How to pack for Feb-June in Nice France for study abroad

I checked the weather averages in Nice for the months that you will be there and it looks like sweater weather. It can be pretty windy in Nice so you should have an all weather jacket. I think that students dress mostly the same casual style every where. So unless you are going to a really posh school that has formal occasions; wear what you would at home. It doesn't get really hot there until Summer and maybe May when you can buy something lighter. When I traveled in France for a month I based my wardrobe on two piece outfits in a choice of 3 basic colors that I could mix and match and wear with a jacket or coat sweater. You may have an apartment: but you may not have any closets. They tend to have Wardrobe Cabinets with not a lot of room. Easy care clothes are always the best idea. They do have laundry mats, so you really don't need more than a week of changes. Remember you may want to buy some new clothes once you get there and see what is trendy...they do have bargain shopping at the street markets!

Most places to which you will travel on weekends are likely to be colder than Nice, so you'll need enough layers to be comfortable in those environments, too. Surely you'll be going to Paris, Amsterdam and London, right? They're all likely to be damp as well as chilly, though of course you can try to head to southern Italy and southern Spain for your first trips and hold off till April/May for some of the more northern locations.

A lot of folks here have made winter trips to Europe (I have not), so I'm sure they'll be able to give you some specific suggestions. But think layers as much as possible; that's more flexible than a single heavy coat intended for the worst imaginable weather. And don't overdo it on the slacks/blouses. They'll fill your suitcase and cause problems when you head home encumbered by souvenirs (and possibly textbooks).

You'll probably take advantage of the bargain European airlines to fly to some of your more distant weekend destinations. For that you'll need a small and lightweight bag of some sort. You'll want to go carry-on-only to avoid checked-baggage fees, and the European carry-on limit is typically much smaller and much lighter than what we have in the US. I suggest Googling for information on the size limits for some of the largest European carriers: EasyJet, RyanAir, and Vueling.

A waterproof jacket with a hood - if you can find one with a zip-out lining, that would be all you'll need. An inexpensive waterproof rain hat. You won't need rain boots. An umbrella is often useless, due to high winds. A couple of heavy scarves, which might be cheaper to buy when you arrive. Good socks and excellent walking shoes.
Layers are important - you probably won't need more than one or two heavy sweaters. Shops and restaurants are always over-heated. Classrooms might not be.
Very good advice about the size of your apartment and the lack of closet space. You might not have much space at all, so you'll have to make a serious effort to edit your stuff. European kids don't have much clothing, and often wear the same thing over and over again - accessories (except scarves and bonnets) are not important.
It would be a good idea to limit yourself to 2 lightweight, medium-size suitcases. You can always buy a cheap bag for short trips in the "bazaars" or "drogeries".

I would take one 24 inch suitcase, a computer or messenger bag for the plane, and pack an expansion bag (folding duffle) or buy something like that cheaply there. Build the wardrobe around a couple pair of comfortable shoes, a rainjacket/windbreaker, and layers. For much of the time in Nice skirt and top or jeans and top and a sweater or wrap will be fine. Plan on buying a few things there when you see what other students are wearing or discover holes in your wardrobe. Take a bathing suit of course and sandals you an wear on the beach. You can buy any cosmetics or hygiene items you need in France and the pharmacists can help with cold meds or such that you might need -- no need to take a lot of that sort of thing -- just take a dop kit with travel size items and stock up once you get there on shampoo etc. If you have a dual voltage small travel hair dryer take that -- it will probably cheaper to pick one up in the US. Take a handful of plug adapters -- also cheap in the US -- and don't take any device that is not dual voltage. Computers, cameras, phones etc are pretty much all dual these days, but of course check yours. The expansion bag can serve as a weekend bag for travels in the region and to haul stuff you buy back -- you can carry that on on the way back.

Nothing makes travel more unpleasant or living in a small place more unpleasant than packing a bunch of stuff you don't need. A basic wardrobe (I do black pants/fitted Ts and then accessorize) that you vary with overshirts or scarves or whatever, really works well for travel and looks more chic than lots of completely different outfits that may be out of place where you are. (ballet dancers basics are a good model for this)

Libby,
You've received some great advice here!

Here's my experience...

My daughter studied in Scotland last Spring semester (January 3rd - end of May) & she had a similar dilemma, except that she did need to pack a winter wardrobe consisting of a waterproof down coat, gloves, hat, waterproof hiking boots, wool socks, long underwear, etc, etc... You will definitely not need all of this in Nice!

