Hi, I’m Jackie from Seremban, Malaysia, currently pursuing BA(hons) Interior Architecture in Teesside University. Since my friend, Jesmine has covered her story upon her arrival in Middlesbrough; I would share my thoughts before the departure. For this issue of blog I would write about pre-departure most hassle procedure -->PACKING!

Studying abroad can be an exciting adventure in life as you’ll be living in a different country for a semester, a year or even 3 years for some. Living in a different country means a change of lifestyle, culture, food, climate and etceteras. Therefore it is essential to prepare beforehand what you’ll need to bring along and what’s not to. I know it is not easy to foresee what is essential to pack along and what’s the ‘everything’ you’re going to need for the next few coming months. Well, that’s why I am writing this; to share tips of packing after my personal experience of arriving in a brand new country.

The first step of packing is understanding the airport regulations:

Does the airline provide extra ‘kilograms’ for students studying abroad?

To Bring or NOT to Bring?
Now, after you’ve got your extra big luggage bag which you can fit yourself into, introducing the real deal --> Essential Packing Checklist.

1. Clothes/ Shoes

Be sure to research on the climate of the country you’re going to. The season/climate determines what kind of clothing to pack and what you should be wearing upon your arrival. Remember to pack light on clothes because you’ll need all the space for miscellaneous stuff. I repeat it is not necessary to pack clothing for all four seasons. It is cheaper to get winter clothing here. Fashion outlets such as Primark offers a variety range of quality and affordable clothings. Do pack few long sleeves shirts and one or two jackets to wear for the time being before you get to go shopping. For Teesside student who would arrive in Middlesbrough during September should make sure you have a jacket on once you step out of the airport, you may be ‘astounded’ by the cold wind since Southeast Asia country is hot and humid all year long.
One important thing is to dress comfortably, especially a pair of good walking shoe. You will walk more that you ever expect. Girls!!! Stop hesitating to leave your pairs of gorgeous looking heels, you’ll need all the space u have. You just need a pair of walking shoes, a pair of indoor slippers, a pair of nice one for outings and maybe a pair of sandals too(if you have a tiny bit of space left). I find having a pair of indoor slippers is a relief as the non carpeted flooring is extremely icy to touch in the cold country; and it would come handy just in case the flooring of your accommodation is not clean or not easy to walk on bare footed.



2. Toiletries/Cosmetics/Spectacles/Eye Care Products
Bring toiletries and cosmetics in travel kit size. You can purchase most toiletries and cosmetic brands easily here, so do bring only the brand names products that you think is not likely to be available overseas. Plus, the travel kit toiletries and cosmetics would come to a use again when you travel from here to explore other places.

Shades, long-sighted, short-sighted… Bring all the spectacles you need, and one extra if you could. For those who use contact lenses, do stocks up and possible bring supply for at least six months? Contact lenses and lenses solutions can be pricey in England. But most of the eye care product brands are available here.

Here is the list of common toiletries & cosmetics brands available across Southeast Asia country and also England. (This information will be useful to help you decide the brands names you should bring just in case it is not available in England.)

Hair Care : Pantene, Sunsilk, Rejoice, Head & Shoulder, Palmolive, L’Oreal, Tony & Guy, Herbal Essence, Vo5, Tresemme, Elvive, Dove, Wella, Johnson’s, Toni & Guy …and many many more.

Face & Body : Dove, Nivea, Radox, Sanex, Palmolive, Neutrogena, Maybelline, L’Oreal, Simple, Johnson’s, Olay, St.Ives, Vaseline, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Gillette, Lynx, Cuticura, Garnier, Palmers, ROC, Bio-Oil, Biore, Imedeen, Revlon, Biotherm … Ect (I love Rosken’s Body Lotion, unfortunately I don’t see this product marketed here)

Cosmetics : Most International brand names such as Benefits, Max Factors, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, The Body Shop ect is available here. (I couldn’t find Shu Eumura and Shiseido in Middlesbrough though, I’m sure you can find it in bigger cities; maybe London)

Eye care : Complete, Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Ciba Vision, Aosept, Solo Care, Alcon, Allergan… ect

3. Medications & Vitamins
Think hard on anything that you cannot live without, especially daily basis medication; applied or consume,BRING ENOUGH TO LAST THE ENTIRE YEAR! Be sure to consult your doctor what is the medicine and what it does. Make a note of the drug name, sizes and purposes and keep safely. Just in case you lose the medicine or are out of supply.
It is good to have the habits of taking dietary supplements and vitamins. As your body is still adapting to the changes of climate and change of diet, your body may not be functioning at its best. Therefore, taking dietary supplements will act as a ‘dietary insurance’ to get what your body needs. This will assure that you are up at your best performance. So bring some or you can easily get some safe vitamins and supplements in UK.

4. Electronics
Bear in mind that the electrical current and plug shape may be different from where you come from. Do the research and get electricity or plug converters if needed. Good news for Malaysian students, the plug shape and current is the same but do bring a 3-pin to 2-pin plug converter (see pic.) if you have appliances with 2-pin plug point.
Reminders: Keep items such as laptops and mobile phones in hand carried baggage while you travel.

5. Personal Items
You’ll be living in a different country, so do make space to bring along your favourite stuff. A familiar or personal item will ease some home sickness. It is always nice to have a favourite book, pictures, music or even a plush teddy by side.

6. Miscellaneous Items
Bed sheets & Pillow Cases –Bring the most colourful ones you have, to brighten up your dorm.
Face & Body Towel -Need I say more? It’s the essential item.
Tiny Lock –Comes handy if you stay in a shared dome.
Tiny Torchlight –To sneak out at night. Just kidding 
Cameras –DSLR or Digital Compact, invest one to capture all the adventure you’ll have in UK.
IPods –The boredom saver.
Study Materials –ie scale ruler, T square, measuring tapes… (For Interior and Architecture students)
Money –It is good to have a credit card for emergencies. Keep some currency of the country you’re going to, or have traveler’s checks. ATM cash cards too.
Mini Hair Dryer –Never have bad hair day!
Chocolate Bars –Keeps you going during long flight transits.