Dear friends,

If you’re reading this, you are probably considering studying abroad at Harlaxton College. Or, if you’re lucky, you’ve already been accepted into the program and are getting ready to embark on your own adventure of a lifetime. Regardless of where you are in your journey to Harlaxton, us Harlaxton alum are so excited for you! To those of you considering it: go apply. Right now. And if you’re getting ready to leave: buckle up.

When I went to Harlaxton in the spring of 2018, I had no idea what to pack. How do you fit four months worth of clothes in one suitcase? In a mix of anticipation and fear that I wouldn’t bring the things I needed, I started ‘practicing’ packing two weeks before I left. While it’s definitely good to take a few trial runs when you pack, it doesn’t have to be something you panic at the thought of. To save you some stress, here are my 5 steps of packing for the best four months of your life!

Step 1: The Suitcase

Here’s the deal with the suitcase: you’re going to see it twice. Once when you are leaving America, and once when you are leaving England. If you already have a good suitcase and you love it, great! If you have one and you hate it, sweet! Use it anyway! Like I said, you’re only going to use it twice. If you don’t have a suitcase, buy one that swivels! I can only assume it makes maneuvering the 15-mile trek (slight exaggeration) through London Heathrow Airport much easier when your suitcase doesn’t have a super restricted range of motion. I had a large suitcase, a duffle, and a backpack for all of my things.

Most airlines have a weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag. Get yourself a nice, big suitcase and try not to reach that weight limit! Remember to leave some room for the cool souvenirs you’re going to pick up along the way! Pro tip: wear your heaviest shoes on the plane, and put some of your heavier (carry-on friendly) things in your carry-on.

Step 2: The Backpack

This is possibly the most important thing to remember: your backpack is going to be with you everywhere you go. You will wear it to class, you will wear it on trains, and sometimes you will wear it for an entire day walking around Scotland, filled with everything you brought with you that weekend. Your backpack should be big enough to fit everything you need for a weekend trip but not big enough to be counted as a ‘larger bag’ on Ryanair flights. It should also be something you like to look at, because you’re going to see it every day of your life.

Step 3: The Clothes

The toughest thing to figure out about packing for Harlaxton is what you’re going to wear for four months. I know it seems daunting, but it really isn’t as bad as it seems. This isn’t a time for you to reinvent your wardrobe right before you leave, but it is a time to really think about the things you like to wear on a regular basis while you’re at home, and maybe a time to play the minimalism game. You can try to pack 30 shirts ‘just in case’, but you’re still only going to wear the same 7-9 on repeat every single week.

Some things to think about:

• Layer! There’s no way you can efficiently pack for the weather in England AND in all of the other countries you’re going to visit without layering.
• Live your truth. Wear your truth. Don’t try to reinvent yourself as you pack!
• Anything you leave at home can probably be replaced with something better from Primark.
• You can borrow things from your cool new world-traveling friends!

What to pack:

• Basic tees (7-10). Things you can wear with anything, a million different ways. You can dress these up for presentations or wear them on a regular day!
  
• Sweaters/sweatshirts (1-2). Remember you’re probably going to buy a Harlaxton sweatshirt, so you really don’t need to bring more than one sweatshirt from home. Sweaters are good for some cute layering on chilly days (or, you know, winter in Sweden).
  
• T-shirts (5). For working out, hanging out, napping out, etc.
  
• Cardigan (1-2). One to be simple, two if you want some variety in your layering game.
  
• Your favorite flannel (1). My friend Hannah was lost without it until her friend visited from home and brought it to her.
  
• A heavy jacket! England is COLD!
  
• Winter things. Gloves, hat, scarf, fleece pants and shirt, warm socks.
  
• Leggings/sweatpants (2-4). You’ll want a few pairs of leggings that you’ll wear on rotation all week in the manor and on long traveling days.
  
• Jeans (2). Two pairs will take you a long way. Until you go to Primark looking for a belt and buy two new pairs of jeans instead.
  
• Formal dress (1-2). I brought and wore two. If you want to bring one, make it black, ladies. It will never fail you.
  
• Casual dress (1-2). If you are a casual dress person, go for it! I brought one and wore it once.
• Socks and underwear. Enough to last you long enough to not have to do laundry all the time.
  
• Swimsuit. There’s no pool at Harlaxton, but there are thermal baths in Budapest!
  
