<p>Any tips regarding packing and luggage recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
S is doing 4 months in Sengal starting in end of August. Of course the program gave a list of what to bring and not bring but I would still love to hear tips from students who have gone through a semester abroad.</p>
<p>What did you wish you brought with you?
What did you wish you left home?</p>
<p>What kind of luggage worked best for you?</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>I think you would find some hints on other students study abroad blogs. Here is one of many I’m sure
<a href=“http://www.studyabroad.com/b/danielle-senegal/default.aspx[/url]”>http://www.studyabroad.com/b/danielle-senegal/default.aspx</a>
My daughter did a 5 wk abroad class and will be doing a year next Fall in UK…she is bringing a backpack/carry-on and at least one large suitcase. She has clothes that can be layered, shoes for wet/muddy weather and hot, medicine (Rx and over the counter), converters for outlets as “must-haves” and copies of everything (Passport/visa/medical cards/CCards)
Guys usually have less “extras” but it really depends on the weather, what he/she will be doing, etc.</p>
<p>get all your vaccines!</p>
<p>Pack light.
Pack, and then remove half the stuff you put in the bag.</p>
<p>No seriously, I did so much traipsing around with my suitcases that I repeatedly wished I had packed less stuff.</p>
<p>There was nothing I wished I had brought with me, but I wished I had left a lot of stuff home. My blow-dryer was useless so I ended up purchasing a cheap one overseas, then leaving it with the study abroad office for others to use. I wish I had brought fewer trinkets from home - you only need one or two. I wish I had brought fewer clothes. Nobody cares if you wear the same thing more times than you are used to at home. Nobody even notices. I wish I had left my bathrobe home, as that only adds bulk.</p>
<p>You’re not the only one in this situation!</p>
<p>[Packing</a> help (again) | Travel Musings](<a href=“http://kassjd.studentsgoneglobal.com/pre-trip/77/packing-help-again/]Packing”>http://kassjd.studentsgoneglobal.com/pre-trip/77/packing-help-again/)</p>
<p>Read Friedman’s (i think that’s right…) “The Lexus And The Olive Tree”. We, as Americans, are the Lexus. Those in Senegal are probably more like the Olive Tree.</p>
<p>Having some knowledge of that culture’s norms is at least as important as knowing how to pack.</p>