Packing for your move abroad is a little more difficult than packing for a holiday. You’ll need a few tips and tricks to help you pack correctly without missing any items as it’s also important to remember that you can’t pack everything from home for your move abroad.

You might get overwhelmed with the number of things you need to buy and pack but don't worry. We've got you covered. This blog will help you learn how to pack and give you some ideas on how to pack for your move abroad.

You may find that there are a lot of items you wish to take from home but remember you will most likely have a weight limit for your luggage, and you can pack up to three or four suitcases. To simplify, we have broken down five essential tips to help you pack less.

1. Create a checklist.

Making a list will help you avoid overpacking. Considering that you may purchase many items abroad, you will require less than you anticipate. Make a list of all the necessary stuff you'll need and the extras you can't bear to part with because of sentimental reasons.

Break down the list into categories: clothes, kitchenware, stationary, electrical gadgets, bedroom items, medicines and bathroom accessories. Tick them off as you go so you don’t forget anything. For instance, if you are moving to Edinburgh student accommodation, you may know that the weather can be quite extreme, so to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the cold weather, you should make a specific list of essentials for the city.

2. Use vacuum-sealed bags.

Vacuum-sealed bags are a perfect hack for packing clothes and saving space. You can buy vacuum-sealed bags in an Online store or local shops. You can vacuum-seal various items such as hefty winter jackets, that would be difficult to fit in the suitcase. You can stuff many things into the suitcase, condense them, and organize them efficiently.

However, take precautions as vacuum sealing does not work for all items.

3. Purchase a solid suitcase.

When packing a suitcase, you want to fit as much as possible whilst staying within the weight limits. You also want to avoid paying extra fees at the airport. A well-organized suitcase can fit a lot more, is easier to unpack, and helps to keep your valuables safe during the moving process.

Usually, airports are relatively safe while handling tons of luggage daily, however they do have a reputation to toss around and treat suitcases roughly, which can lead to damage, either to the suitcase itself or the items you are carrying inside. Investing in a good suitcase will help you avoid these hurdles.

4. Individually bag essential documents.

Documents such as visas, passports, and certificates, to consider a few, are essential when planning an international move. The last thing you want is to spend hours at the airport trying to find an important document or to arrive only to realise you left them at home. Make sure that all documents are kept in a safe and easily accessible location. This allows you to keep the documents organised and easily accessible as needed.

Ideally, you want to bring all original documents in your cabin bags that you take with you. You could keep certified copies in your suitcases as a backup just in case anything goes wrong. If you are moving to the UK as a student, you will most likely be shifting to a place like student housing London, so you will need all the necessary documents for the lease and any other formalities that need to be done on the day of moving into your accommodation.

  5. Pack your first-day essentials.

 You will need some items to refresh as soon as you reach. For example,  you have arrived at your Student accommodation Kingston, and now you want to spend only a little bit of time unpacking your heavy luggage first thing when you arrive as you will be tired and would only want to rest. To make it easier, pack your essential toiletries in a handy bag to refresh immediately after arriving. Pack some snacks to munch on to save you from having to go out and get groceries. This will help you save time waiting to get something from outside.

Keep your electronics sorted since you will have to start setting up your new network and connecting with everyone back home. Keep your chargers, power banks and anything else that you need while travelling handy.

To sum it up

Even the most experienced traveler can get overwhelmed when it comes to packing for an abroad move so start your packing early to get an advantage. As a student moving abroad, you need to research enough to assist yourself with sorting through and securely packing essential items. Read online and speak with your close ones to learn more about navigating the challenges of an international move. Ask them for details about what is permissible and dealing with customs, shipping, and other issues. Look up the official websites of the country's rules and customs and contact them for any guidance you need. 

About amber

Amber is a student accommodation provider that helps you to reduce hassle during home hunting in a foreign country. Amber student is a one-stop destination for all your accommodation needs. Amber helps with prices and accommodation booking, airport pick-ups, and luggage shipping. Amber aims to provide a stress-free move abroad for students making the big move away from home. 

Author's Bio

Deepshikha Katuri has been into books, films, and poems for the longest time. Being a coffee/tea lover and a big-time foodie, you won't be surprised to find her at the cafe brewing conversations. Her love for writing developed while she was doing her undergraduate in Mass communication and journalism.