Everything You Need to Pack to Move Abroad For TAPIF

Packing to move abroad can be an overwhelming task. Jalen and I spent weeks over the summer figuring out how to fit all of our belongings into just a few pieces of luggage before we left for the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). If you need guidance on what to bring and how to bring it, keep reading! At the end of the article, we have included lists that feature (literally) every single thing we packed for your reference.

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Downsizing

It was important to Jalen and I not to waste our money buying new items when we knew we already owned more than we could ever fit into a few suitcases. For this reason, we thought critically about how much we could actually pack into our luggage and systematically began to downsize our belongings. In our minds, if we wouldn’t miss an item for eight months, we probably didn’t need to own it at all.

• We started with clothes, shoes, and accessories that didn’t fit or no longer matched our styles. After lots of donating, it was much easier to see what items our wardrobes were actually lacking. We were then able to make sensible purchases that we knew we would be able to take with us.
• We also chose not to buy new travel-sized toiletries and instead filled small bottles we had on hand with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other toiletries. This way, we used up the product left in our full-sized bottles and didn’t have to purchase the overpriced miniature ones that we would only use a few times.

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Missing Luggage

If you’ve ever travelled via airplane, chances are you’ve felt the panic of not seeing your luggage roll around on the carrousel at baggage claim. Although it certainly doesn’t happen to everyone, you should consider the possibility that your checked luggage may be lost or delayed when you arrive at the airport.

In the spirit of planning for the worst while hoping for the best, we recommend that you pack as if your checked luggage will be lost. This means:

• keeping all items of high personal or monetary value out of your checked bag.
• carrying all of your important personal documents with you.
• packing your everyday electronics and chargers in one of your carry-on bags.
• having at least a few full outfits as well as your toiletries in your carry-on bags.

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Make a List

Making a detailed list of all the items you are bringing with you and where they are located will help you in two ways:

1. If any pieces of your luggage are lost or stolen, you will have a list of exactly what items are missing. Not only will this will allow you make an accurate written claim at the airport, but you also won’t have to agonize over not knowing exactly which items are gone.
2. If you’re like the majority of TAPIFers, you probably won’t have permanent housing when you first arrive. This means you may be shuffling between Airbnbs, hotels, and youth hostels for your first few weeks in France. Every time you pack up to leave a place, you can consult your list to ensure that you don’t leave anything behind.

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How many suitcases?

Realistically, Jalen and I knew that we wouldn’t be able to lug around more than the one backpack, one carry-on suitcase, and one checked bag that our airline allotted us. We also weren’t keen on spending any extra money to check more luggage or figuring out how to ship and store any excess items. Depending on your lifestyle, it might seem impossible to pack everything you own into a few bags, but we definitely recommend doing so! We have plenty of clothes, brought all of our electronics, and even had room to bring a few “less-practical” things – like my teddy bear. In general, though, when packing for TAPIF, less is more!

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We hope this article makes packing a little less daunting for you! Let us know if you have any questions or need more information about packing for TAPIF.

Check out our video to prepare to participate in TAPIF!

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