Packing

General Tips

How do you pack for weeks, months, or a whole year abroad?

• When packing for your time abroad, it’s important to be strategic about what you bring.  Shipping can be very expensive, airlines have weight limits and traveling light makes everything a lot easier!  
• Before packing, become familiar with the baggage allowance and fees of your airline.
• Before placing items in your luggage, take the time to lay them out, check how the different items complement each other, and plan accordingly.
• Make a list of essentials and necessities before you start packing. This will help you focus on what you truly need, rather than packing unnecessary items. 
• Do research on the climate and culture of your destination, as this will affect what type of clothing and accessories you should bring.
• You can use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space in your suitcase. These tools help to organize your items and compress them to take up less space. Additionally, rolling your clothes instead of folding them can also save space and prevent wrinkles.
• When packing electronics and valuables, it’s important to consider the possibility of loss or damage during travel. It is recommended to bring a surge protector for your devices and to purchase travel insurance for added protection.
• Keep in mind that you can always purchase items that you may have forgotten or that you can't find at your destination, so don't feel the need to pack everything.
• Make sure that you can comfortably carry your baggage up a flight of stairs and around one block!

Carry-on 

It is important to pack a carry-on bag with essential items for your study abroad trip. This should include:

• Passport and visa (if required)
• Pre Arrival Instructions
• Insurance information 
• Medications with prescriptions & personal health kit 
• A change of clothes in case your checked luggage is delayed.
• Basic toiletries- toothbrush and toothpaste, face wash and lotion
• Laptop, phone, iPad, tablet, along with their chargers
• We do not suggest bringing any valuable jewelry or items, but if you must, it is safer to put them in your carry-on rather than put them in your checked luggage
• Keep in mind the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry on: 3.4 ounce (100ml) containers in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 per passenger placed in screening bin.

Emergency Contacts and Passwords 

• In your checked luggage, carry-on luggage AND wallet put a list of emergency contact names, phone numbers and email addresses. Make sure they are written down, not just on a laptop, cellphone, tablet or other electronic device. Although it is good to have an emergency contact on your cellphone, consider how you would access this information if your battery dies.
• Include with the above a copy of your travel insurance contact phone numbers, policy and assistance details. Keep copies with your passport, hand luggage, and checked luggage and with family back home.
• Before traveling abroad be sure to have a list of your laptop, tablet, cellphone, or any other “technology” passwords in case of a serious life emergency. Additionally, be sure to provide the same for Facebook, X (Twitter), email, credit cards, etc., so that these can be accessed by family should some life emergency occur. Keep such listings secure, but also remember the need for 24-7 access. You can and should change these after you return home safely.

Toiletries

It's important to consider that you can easily find replacements for most toiletries at your destination, so it's not necessary to bring large quantities with you. Pack enough for a few days and then purchase more once you arrive. This will save on space and weight in your luggage. If your trip is only for a few weeks, it's likely that travel-size items will suffice.

Electrical Appliances

It may be more beneficial to purchase new appliances when you arrive at your destination if the voltage and electricity standards differ from your home country. Check Voltage Valet for a guide on the electrical requirements in the country(s) you will be visiting.

Medication & Supplements

Our first advice is to talk to your doctor and insurance provider about your travel dates and request a travel supply of medications. See more about this in the Health Check section of this guide.

When packing, make sure you keep the doctor's prescription with you in a safe place. You'll need to bring it with you when you travel to Thailand. Also, if you'll be bringing medication abroad, it's advisable to get a written letter/note from your doctor listing your prescription(s) and your condition(s) under treatment to carry with you. This is in case questions arise about your medications when you pass through customs.
Please note that some prescription medications that are legal in the United States, such as Adderall and Vyvanse (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine/lisdexamfetamine) are not available in Thailand. Adderall is considered a Category 1 Narcotic in Thailand and is strictly prohibited while Vyvanse is able to be carried in but not obtained on-site. Others like Concerta (methylphenidate) are considered a psychotropic and are allowed into Thailand without a permit, but only in a 30 day supply and then must be prescribed by a local doctor once you are onsite. Please check your medication to be sure if it is allowed into Thailand: Check the Drug.
More information about this can be found at this website: Bringing Medication into Thailand

If you are currently prescribed Adderall or Vyvanse we recommend highly that you check in with your doctor to inquire about the availability of alternative medications that are not prohibited in Thailand. Please consult a medical professional before changing dosage or frequency of any prescription medications.

