Packing can be a very stressful process and it may be especially challenging if you plan to study abroad for a semester. You may want to have as many comforts abroad as you have at home. However, part of the reason you are going abroad is to step out of your comfort zone. Therefore, you should be prepared to make do with fewer things. It is important to remember that not only will the airline have a baggage limit, but you will have a limited amount of space at your residence, so you need to take all these factors into account while packing.

A little bit of research will go a long way to helping you pack. You should research what the weather will be like when you will be studying in Ireland, so you can plan ahead and save yourself the hassle and expense of needing to purchase more appropriate clothing after arrival. You should also research what activities and trip you will be taking part in. Global Ambassadors can also provide you with very good advice about packing strategies.

Below are some recommendations of what to pack where, what to leave behind, and what to buy abroad. This list is not 100% inclusive

Carry-on Luggage

• Passport
• Tickets
• A copy of your acceptance letter
• Credit cards, debit cards and cash
• Any other official documentation
• Prescription medicine
• Glasses/Contact lenses
• Laptop computer
• Cell phone charger
• Reading Material
• Snacks
• Earphones
• A change of clothes and necessary toiletries in case of flight delay/cancellation/lost luggage

Commercial airlines have regulations regarding what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on luggage. Sharp items like razors and nail files, and liquids/aerosols over 100ml are banned in carry-on luggage. Please check the airline website for further details

Checked Luggage

• Consider variations in weather through the duration of your program. Ireland can be quite a wet place therefore make sure to bring a selection of warm, fast drying, and waterproof clothing
• Ireland can also be a warm place. It is recommended to bring clothes that can be layered.
• Bring durable clothing that can be easily cared for / laundered.
• Consider whether you will be doing anything as part of your program that will require certain clothing, field work, other outdoor activities, formal dining etc.
• A general recommendation is to pack enough clothing to last about two weeks without doing laundry. Bring items that can be easily mixed and matched into many different outfits and dressed up or dressed down as needed.
• Pack comfortable, everyday shoes for walking. You will walk much more each day than you normally do.
• It is a good idea to have water-resistant shoes.
• You may want to bring one or two other pairs of shoes for dressier occasions.
• If you plan to play a sport or use a gym, bring sneakers.

Don’t forget to place identification tags with the your contact information, on both the outside and inside of the checked bag

Leave at Home

• Anything you would regret losing; anything that has sentimental value, is expensive/meaningful or that cannot be replaced.
• You should not bring any appliances that generate heat (blow dryer, straightener, curling irons etc). Due to the need for a power converter and plug adaptor, it is best to purchase these items in Ireland, if they are necessary.
• Everyday toiletries. You can buy many inexpensive items, such as soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc when you arrive in Ireland.

Luggage Allowance

Check with your airline for information regarding weight and size restrictions and additional fees.

For flights booked through the Office of Global affairs, the fare includes 1 checked piece of luggage of up to 50lbs. The size of the luggage must not exceed 62 inches (L+W+H).

The fare also includes 1 piece carry on allowance

Maximum weight: 10kg (22lb)
Maximum size:
Height: 55cm (21.5″)
Width: 40cm (15.5″)
Length: 24cm (9.5″)

You can also bring one small personal item, e.g. small handbag, laptop bag with a maximum size:
Height: 25cm (10″)
Width: 33cm (13″)
Length: 20cm (8″)

Electric converter/transformer and adapter

Please note that Ireland has outlets that are shaped differently than U.S. outlets, and also have a different standard electrical current. For Ireland, the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. The electrical current is 220 volts.

A converter/transformer converts the current so that your U.S. devices can run safely and are not damaged. Failure to use a converter/transformer can result in serious damage to a device . Most laptops and some other devices are able to run on both the U.S. current (110 volts) and Irish currents (220 volts).

An adapter allows you to fit the plug from your U.S. devices (Type A & B) into outlets that are not the same shape. It does not convert the current.

Depending on the device, you may need to use just the adapter, or the adapter in combination with the converter/transformer.