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What to Pack

Take it from the Experienced Travelers: Travel Light!

Essentials In Your Carry-On: Many students use a backpack as the second carry-on item instead of a purse.
  • Wallet and/or travel document holder: A ziplock bag or a zippered pouch to hold:
    • Credit/debit cards
    • Passport (with Visa, if necessary)
    • Secondary ID (Driver's License)
    • Boarding Passes
    • Airline Tickets (some countries still use PAPER TICKETS and you won't be able to board without them)
    • Travel Itinerary
    • Contact name, number, and address of where you are heading (in both English and the host language)
    • Insurance Card (Health & Travel)
  • Electronics: Phone plus charger/adapter. Some students bring iPads or laptops, too, but remember you’re packing light.
  • One complete light change of clothes (in case your luggage is late getting to you)
  • Reading material and journal, with pen/pencil
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Earplugs/noise blocking earphones
  • Eye mask
  • Compact pillow
  • Any necessary medications
  • Any necessary toiletries to freshen up at the airport(s)
  • Pocket pack of Kleenex
  • High protein snack in case you end up missing a meal with travel delays
Essentials In Your Luggage:
  • Copy of your birth certificate (Useful for replacing a lost/stolen passport)
  • Copy of your passport and visa. (Useful for replacing a lost/stolen passport and visa)
  • For PAPER TICKETS: Pack a copy of all pages in your luggage. Paper airline tickets can be difficult (and expensive) to replace, but having copies will help.
  • Clothing: Keep host climate in mind. Tops, bottoms, undergarments, socks, min. 2 pairs shoes, sleep wear, rain wear, swim wear, 1 nice outfit for special events, jacket/coat.
  • Small, inexpensive gifts from Rhodes, Memphis, or your home town to give to special friends/host family at your host site. Examples: magnets, area-specific food items, key chains, etc.
  • School supplies: texts, notebook, pens/pencils
Packing Tips:
  • Only take what you can carry, by yourself, in one trip for one block and up a flight of stairs. There may not be anyone to help you carry your belongings, so be a self-sufficient traveler and only bring what you can take care of on your own. 
  • Plan your clothing in layers, keeping to pieces that work well with each other in multiple combinations.
  • Pack with your host culture in mind. In most of the world, host country locals will be better dressed than you're used to seeing in the States. Be aware of societal norms for men's and women's clothing and be respectful of them.
  • Do not take anything on your trip that you would be devastated to lose or ruin.