You should bring enough medications to last you the entire time you are abroad whenever possible because it can take time to schedule appointments with doctors to prescribe medications on-site. Carry all medications on the plane, with the original packaging that has the actual prescription information on it with your name clearly marked. 

Tip: You may need or want to take medication while in flight! Pack medication somewhere you can easily access like a personal item you'll place under the seat in front of you. Also, if your body is used to taking medication on a set schedule, set a timer on your phone or smart watch for the number of hours until your next dosage. This will still go off at the right time while you're in flight, whereas due to time zone changes, jetlag, and airplane mod, your normal alarms might not be quite accurate in-flight. 

Clothes and Thai Dress Culture

Pack versatile clothing items that can be dressed up/down and mixed/matched easily. Weather in Thailand tends to be hot and humid, but we suggest bringing items that can be layered, so you can adjust to different temperatures and weather conditions. Loose-fitting clothing tends to be more comfortable in humidity, but keep in mind that Thai people tend to dress more modestly than those in the US. This means that you won't see local people in tank tops, crop tops, low cut plunge necklines, or shorts above the mid-thigh. Additionally, to enter some temples and national monuments visitors will be asked to wear clothing covering their shoulders to knees or be denied entry.

Don't forget to pack a small laundry bag for dirty clothes. This way you can easily keep your clean clothes separate from your dirty clothes, and you can wash them as you go.

It is common for Thai people to take shoes off when entering homes, shrines, temples, some shops, or other establishments. For this reason, we recommend easy to slip on/off shoes that are comfortable to walk long distances in if necessary.

Uniforms - MUIC Only

For anyone attending programs at Mahidol University International College, you will be asked to wear clothes adhering to the uniform policy. For the time being as you consider packing, we only recommend bringing the following with you (ALL are optional and can be purchased onsite):

• 1-2 Short-sleeved, white, button up collared shirts
• 1-2 pairs of black or dark navy slacks or knee-length skirs
• 1 pair of comfortable, black, close-toed shoes
• For casual days: a pair of black sneakers, black slip on shoes (such as Toms), etc.

Most importantly, don't over pack. Trust us - you won't need as much as you think you do.

Sample Packing List for Thailand 

When it comes to packing for your study abroad trip, it's important to keep in mind that apartments in the city tend to be smaller than you're accustomed to in the US, so you won't have a lot of extra space for storing items. However, you will have access to laundry facilities, so you only need to pack enough clothing for two weeks, regardless of how long you'll be staying.

Remember, you can find just about anything you need in your host country, so there's no need to overpack. You'll likely have the opportunity to do some shopping while you're here.

Make sure you bring:

Essentials:

• Passport (and photocopies)
• Visa (if required)
• Acceptance letter
• International health insurance card
• Emergency contact numbers
• Wallet
• Debit cards/credit cards/cash
• Medications & Vitamins
• Reusable water bottle
• Ear plugs

Clothes:

• Underwear
• Socks
• Bras (regular and sport)
• Swimsuit
• Pajamas
• T-shirts
• Jeans
• Sweater or cardigan
• Dresses
• Shorts
• Formal outfit for going out, etc
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Flip flops for shower
• Hat
• Sportswear
• Rain gear

Toiletries:

• Travel-sized shampoo/conditioner/body wash (can buy full size abroad)
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Hair brush
• Hair ties
• Eye glasses
• Sunscreen
• Makeup

Electronics:

• Cell phone and charger
• Laptop and charger
• Adapter/converter
• Power bank
• Headphones
• Camera

Other:

• Small bag/purse
• Backpack
• Pens/pencils
• Notebook/paper
• Journal
• Sunglasses