I think most of us would tend to over pack for such a long stay... However, I suggested that she take only one 24" roller suitcase, a small duffle bag & a small backpack.

She laid out all the clothes that she wanted to take (she usually takes two 24" suitcases of clothes to college, but we drive there), then chose less than half, & we packed the 24" suitcase & weighed it a week or so before her departure. The suitcase weighed about 20#. She wore her hiking boots, and packed her coat, gloves, hat, scarf & a change of clothes (in case her suitcase didn't arrive with her) in the duffle bag which she took as a carry-on. She also packed her laptop & a few essentials in her backpack.

• Keep in mind that you will need to manage your own luggage when you
  arrive & when you travel (back home), so you don't want to over pack & regret
  lugging around a huge suitcase (as some of her friends did)

• You will want to buy a few cute clothes in France (or on your travels), so there's no point in over stuffing your suitcase, besides, you'll have access to a laundry room in your apartment building. My daughter packed her favorite jeans (even the ones with holes, & wore leggins under them when it was really cold out!), tops, sweaters, socks & lots of underwear.

• She purchased her toiletries there & only took a small bottle of shampoo, conditioner, lotion & a bar of soap, for the first week or so.

• She packed a small amount of make-up, but then informed me that she didn't even wear any of it, as most of the other female students did away with it too! You're young & beautiful, so can get away without any make-up too ;-)

• She did have to do laundry more often than she does here, but she managed just fine, with her limited wardrobe.

• At the end of her studies, we did end up sending a couple of packages home, especially because we traveled for a few weeks & didn't want to lug around all the extra weight (souvenirs & all of her winter stuff). If you need to send some stuff home, look for a, "Mailboxes, etc" shop for best shipping prices.

• She used her duffle bag when she traveled with her friends, but did say that it became annoying carrying it around, so you might find an inexpensive small roller bag when you're there.

• If you've not done yet, do consider talking with other students from your university, who have studied in Nice. My daughter got some good tips from previous students... such as best bargain stores, places to eat, things to avoid, etc...

• If you plan your trips in advance, you can save money by booking your flights via Ryanair or easyJet, but make sure to read all the fine print regarding luggage limits, printing boarding passes, getting to airport early for boarding, etc, etc... My daughter & her friend missed a flight because they misread the departure board & were waiting at the wrong gate! When they arrived at the correct gate, they were not allowed to board, because it was passed their time limit, despite the fact that the plane was still there...

• You'll need a good lock to store your valuables when staying in hostels during your travels.

• BTW, we found a cute shop by the name of, 'Jennyfer', when we were visiting Avignon, where she got a very cute sundress, a skirt, and a couple of tops. Provence was warm when we were there in early June. There's a Jennyfer shop in Nice too ;-)

• Enjoy your study abroad experience & stay safe (don't carry your cell phone in your back pocket! ;-)

Libby,

I forgot to mention that my daughter took a very small purse that she wore cross-body & in front of her body when walking around.

Beware of pickpockets when traveling in cities. Keep your valuables safely stored in interior pockets, if possible.

My daughter refused to take a money belt but I always wear one when I travel & I've not lost anything valuable thus far...

Have a wonderful time in Nice!

Everybody wears leggings and jeggings and either long t-shirts or long sweaters, as the weather requires. Easy to pack, wash and dry. You need one purse with a long strap and maybe one smaller one for going out.
The most important thing will be shoes that you will be able to walk in for many miles. Forget ballet flats - a pair of good sneakers would be a better choice. You can always buy a cheap pair of sandals for going out.

libby,

For short weekend trips or whatever during your time in France, you could use either a small Duffle or a Backpack. A Backpack would be easier to carry and much easier for getting around European cities with cobblestone streets. As they're compressible, a Backpack is also easier to fit on narrower overhead racks on trains.

If your budget will allow, you could look at something like these....

• https://www.tombihn.com/collections/travel-bags/products/night-flight-duffel?variant=16396862343

• https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synapse-19?variant=16396833543 (the Backpack could also be used during days at class, to carry books, laptop, pencils, toiletries or whatever - they also have a slightly larger version of the one shown)

One additional point to mention. If you decide to travel with RyanAir be sure to check the airport details, as they sometimes use airports which are a LONG way from the cities they advertise. For example, Beauvais is quite some distance outside Paris. Also as Priscilla mentioned, be sure to read the Terms & Conditions carefully for whatever airlines you decide on. I always use easyJet whenever possible, as the experience with them has always been "easy".