Do’s and Do Not’s of Packing for your Semester Abroad in Western Australia

Traveling abroad is exciting; however, overweight bags can get expensive fast! When I started to pack for my semester in Perth, I searched for a packing list that would be a good guide for me for the time I would be in Australia. Here is my guide from my experience: the things I brought, what I wish I had brought, and what I would leave behind next time.    

Do’s

• Bring linen blend clothing   
  • During the Summer and early fall, Australia is hot, and having light, breathable clothing is essential. Personally, I bought a short sleeve linen button-up, a pair of linen shorts, a dressier linen dress, and bought a pair of linen blend pants.   

• A capsule wardrobe  
  • Bring pieces you can repeatedly wear without getting sick of them. I often find myself at home struggling with what I want to wear, and I wanted to avoid packing excess clothes or bringing back twice as much as I brought. Here is a complete list of the clothing I brought:   
    • 2 pairs of jeans   
    • 1 pair of casual pants   
    • 1 pair of dress pants   
    • 2 body suits (one which is a white t-shirt cut and a black sleeveless turtleneck one)  
    • 2 pairs of jean shorts   
    • 3 slip dresses   
    • 2 skirts 
    • 4 nice tops   
    • 2 going out tops   
    • 3 pairs of sneakers (a pair of converse, Nike AF1s, and Hoka running shoes)   
    • Birkenstocks   
    • Dressy sandals   
    • Leather flip flops  
    • 2 full piece bathing suits   
    • 4 bikinis    

• Cutlery and plates   
  • Look into your accommodations before you study abroad, I brought a fork, knife, and two plates since I live in an apartment, and I was able to save money by using and bringing something I already had. However, some people prefer buying essential items like this when they arrive.

• Extra pillowcases  
  • I brought three silk pillowcases from home since I have susceptible skin. I change my pillowcases about every three days, and this was perfect for me. I would not suggest bringing this if you do not regularly use them at home.   

• Feminine hygiene products  
  • Bring items you are comfortable with; however, it is hard to find tampons with plastic applicators here, so it is best to bring your own things.   

• Everyday products that you cannot live without
  • There are products I use daily that they do not sell here in Australia; for example, Aquaphor.   

• Small bags   
  • There are a few bags I recommend bringing. Firstly, a tote bag to carry your groceries with. Second, I recommend a mesh bag for the beach. Mesh bags are perfect for sand since the mesh prevents the sand from getting in your bag. I also recommend a small going-out bag like a purse. Lastly, I recommend a small backpack for short day trips or hikes.   

• Small microfiber towel   
  • Packing a beach towel can be heavy and take up a lot of space in your suitcase. I recommend a lightweight microfiber towel. They are relatively small and don’t take up a ton of room, but they are perfect for beach trips since they dry super fast.     

Do Not’s

• Extra sweatshirts  
  • Winter in Western Australia gets down to about 10º Celsius (about 50º Fahrenheit). Some girls in my group brought 3 or 4 sweatshirts, but I would stick to one.

• Your own shampoo or conditioner  
  • One of the girls I traveled with brought her own shampoo and conditioner. However, the shampoo bottle exploded all over her luggage. Most major stores sell shampoo, and it is easier to buy shower essentials here.   

• Pepper spray or pocket Knife  
  • It is illegal to carry these here, so leave them at home!  

• Bring sunscreen that is NOT reef safe  
  • If you decide to swim in the ocean during your time in Australia, I strongly recommend buying reef-safe sunscreen. Reef-safe sunscreen will not put toxic chemicals in the water or damage any wildlife you are swimming in. Most chemists sell reef-safe sunscreen, so you can pick up some before you head out to the beach for the day.   

Helena Entrican, Simmons University, is studying abroad in Australia with TEAN.