luggage recommendations for study abroad

When our son did a study abroad in Spain, the advice from the campus office for study abroad recommendede nearly min clothing and one large suitcase. Enough clothing for about two weeks. Their experience was that the students will not be eager to wear their American clothes but will prefer to purchase clothing locally. That was our experience also. When we visited over Spring break he asked to bring an empty suitcase to take home his Am clothing. Which we did. He took one large rolling suitcase and a back pack style carry on bag that was his main bag when traveling in Europe. I think you will find that she will be interested in purchasing local clothing so send the min amount. Yes, she will have trouble handling anything more than one large suitcase and a backpack.

I agree- take minimal clothes. Plan on layers and on buying some items there. 1-2 pair black pants, 1-2 pair jeans, 1-2 kahkis, 2-3 shorts/capris, 2-3 skirts/dresses. 5-8 plain T-shirt type/simple tops some of which are long sleeve,1 light weight sweater, 3-5 button-up type tops (some short sleeve, some long) to layer over Ts, 1 fleece, 1 'blazer' type jacket. 1 windbreaker or rain coat with hood, 1 'winter' coat, 1 swimsuit (optional). 1 pair each: sneakers, walking shoes, sandals,dress shoes- boots??? probably not. 5-7 bras, plenty of undies and socks, pjs and robe, plain flip-flops for shower. This would be suffcient even if she didn't buy anything there. Check with her school, she might be able to ship a box of items before she goes (ship the heavier, bulkier, winter items). If not, and if she will limit the shoes and coats (buy there when needed), she should be able to get by with 1 checked bag and her carry-on. I'd use a soft duffle-type bag for the most flexibility- rolling if she must. Tell her NOT to take things like a blow dryer or curling iron, etc. She will need to buy those things there due to voltage issues. No need to take more than a few days's worth of toiletries or make-up either- buy it there.

While it's been more than a few years, the advice should still apply. I took one stuffed suitcase and a carryon bag, also stuffed. My parents shipped some winter items that I didn't need right away. Layering is key. I did buy some clothing, but not much since I was pretty much broke and wanted to spend my money on travel. Some of the clothing I took was older and I just pitched it at the end.

She will want to buy clothing there. Reasonable stuff can be purchased at Primark, H&M, Zara, etc. and also she will find tons of 2nd hand stores. My daughter loved these in the UK.

Sarah, our daughter's experience was similar to Frank's son. After a few days, she only wore a few of her US clothes; she discovered that she loves shopping in Europe! She spent several weeks traveling before going to her university so she made sure to travel light. Because of that though, she needed to purchase cookware which she just gave to other students when she left.

Sarah, after telling her what you have learned & she insists on all this luggage, allow her the learning experience of dealing with the problem all by herself.

Thank you! Don't know what she will decide- but she will certainly learn a lesson is she overpacks!

When I did my Jan-June exchange I brought 3 suitcases and a carry-on, so I can relate to your daughter. I was fortunate to be picked up at the airport. That being said, I found I didn't need all the clothes and had my parents take back my largest bag when they came to visit. It was still a brutal trek home with my luggage. My suggestion is to have her to a practice run at home. Take her to the airport, drop her off and have her find her way home using public transportation. She how she feels lugging the stuff onto the bus etc.

I absolutely agree with the suggestion for your daughter to try out her loaded luggage at home first. I had to manage a 26" wheeled suitcase which was overpacked, carryon and purse in the London Underground by myself a few years ago. Some of the escalators are very steep and crowded. It was scary to manage my load going up and down. The Underground has no elevators, at least as far as I know. Then my suitcasestupid megot stuck in the turnstile. Fortunately a very nice man came along and helped me carry my suitcase up the stairs. I exited the Underground into a fierce rainstorm. The traffic was horrible as I struggled to find my bearings and my hotel. I just could not face the Underground again for my return to Heathrow, so I paid a huge cab fee back. I've been conjuring up that experience each time I pack now hoping to do better. Hope your daughter has a fabulous time in London!

I did a semester at Oxford with one 24" bag full and a purse. Just pack things that mix and match and she can get away with half of what she's suggesting. Having said that, she'll only have one travel day on each end. If she's willing to deal with those days being a bit difficult (and the luggage fees), why not?

Four months is virtually no time. To give you some reference, I took about as much as your daughter is considering taking when I moved to Sweden for two years. It was a pain to move that much stuff, but I needed some of the reference materials and there it was worth bringing a winter gear. Ideally, she would want to leave with a suitcase half empty and come back with one completely full, plus a backpack for eventual side trips. That would be about it.

Sarah, Our oldest daughter did a study abroad last January for 4 months in Ireland. She took a 28" rolling duffle, carry on and a backpack. She used compression bags to pack her clothes. While the bags still weighed the same they were crammed full. We were lucky that a friend was living outside of Dublin and picked her up at the airport, otherwise she would have taken a cab.

I spent a year as an exchange student and took two large suitcases plus a school backpack as a carry-on. However, one suitcase was actually mostly gifts for my host families and which left me a lot of room to bring stuff home. Plus, I knew I'd be picked up at the airport and that I wouldn't have to deal with all the luggage on public transport. So, I suspect that, for a semester and with no host family gifts to worry about, she should be able to get by with one suitcase. However, if she wants two suitcases, she might want to consider replacing one of the suitcases with a duffel of some sort for ease of transport. Dragging two large suitcases plus a carryon through public transport could be too much for one person. However, a suitcase, a duffel, and a small carry-on might be manageable, especially if the duffel isn't too heavy. Duffels are lighter than suitcases and give her another option for carrying her stuff through public transport. I like North Face Base Camp duffels which can be carried either as a duffel with a strap or as a backpack with its straps. They're incredibly durable and pretty darn water-resistant, which is nice in Northern Europe! Another good and less expensive option would be an L.L. Bean duffel since they come in rolling and non-rolling models and are also pretty darn durable.

Definitely only take one suitcase...even if she uses the vacuum bags and packs it super full and it's over weight, that's better than 2 suitcases.