How to pack for ten months overseas?

Courthey Kobos teaches English at a high school in Cesky Tesin. In this post, Courtey shares her strategy on how to pack for your year-long Fulbright adventure overseas. 

Hello! Or in Czech, Dobrý den! I am happy to share that I have arrived safely in my new home for the next 10 months, Český Těšín, Czech Republic. I am currently writing at a little table in my apartment overlooking the garden and several colorful houses in the neighborhood after spending the afternoon exploring the Polish side of town.

Since Český Těšín is located quite far from Prague (about a 4 hour train ride), I decided that it would be best to pack in one large suitcase and carry-ons. After learning the hard way at London Heathrow during my semester in England that lugging two big suitcases is exhausting, I knew that it would be better to pack light and buy things in the Czech Republic if needed. 

My biggest piece of packing advice is to lay out everything that you want to pack in one central area. I set up a folding table and in the two weeks prior to my departure, I began to lay out items. Using this method helped me both to determine what I still needed to pack or purchase and where I could cut back.

When packing for the trip, I chose to pack lighter in categories of items that I knew would be relatively inexpensive and easy to purchase once I arrived (toiletries, shirts, decor, etc). I was more strategic with things that are either expensive or fit in a specific manner (think jeans, electronics, coats!) 

The packing master (my mom!) helping me roll clothes

Luggage

For luggage I brought one large suitcase, which ended up weighing in at 49 pounds, one large backpack to put in the overhead compartment on the flight, and a black tote bag for my personal item that I plan to use as my work bag here in the Czech Republic. 

I packed the heaviest items like shoes and sweaters in my backpack so that my suitcase would not go over the weight limit! 

Carry-on items

From left to right: Laptop, important documents, small lock, water bottle, camera, portable charger, computer charger, kindle, airpods, regular headphones, snack pouch, various chargers, journal and pens, tic tacs, chapstick, money belt, passport + cover 

Small purse and wallet 

Tops

4 graphic t-shirts for working out, sleeping, traveling

3 workout shirts – one short sleeve, two tank tops

2 plain short-sleeve tops

Three long-sleeve layering tops (navy, dark green, black)

6 blouses (1 did not make the photo) 

2 cardigans

4 dresses that all can be paired with tights in the colder months 

Pants and shorts 

Black jeans, blue jeans, black work pants, navy work pants

3 pairs of workout leggings 

Sweatpants, pajama set, tights, spandex shorts

Two pairs of shorts

Shoes

Flip flops, sandals, black booties, workout shoes, sneakers, work shoes

Winter gear 

6 sweaters of various weights 

3 scarves

3 pairs of gloves, 1 hat, 1 umbrella

4 jackets: Medium weight coat, rain jacket, winter/cold rain jacket, light jacket

Random 

1 swimsuit 

Small daypack and travel towel 

Pillow case (not the pillow), sleep mask, pillow pet

Mesh laundry bag

Small jewelry pouches with versatile jewelry 

Thank you for reading and for supporting my new Fulbright adventure! If you’d like to continue to hear about my Fulbright adventures, please follow me on WordPress or like my Facebook page, @CourtneyTasteTravelTeach where I’ll be posting photos and sharing my blog posts! Soon, I’ll be posting more about my first impressions of my town and about Fulbright training in Brno, Czech Republic. 

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This post is not an official Department of State publication. The views and information presented are my own and do not represent the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Department of State, the Fulbright Commission, or the host country.