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Suggested Packing Items

studentsPLEASE PACK LIGHTLY! You alone will be responsible for carrying all of your luggage, including to and from all airports and hotels. The fewer items you bring, the easier your transport while traveling around the U.S. Using luggage with wheels is strongly recommended.

The summers are extremely hot and humid in Austin, so bring light colored clothing in materials such as cotton or linen. Austin is a very casual city, especially for the students.

Typical student fashion includes shorts, sleeveless tank-top shirts and flip-flop sandles.

The following is not a definitive list, but should give you a good guide as to what you should pack for enjoying your time in Austin, Chicago and D.C.

 

 

Clothes

  • Shorts/skirts
  • Jeans
  • T-shirts
  • Nightwear
  • Swimwear
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Casual shirts
  • Business attire
    • (You will need one outfit appropriate for a business meeting. You do not need to bring a suit or buy new clothes.)
  • Summer dresses
  • Dress/going out clothes (for evenings out, not too formal)
  • Warmer layers for air conditioned buildings/classrooms

Shoes

  • Thongs/flip flops/sandals
  • Going out shoes
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Toiletries

  • Toiletry bag
  • Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant
  • Make up, moisturizers and hair products
  • Sunscreen

Miscellaneous

  • Aspirins/Prescription medicines in clearly labeled containers
  • Prescription glasses/Contacts and contact solution
  • Card listing allergies and medical conditions
  • Sunglasses
  • Plastic bags
  • Pens and writing materials
  • Rechargeable phone card
  • Power adapters
  • Travel Clock
  • Small first aid kit
  • Camera with extra film/storage (memory card)
  • Family pictures (this may reduce homesickness)
  • Extra passport photos

Travel Documents To Take With You

  • Passport with required visas
  • Health book (record of immunizations)
  • Airline tickets (many countries require round trip ticket for entry)
  • Drivers license
  • Cash (US currency)
  • Major international credit cards (ie. American Express, VISA/MasterCard)
  • Airline frequent travel cards
  • Telephone numbers at destinations and addresses in countries to be visited
  • Copy of your passport (photo and visa pages) and other travel documents
  • Commercial invoice for laptop computers, etc. - check with the destination office on this

Label your suitcase inside and out with your name and your home address and perhaps attach a sticker, ribbon, patch or other unique identifier to your luggage to make it easier to spot.

Carry a copy of your passport, visas, travel and other important documents with you in your carry-on luggage. You should also leave a copy of all this information at home with someone trusted and contactable while you are away.

Don’t pack your travel documents and passport in your checked luggage; rather take it with you in your carry luggage.

Remember to bring more than enough of any medication you might need along with you and carry prescriptions for any medications that you carry with you.

Check with your airline to find out its regulations for what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on bags. Do not put any sharp objects like nail scissors, razors, or pocketknives in your carry-on. Such items may be considered a threat to safety and could be taken away from you. Pack them in your checked baggage instead.