Scoutmom9

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.

What did you wish you brought with you?
What did you wish you left home?

What kind of luggage worked best for you?

Scoutmom9

Bump.......................................

Debruns

I think you would find some hints on other students study abroad blogs. Here is one of many I'm sure
http://www.studyabroad.com/b/daniell...l/default.aspx
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.

zobroward

get all your vaccines!

juillet

Pack light.
Pack, and then remove half the stuff you put in the bag.

No seriously, I did so much traipsing around with my suitcases that I repeatedly wished I had packed less stuff.

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.

bobgh22

You're not the only one in this situation!

Packing help (again) | Travel Musings

prezbucky

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.

Having some knowledge of that culture's norms is at least as important as knowing how to pack.