By Bradley Rehak- Guest Blogger studying in Ecuador
Packing is the most important part of travel and study abroad. This may sound surprising, but keep in mind that I said "most important", not "most interesting" or "most exciting". How well you pack can have a profound effect upon your entire trip; for example, if I forget my diving license, then I won't be able to dive. A forgotten passport might mean days of intense negotiations with the local consulate or embassy—maybe even expulsion from the country.
Most people don't forget such major things; however, less obvious items can easily be overlooked. I've just finished packing for 8 weeks in Ecuador, and as a somewhat veteran traveler, I am wise enough to know that I have forgotten something important. The key is to always forget those objects, which can be readily and inexpensively acquired wherever you're going to be. For this reason, I always start and end by listing in my head—and then laying out on my bed—what I don't want to have to buy again: shoes, pants, watches, sleeping bags (on some trips), cameras, etc—the need to repurchase such things might mean not being able to afford a weekend trip to a national park. The next step is to consider those objects, which might be difficult to obtain, or even unavailable, such as glasses (prescription sunglasses?), prescriptions (Allegra, antibiotics for traveler's diarrhea) and gym shorts (in some countries people just don't wear them, or exercise). Finally, I consider items that the average traveler doesn't carry, but which I have come to use and appreciate: green tea, a pocket electronic dictionary and a reading light, for example. Having completed all of the above, I am generally certain that I haven't forgotten anything that will damage my trip or my wallet excessively.
To finish all I have to do is: pack. As a soldier, I very much appreciate a tight and organized packing job, so in a very anal retentive manner I roll all of my socks, underwear, towels—and shirts, if I'm running out of room. This saves an incredible amount of space, meaning I can bring Frisbees, video games and other items that probably wouldn't fit otherwise (and that are important to my entertainment, usually). And I always leave plenty of empty space when I'm departing the States, because if there is one rule more true than that I will forget something, it's that I will always return home with twice as much gear as I left with: I'm going to have to cram it all in somehow.
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