffed into my suitcase, thinking that even though it would be nice to have, I probably wouldn’t use it anyway. I was very wrong. Both my suitcase and my duffel bag were filled to the brim after I finished packing and I was so grateful I had thought ahead to bring an extra bag. So especially if you’re the type to spontaneously shop, definitely think of bringing an extra bag!
And last but not least, I recommend bringing something from home. This might seem unnecessary at the time of packing, but in my experience bringing a little something from home is extremely helpful. You will get homesick—it’s only natural—and if you don’t then I seriously applaud you. But so far all of my friends, including me, have brought something to remind them of home, whether it’s a blanket, pillow case, stuffed animal, souvenir, book, or pictures. It’s not an absolute necessity, but I do think it helps to lighten the stress and anxiety of moving to a different country.
With all of that said, I hope this blog was of some use to you, and I can’t wait to take you on more journeys throughout my second and last semester abroad in Florence!
Grazie e a presto!
