Studying abroad can be an exciting, educational, and positively enlightening experience. Most students who go through study abroad programs in their college careers rank them among the greatest times in their academic years, and this exposure to education in foreign cultures is not something to miss out on. Yet it can be overwhelming to prepare for these excursions. It's easy to get caught up in all the excitement and forget what is really important. Prepare in advance so that you can minimize stress, pack intelligently and economically, and make sure not to forget the essentials in favor of unnecessary items.

Remember that you're not moving forever. You're going to be coming back home in just a few months or less, so don't try to pack your entire life into a suitcase. Bring the essentials. You're obviously going to need clothes, and since you're moving for an academic program you're going to need your books. A laptop computer may not be absolutely necessary, but it is definitely better to have one. Be sure to pack all of your necessary documentation--passport,
identification, school paperwork, everything you'll need for safe and legitimate travel.

Look into the climate of your destination when you start packing clothes. If you're going to be spending the fall in Moscow you probably won't need your bathing suits, sandals, and summer threads. Likewise, a summer program in the Mediterranean most likely won't require your heaviest winter garments. Packing appropriately will ensure that you have everything you need while keeping your luggage as light as possible. Don't be too eager to pack up every garment in your closet. A week's worth of clothing should leave you comfortably attired while keeping one day of the week open for laundry time.

Your textbooks are going to be an important part of your luggage. Buy the texts you'll need for your semester abroad in advance, if possible, and bring any books you currently own which will be relevant to your studies. For a semester in Rome, carry along your Italian grammar textbooks, but leave behind the math and chemistry guides if you're going to be focusing on the arts. You want to have everything you need, but you don't want to be lugging a case of bricks through the airport.


--> Don't bother with furniture of any kind. Your living quarters will most likely be furnished well enough before you arrive, and even if they're not, consider this--how much time are you really looking to spend inside your room? Making yourself a comfortable solitary living space when you'll only be spending a couple months in an exciting new land doesn't make much sense. Go light on toiletries as well. These can be a hassle at customs due to airline regulations, and most will be readily available at your destination.

--> Remember, this could be the experience of a lifetime. Students of online MBA degree programs don't get to study abroad. This is a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and learn potentially limitless things--not only in class, but out in the world. Pack smart to make the most of it, and avoid bogging yourself down.