<p>Inspired by another thread–things you don’t need to pack for abroad.</p>
<p>Good question but it really depends where you are going! I went to Africa and what I needed to pack was often totally different from what you would pack for Europe or South America. </p>
<p>I found this article on packing tips to be a helpful starting point though: [Abroad101:</a> Welcome Abroad: Ten Packing tips for the Study Abroad Student](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/8Y1IpF]Abroad101:”>http://■■■■■■/8Y1IpF)
Hope it helps!</p>
<p>Here’s a pretty good list of what you don’t need, especially when in Europe.</p>
<p>[Abroad101:</a> Welcome Abroad: Guest Blog Spotlight: Top Ten Things NOT To Pack When You Go Abroad To Europe](<a href=“http://www.blog.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2009/11/guest-blog-spotlight-top-ten-things-not.html]Abroad101:”>http://www.blog.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2009/11/guest-blog-spotlight-top-ten-things-not.html)</p>
<p>@JLB250
Nice list but</p>
<p>I’d disagree with #3. You shouldn’t pack peanut butter (simply because its available all over the world) but people are generally able to differentiate between foreign policy and a travel abroader. See such things as a conversation starter.
Chances are you are going to CouchSurf or something so I always advise people to bring lots and lots of postcards from their hometown or state. They are light, cheap and a nice giveaway for the gazillion people of whom you’ll need a favor.</p>
<p>Also the drugs section seems i’ll researched. Yes lots of drugs are completely similar in Europe and mostly cheaper, healthcare is generally a lot better.
BUT there are differences about which you should ask your doctor. for example such simple things as aspirin are waaay stronger in europe. Always research about substitutes and ask your doctor!</p>
<p>The clothing part:
Dont bring Sweatstuff or running-shoes unless you plan to do sports. Dont bring blue blazers and khakis, they are not considered smart wear in Europe and look horrible anyway, buy a suit. Generally always dress up or urban.</p>
<p>Heels: I’m not a girl but you should bring them. In Europe you will be able to go clubbing (a lot) and flats aren’t going to do for that. Even cobblestone streets mostly have a paved sidewalk.</p>
<p>Aspirin is not stronger in Europe. I have bought it in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, and the strongest I’ve been able to buy there is 500mg in the UK, which is the same as our strongest stuff. Most of it was 325mg, same as here! In fact, most of it is made by the same company: Bayer. The difference for me, though, is I buy the water soluble aspirin in Europe which works faster. The other difference is that the pharmacist will often look at me funny if I try to buy more than two packets of aspirin at a time - I find that truly odd. </p>
<p>Paracetemol may be a stronger pain reliever than what we can buy in the States, it isn’t available here (maybe it contains codeine?). I’ve only seen it in the UK. In Canada, one can buy 222’s with codeine over the counter, which is definitely stronger than anything we can buy over the counter here.</p>
<p>A friend of mine wears heels a LOT, but even she bought a pair of nice flats to wear when she moved to Stockholm due to the cobblestone sidewalks. She takes her heels with her in her bag and changes when she arrives to school/work/the club. I don’t necessarily believe that heels are a MUST for clubbing, though. It really depends on the person. I’m a girl who hardly ever wears heels for anything, but I also don’t wear plain casual flats for dancing. It is possible to find nice flats or low heels (1 inch) if you don’t like wearing 3+ inch heels.</p>
<p>Don’t take heels if you’re going to Belgium - they don’t wear them clubbing.</p>
<p>Ahh dude bring peanut butter. I’m currently in Japan and they don’t have suitable PB, I’m dying.</p>
<p>UK paracetamol = US acetaminophen</p>
<p>In the UK they won’t let you buy more than 2 packets (32 tablets) of any pain killers at one tiem in case you are going to commit suicide (of course if you are really determind you can go round every pharmacy in town and buy 2 packs in each place).</p>
<p>This is a classic case of why I would recommend taking all the drugs you need when you go abroad. It may be available, but may not have the same name and hence may be difficult to find (but also check if such things are legal and also if they are prescription only. Somethings you can buy over the counter in the US will be prescription only in other countries, and vice versa).</p>
<p>PB or not? In Switzerland? Maybe as a host gift?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Worst possible choice of gift ever, for the following reasons</p>
<p>1)Fulfills the ignorant American stereotype 100%. Teaching the ■■■■■■■■ foreigners about our great culture. Bringing them food because they must be starving etc. </p>
<p>2)You can buy it in Switzerland. I used to live there, believe me!</p>
<p>3)Most Europeans don’t like the stuff.</p>
<p>4)If the jar cracks in your luggage it’s going to ruin your clothes.</p>
<p>Just don’t go there. Take some nice gift from your home state, not a grocery store staple.</p>
<p>Well cupcake, I have sent my ex to multiple pharmacies in Italy to buy effervescent aspirin and asked him to ship it to me because he couldn’t buy more than two packs of about 15 doses at a time. (He was once asked if he had a drug problem by his local pharmacist, which I found to be absurd. Over plain aspirin! I just wanted enough to not have to worry for about a year.) And I have also booked flights through Heathrow just to go to Boots to buy Nurofen (ibuprofen) and Aspro Clear. I get migraines and find it much easier to swallow aspirin that is dissolved in water, and Nurofen is just brilliant for other kinds of aches and pains. No water needed and tastes a bit like a sweetart! All I can say is that I’m not bringing over the counter pain meds with me when I move to London in September.</p>
<p>I agree that PB is not a very good host gift, but if someone really wants to bring it from home for personal use, it can be bought in plastic jars now.</p>