In exactly a week, I will be getting on a plane to go to Scotland for my study abroad trip. In order to prepare, I have been searching all kinds of packing lists and travel tips on Pinterest. I have found many helpful things, and many, many unhelpful things, so here are some of the items and packing tips that I found to be useful.
1. Portable phone charger.
I am bringing my phone and just using it for photos and when I have access to WiFi. It would be really awful to end up stranded with a dead phone, and I may not be able to plug it in somewhere. So, just carry along a portable charger and you're good to go!
2. Roll your clothes in your suitcase.
For smaller items such as shirts, roll them up, They take up a lot less space, and then you can stuff accessories in the spaces around the rolled up clothing. It seriously helps save a ton of space.
3. Outlet converter and adapter.
Not only do the outlets look different in many different countries, but the voltage is often different, too. Having a converter and an adapter will allow you to plug in your electronics and avoid shorting out your devices.
4. Bring things to leave behind.
Since you're probably going to be buying souvenirs, you're going to need to make room in your suitcase. Bring old things or buy cheap things that you don't mind leaving behind, such as towels, sheets, books, or clothing.
5. Buy space bags.
Space bags are awesome for really bulky items, such as sweatshirts, towels, and blankets. Removing the air from these bags allows for more storage and the ability to pack more items in a suitcase.
6. A neck pillow.
I personally am not a huge fan of neck pillows, but I know a lot of people like them. I don't think that they are super comfortable, but I still bought one. Most neck pillows, since they're made for travel, have a loop attached to them, so you can clip it to your carry on instead of trying to fit it inside. It saves space and it does its job just fine.
7. Bring a journal.
You don't have to write a fantastic novel about your trip that you'll publish when you get back home. It's just really nice to have so you can document all of the cool things that you did, and you can look back on it later to remember some of the smaller details that you may have forgotten.
8. Browse Pinterest.
Most of the stuff that I put on this list is from resources that I found on Pinterest. You can search packing lists, how to pack, things to put in your carry on, places to visit, and local foods to try. Do a quick search. There is a ton of information available.
I hope that this list helps you as you pack for your next trip!
