Don't wait until you get to the airport to find out you've packed too much.  Check out these tips and plan ahead.

 

by Jess Lander

 

You’re going away to a foreign country for anywhere from three months to a year, maybe more. You don’t know what to expect, so you want to pack everything you own: clothes and shoes for every occasion in every type of weather, medicines, hygiene items, sheets, towels – extras of everything just in case – all your school supplies, plus posters, pictures and stuffed animals from your room so you feel closer to home. You push and pull your overflowing bags with every bit of strength you have up to the ticket counter at the airport, unaware that there is a limit on how much your luggage can weigh. You drop it on the scale, the numbers jump and then settle down, and the check-in person sweetly informs you that you either need to take things out, or pay a hefty fine. Here’s how to avoid both.

Know the airline’s luggage requirements beforehand. Luggage restrictions will vary for each airline, so it’s important to find out their policies before you pack to make sure you’re bag won’t be overweight or too large. However, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA), most airlines allow two checked bags and have a 50-pound limit for each, or a 70-pound limit overall. They can also be up to 62 inches. Still, some airlines allow more, some less, so double check. Go to the TSA website for all airline restrictions, or visit the site of the airline you are flying. A friend of mine who is currently traveling with me made the mistake of not checking beforehand. She thought it would be more convenient to fit everything into one big bag. However, it ended up being extremely overweight and they fined her $200 in order to take it on the plane.

As for carry-on luggage, most airlines allow one bag, plus one personal item like a purse, laptop, or briefcase. However, they need to be small enough to fit in an overhead compartment or under your seat. Be careful, because if you already have two bags, you will have to pay to check your carry-on if it’s too big. The weight might be restricted as well. According to Travel Insider, while many American airlines are very laid back when it comes to enforcing their policies, some international airlines are ridiculously strict, so again, double check ahead of time. TSA will provide information on carry-on policies as well. Also, remember that due to increased airport security, you are also forbidden from carrying on several items including any liquids unless they are in a three-ounce container.

Pack by season. Research how the weather is where you’re studying for the time of year you are visiting. If it’s in the summer, you can pack lightly because you won’t need to pack your coats, sweaters, and long underwear. If you’ll be traveling in the spring, you will probably want to bring an umbrella and some sort of waterproof jacket. Coat your shoes with waterproof spray so they don’t get ruined. If you are studying in the winter, be aware – it is the most difficult time of year to pack for because clothes are both bulkier and heavier. Pack only one heavy coat to help with space and limit yourself to one winter hat, scarf, and pair of boots. Try to remember that you aren’t studying abroad to look cute, and you shouldn’t worry so much about fashion and matching. Also, fill your boots with little things like hygiene items, and wear your coat on the plane to leave more room in your suitcase. Lastly, make sure you have at least one practical item for every kind of weather, or items that will adapt to anything, like a good pair of sneakers. You never know what to expect. One day will be sunny, and the next it could be snowing (If you’re a Boston student, you know exactly what I mean). Therefore, have for example, at least one warm jacket, one rain jacket, and a pair of shorts. You’ll be ready for anything.

Put heavy things and valuables in your carry-on. If you want to reduce weight in your checked bags, put the heaviest things in your carry-on. For example, your schoolbooks are likely to weight a lot. Wear any heavy boots or coats on the plane. Also, don’t put any valuables in your checked bags; they could get lost, and things can be stolen out of them easily. Keep things like your money, passport, laptop, iPod, camera, jewelry, film and anything else expensive with you.

Leave room to spare. Without a doubt you will be returning with more than you left with. You’re bound go to shopping and buy clothes and souvenirs, as well as gifts for friends and family back home. Keep this in mind when you are packing and leave some room in your bags. Also, when you are returning, you can get rid of things that you got cheap or won’t need back home to allocate space for new things. For example you won’t need your hair dryer with a European plug in America. Also, leave behind things like extra shampoo or sneakers that are worn out from your travels.

Wait and buy things there. To save space, you should just wait and buy certain things when you arrive in your host country. This might include hygiene items, film, school supplies, etc. You might even find out if your host family or dorm will have certain items for you to borrow and use, like sheets and towels. My dorm for example, sells things like laundry detergent so we have one less thing to pack.

However, it’s also important to realize that some things you won’t be able to get there, especially if you happen to be traveling to a developing country. In that case, make sure you have enough of the things you need to last your entire stay. It is especially crucial if you are on any sort of prescription to get enough refills for the whole time you will be away. If there is a type of food you feel you can’t live without that you won’t be able to find outside of the US, you might want to bring a small stash along with you.

Decide what you don’t need. When you’ve got your little brother sitting on your suitcase and you still can’t zip it up, it’s time to leave a few things behind. This is where you need to distinguish between the things you want to bring and the things you need to bring. If you are going to have access to laundry on a regular basis, you don’t need a month’s worth of outfits. Minimize the number of bulky things you pack like jeans, sweaters and shoes. Bring practical items for your travels: pack sneakers over heels, jeans over skirts, a big warm jacket instead of 3 lighter ones. Bring one nice outfit just in case, but you most likely won’t have use for several dresses or suits. Before packing something, ask yourself, “Is this something I can live without for a little while?” You’ll be surprised to find how much you don’t need things you used to consider necessities. I for instance am finding it almost a relief not to have a cell phone. I’m focusing more during class and am not wasting so much time (or money) texting and calling people. It might also help if you can coordinate with your roommates if you have any. You don’t need three hair dryers, three hair straighteners, and three hair curlers. You can each bring one and share.

If sitting, standing, and even jumping on your suitcase doesn’t work and you still can’t zip it shut, try using space-saving compression bags, which you can find at stores like Bed Bath and Beyond. You will be amazed at how much you can fit into one plastic bag just by squeezing and rolling. They saved me a great deal of room, and the makers claim it saves up to 75% more space.