• Tennis shoes. For working out/going for walks/riding bikes!
  
• Heels/flats (1). Some people never wore their heels, but I did! You know what you like, so don’t let anyone talk you out of bringing your favorite pair of comfy flats or killer heels.
  
• Everyday shoes (1-2). If your Vans or Converse are comfortable to walk 15 miles in a day in through London, awesome! My feet said no to that, so I got a pair of boots that are good for walking and light hiking (and are super cute).
  
• Sandals (1-2). This is where you find out if your friends are Chaco people or Birkenstock people.
  
• Shower shoes (1). Just a pair of old flip flops you don’t mind throwing away at the end of the semester.

If you ask anyone what I wore on a regular day at the manor, they would picture me in a pair of black leggings, Chacos, and my Harlaxton sweatshirt. I know people who looked nice every day and others who wore their pajamas to class every day. Harlaxton may look glamorous on the outside, but I promise you most everyone inside stops trying to look like British royalty by week two. Don’t overthink it!

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Step 4: Toiletries

In the toiletry department, England will have a lot of the same things as America. It’ll also not have a lot of the same things. Here’s what you should think about/plan on bringing with you in your suitcase!

• Deodorant (2). They probably won’t have your brand when you run out. Or it’ll all be in spray form. Either way, it’s a bad situation.
  
• Contact solution. Bring a large bottle to keep at the manor and a few travel-sized bottles for flights.
• Toothpaste. If you use a certain brand and you’re not open to change, it’s safe to bring an extra tube just in case!
  
• Face wash (2). I use a specific face wash, and I ran out while I was there because I only brought one bottle.
• Moisturizer. If you use a specific kind, bring it (and a travel-sized one) along with you!
• Makeup. You know what you use! And the drug stores in Grantham have everything a CVS would have.
  
• Refillable travel-sized containers. Save some money on buying new travel-sized products every time you run out and get this awesome set!

Step 5: The Other Stuff

• Money. Don’t bring a lot of US cash to convert in other countries, because they’ll charge you way too much. ATMs are your friend, and credit cards are very useful when used responsibly!
• Plug adapter. Did you know US plugs are different from UK plugs are different from European plugs? Luckily, they put ‘em all into one box you can get on Amazon.
• Refillable water bottle. Saves the planet, saves you money, and saves you from dying of dehydration! I brought a 32 oz Nalgene that I love!
  
• Smaller purse-type bag. I had one of those special anti-theft travel bags for days when I could leave my backpack in a hostel or Airbnb, but feel free to be more fashionable than me. Just don’t get your things stolen.
• Blanket. Harlaxton is cold. I never brought my blanket on trips, but I’m so happy I had it in my room and when I hung out in the lounges. You can always buy one for under £10 at ASDA.
  
• Travel pillow. There are nifty inflatable ones that won’t take up any space when you aren’t using them, but there is also one I bought in the Leeds airport that you can convert from a neck pillow to a little square pillow, which is perfect for sleeping on airport floors.
  
• Some of your favorite snacks. You’re going to find new favorite snacks in different countries, but it’s very easy to get hungry at the manor and wish you had a nice bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos from the good ol’ US of A. Also, Nacho Cheese Doritos are not the same in every country, and Tangy Cheese Doritos are a HARD PASS. I also hear Skittles are different across the pond, if that means anything to you. Snickers taste refreshingly the same.

What to buy at Poundland/Morrison’s/ASDA

Whether you planned to buy it in Grantham or you accidentally left it at home, at least one of your three new favorite stores probably has what you’re looking for! Here are some things you’re going to want to look for when you get to England.

• Shampoo/conditioner/body wash. If you can get a bottle of each for £1 at Poundland, there’s no need to worry about fitting it in your suitcase!
• Laundry detergent. I’m not sure why you would try to fit this in your suitcase, but if you considered it . . . no need.
  
• School supplies. If you are pen snob like me, bring your favorite pens with you. Otherwise, Poundland has some great low-quality pencils that I never used and high-quality ballpoint pens that I still use! Find notebooks at Poundland or ASDA!
• An extra towel. Harlaxton supplies bedding and one towel, but if you want an extra towel you can get a cheap one at Morrisons or ASDA!

If you’ve studied at Harlaxton, what is something you wish you’d brought with you and something you wish you’d left at home? Leave your packing tips in the comments!