Study Abroad Student in Paris

It might be eaiser to give some of the advice if we had a slight hint as to your gender.

We've had several study abroad questions recently here. You might try clicking on the "getting more answers to your questions" link for instructions on how to find those discussions, which were full of information and opinions.

You might consider a raincoat with a removable lining. That could take you through the colder months, and then remove the lining for April and May.

Often you will get advice to take a minimum amount of clothing and buy what the locals are wearing. In Paris this might get expensive but you could shop at thrift shops. However, if your body size or height deviates much from the European norm, don't count on finding much there. This especially applies to shoes if you have big feet.

You'll probably need to take a larger suitcase that will need to be checked for the trip over, and you could take a smaller suitcase or backpack that can be used as a carryon. That smaller one could then be used for short trips around Europe. Check the low cost airlines in Europe like Ryanair to make sure you conform to their very small standards.

Read the packing tips on this site and on onebag.com. Then start your own list that you can add or subtract from. It will help focus you if you're feeling scatterbrained because OMG YOU'RE GOING TO PARIS!!!

I spent a semester in London a few years ago, from September through December and then traveled for a month. Here's what I did: I packed a big wheeled suitcase and a large backpacking pack. I believe I carried on my smaller backpack, which I used for classes.

I ended up buying some clothes, of course, as the semester went on, and when my dad and boyfriend came to visit me on separate trips, I asked them to bring stuff with them that I needed and then sent some clothes home I no longer needed (or fit into ...).

My backpacking backpack worked well for weekend trips and the time I traveled after my program was done. If it's possible to send smoe clothes home when the weather starts to warm up, and have some clothes sent to you that would work well. You'll likely want to buy some clothes there anyway. I'd suggest buying the linens and towels there if you can--that will save you quite a bit of suitcase room.

Have fun!

Sorry that I didn't post more personal information. I am 20 yrs old and female.

Towels & bedding are heavy and will take up precious room in your suitcase Why not buy them when you get to Paris at the nearest Monoprix or at BVH (department stores).

Just so you know, I am the father of two daughters who did long term study and taught for a year in French Ecole's after they graduated--comments are from that view point:
1. take a backpack with a day pack and one roll-a-board--hopefully, a 22" not larger.
2.get an ATM card through a US credit union dad can put $$ in so you can get Euros at low transaction rates. Also have pop put you on his Amex--it is very helpful in an emergency
3. As far as clothes, they never said they took "too few" and, Black is the color of fashion in the EU.
4.No white "trainers" or running shoes.
5. Use the compression bags you can buy at target to fit about 50% more clothes in your pack and suitcase.
6. every shampoo ect is available there, so don't carry it.
7. Don't tell your father every experience--tell your mother.
8. get your phone there, and text-text text!

From Jerry above - best advice on this page: "7. Don't tell your father every experience--tell your mother."

My daughter was in France for a year. She did take 2 suitcases - 1 large and 1 that she could take as carryon for trips. She didn't have to buy linens but did buy dishes and some cooking stuff when she was there and just left it with other students/friend when she departed. So getting the heavy "household" stuff there may be a good idea.

Not sure about your classes, but my daughter never had to buy a book - they were available for the students to use, maybe in the library? Anyway, maybe be different if you are doing an American program or a European one.

And you'll definitely want the french sim-card that you can buy when you land. Very easy. My daughter also had to buy a phone there as the one we had here was not the unlocked GSM. She had a phone within 1 hour of landing.

Clothes - good news/bad news is that it will be fairly chilly most of the time you are there, with some nicer days at the end. Hopefully your parents are planning on visiting - maybe they can come for Spring Break and bring/take clothes. My daughter wore jeans, sweaters, black coat, SCARVES, boots for all the cold days.

Make sure Skype is installed and your parents know how to use it before you go. We spent a total of $15 on long distance charges and I spoke to my daughter VERY often. It was also VERY fun for her to "show" us her apartment, for us to "meet" her friends, etc.

You will have the BEST time - my daughter had a great experience, is now fluent in French, has been back once and one of her closest french friends is visiting next month. A "trip" that will last a lifetime!

Just a quick note. I would not bring linens as the beds will probably be a different size here. People use duvet covers for their blankets too and not flat sheets. You can pick those up at a store when you arrive.

To expand on what Jo has said-if you DO want a flat top sheet, you might want to bring one from home as they may be more difficult to find there. I actually think I might take one the next time I travel. Sleeping with either a heavy duvet or nothing just drove me nuts.

Karen, I'm with you on that top sheet situation. It didn't bother me in the winter or spring, but I hated it in the hot summer. I sleep better when I have something covering me, but the last thing I want when it is warm is a heavy duvet. I have already planned to bring a top sheet to Italy & Germany and just leave it behind when we go there next September.