PACKING TIPS - EUROPE - STUDY ABROAD

Are you preparing to study abroad, if you have already bought the ticket plane and you have got your VISA, let me share with you some tips to prepare you for lugagge for the trip. 

My name is Mayra Yépez and I am from Ecuador. I am currently living in Hungary, studyng my masters degree with Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. My mayor is Biomedical Engineering.

Let me share some tips and my esperience packing my stuff for  studying in Hungary. Some of this information seems pretty obvius but not for everybody.

I bought a ticket plane in KLM which included two 23 kg suitcases, a carry-on bag and a personal item.

Let´s start with the personal item (it could be a purse or small backpack)

The maximum measurements of the personal item are: 45 x 35 x 25 centimeters
Because it should fit under your seat without difficulty

You must have your documents such as (Passport, ticket plane, identity card, vaccination card if needed. Debit or credit cards, I asked in my bank for a duplicate of my debit card, just in case, I have an extra backup.) Also, the documetns for the university for example: University Acceptance Letter, Scholarship letter, travel insurance document, passport size photo.  
I did the apostille of documents for: The bachelor's degree, if you are about to start your master´s program or your hight school diploma in case you come to study your Bachelor's degree, this is not necessary for the scholarship, neither for your University. But, for some job opportunities in Hungary.

Also, I think is a good idea to take snacks with you, since the trip is long (some people think that it is not allowed, but it is, what is not allowed is liquids of more than 10 mililiters). 
If you have valuable objects such as jewelry or electronic devices take that with you as well in your personal item.

What about the carry on bag?

The maximum measurements of the carry on bag are: 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters

You place it in the overhead bin and the maximum weight is usually 10 Kg

I filled it with my favorite books and my laptop, if you have something delicate or easily to get dammage, don´t send it in the cargo compartment with the rest of the luggage.

Let´s talk about the 23 kg suitcase

Clothes: In Hungary there are 4 seasons so both warm and light clothes will serve you at the time, just don't bring too much, so you don't lose the weight of the suitcase.

There is no beach here but there are swimming pools, hot springs and lakes, remember to bring a bathing suit and sandals

Laboratory apron, if you are pursuing a career in medicine, nutrition, biotechnology, or any career that requires laboratory practices.

Set of sheets, towel and even pillow, Whether you go to the bedrooms or to an apartment, you would not like to occupy something so personal that it is used. When my husband and I arrived at the furnished apartment, the landlord (owner of the house) lent us sheets, blankets and pillows for a couple of months until we had our own. Either way, I regret not bringing my favorite pillow.

Food: because it is not a tropical country, it is difficult or almost impossible to find the fruits that for me were super common and cheap in Ecuador such as soursop, naranjilla, guava, passion fruit, tree tomato, mango, papaya, which is why especially at the beginning it is difficult to adapt to food. If you are able to bring fruit pulp, candy peanuts, doritos, chifles, manichos, tangos and your favorite snacks, do it! The same and you finish them the first month, but it will help you in adapting to the new flavors that you will find here! It is totally allowed to bring packed food in the luggage. Powdered cilantro lasts me a long time and I add it to almost all my meals. Herbs or aromatic waters such as taraxaco, plantain, eucalyptus, horchata and herbs that are not here also work well, old woman agüitas or herbal tea are my favorites at night or before bed, as I have already run out here I have found fruit tea, chamomile and there are other types of tea. If you like morocho or quinoa, bring them too. And please bring Gelatinaaaaaa, if you come bringing let me know and I'll buy it for you, here is something similar to gelatin, which is actually pudding. Definitely bring a box of jello.

Adapters: Cell phones and laptops work in both voltages, so there is no problem, however you need to buy adapters with two round legs, since here the current outlets are different. If something uses rechargeable batteries, bring it, and here you can buy a charger with the appropriate voltage.

Electricity in Hungary works at 220 volts, while in some countries it works at 110 V (as is my case in Ecuador), that can burn your hair straightener, hair dryer, electric shaver and any device that is not manufactured.

Medicine: If you take any medicine that is only available in your country, bring enough. In Hungary you have access to medical care but everything is through the Health System, you may find the same medicine but in other brands, if your medicine is easily replaceable, you can get it here after having an appointment with a local doctor. If it is not, bring what you need for the time you will be. Paracetamol if they sell you without a prescription, just like Voltarén, there is no Chinese menthol around here. If you use any allergy or dermatological medicine, then bring it with you, with its respective medical prescription if possible, so that you do not get confused at the airport. In the spring there is a lot of pollen in the air, if you are allergic, bring some medicine to help you cope.

Photos: They weigh almost nothing, remember to take photos of your loved ones with you so that you can paste them in your bedroom or flat, they will bring back good memories and will make you smile every day. A magnet for the fridge, a small painting, a stuffed animal, the scarf that your grandmother knitted for you, the gloves that a friend gave you, if you suddenly feel nostalgic, it will help you remember those you love.

WHAT NOT TO BRING?

Clothes that you want to bring just in case, if there is a garment that you had cornered in the back of your closet, you bring it to Hungary and you will have it cornered in your new closet. There are some dresses that I left at home and if they would have worked for me in the summer, a couple of sweaters that I don't even know why I left them, that would have worked for me in the winter, but otherwise, everything that I brought clothes I use, according to the season.

Winter coat, if you don't have it, buy it here, it will be cheaper than if you buy it in your country where it's not so hot, because it's more common here, plus you arrive in the fall, in September and you'll have time to buy it until the cold arrives There are even second-hand shops, with coats in good condition and cheap.

Uncomfortable shoes, I live in Pécs and in this city you walk and cycle. The bus or taxi is expensive in my opinion, I feel that I did the right thing leaving my heels in Ecuador because I have not needed them, I brought a pair of formal shoes for some events that I have had, the rest I generally wear comfortable shoes. It is everyone's taste!


Electronic devices that are not suitable for 220 volts, as I said before.


I REGRET THAT I DIDN´T BRING IT


My own pillow.

FLAG OF YOUR COUNTRY: please bring it and take photos everywhere with it, as I would like to have an Ecuadorian flag with me!

My foot massager is battery operated and I could charge it here.


More creams for my husband's allergies.


Another bottle of my favorite perfume, it was from a local business in my city that I loved.


More snacks from Ecuador, sweet peanuts, jelly, bracelets or souvenirs to give away.


Some hair products, I thought to buy them here but I couldn't find them in the same brand.


I did not bring the hair treatment from my favorite stylist Luis Alberto, in the city of Ibarra, my hair has been very damaged and he is the one who repaired it.

Remember

Be at the airport 3 hours before your fly so you avoid all the stress of been in a hurry, do the check in  online 24 hours before your trip if posible so you can save time.
Weight your lugage before of the trip so you don´t get extra charge for being overweight.

Have a wonderful trip, your family and friends love you and they are proud of you. You are so brave!

 

If you are already studing abroad and have more tips please leave a coment below, so you can help somebody to organize their trip.

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