Student Bloggers
How to Fit Your Life into One Suitcase
Date
May 19, 2015
By Amanda C., Umbra Institute Summer, Italy
Step one
Cue uplifting, exciting music for motivation...
Step two
Make a list of everything you may need in a month. I find that having a list helps me stay organized and not forget anything. If I think of something else I'll just add it on and check it off as I put it in the suitcase.
Here's my list:
Passport, purse(s), camera with charger, phone charger, money and ATM card, license and school ID, multiple books for pleasure reading, laundry bag (mine is mesh and takes up almost no room), vitamins (I've heard these are hard to find in Italy), laptop and charger, two weeks worth of clothing, some socks and sneakers in case I decide to exercise, 1 set of workout clothes (which will probably be pretty ripe by the time they get washed but no matter...), comfortable sandals (!!! which I still need to buy), sunglasses, sun screen (also hard to find abroad), empty water bottle, face wash, toothbrush with a cover for easy travel, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, shampoo and conditioner (which will be tossed on the way back to make room for souvenirs), 3 bars of soap that will hopefully last me for the next month, plug converters, beauty items, bathing suit (for gorgeous beach days!), my iPod and headphones, and some snacks for the plane because I will definitely be peckish during my long flight!
Step three
Actually pack the suitcase... The way you do this is probably important, but I've never been a great packer. Everyone tells me to try to roll clothes into tight bundles, so I will be doing that to maximize space. I'm also packing a lot of dresses because that's an entire outfit in one piece of clothing- you can't go wrong there! Make sure all liquids are in plastic bags in case they open. I personally don't want shampoo all over my clothes, that would not be fun.
Step four
Go to the airport and fly to Rome! My flight leaves on May 22nd and I am so nervous, anxious, and slightly excited! As I write this, I have three days to pack this suitcase and it still is sitting in my room, empty. But then again... I HAVE THREE DAYS! That's plenty of time, right?
Amanda Campbell is a student at Arcadia University and is blogging from her summer abroad at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy.