Packing For a Year On Exchange + Free Printable Packing List

So I leave for Germany TODAY! How did the past 6 months fly by so quickly. Currently spending my day driving to Sydney for my flights and thinking about how nice the weather is outside (perks of living on Australia's South Coast) I could have stared  at my packed suitcases, and tried to think of things I could take out to make everything easier for my travels, for hours. My problem is the fact that it isn't exactly the easiest task; fitting your life in 2 suitcases so for ANY of those heading off on exchange in a couple weeks or DAYS! this post is for you;)


Packing and Flights

My flight plan is Sydney - Abu Dhabi (4 hour layover) - Brussels, Belgium (3 hour layover) - Hannover, Germany so all up I am allowed to take 2 bags at 23kg and one carry on at 7kg but I thought that that was a bit over kill and ended up with one 21kg [large] suitcase and an average sized small carry on suitcase at 10kg. By doing this on my way back I can buy a cheap suitcase there and bring more stuff back with me as I have heard that is the case with most exchange students and I don't want to get caught out at the airport for baggage fees. The 3 tips to live by when packing for a long term stay are:

01  PACK AND REPACK .... REPEAT
02  SEPARATE NEEDS AND WANTS or STAPLES AND ACCESSORIES
03  IF YOU DON'T WEAR IT AT HOME YOU WON'T WEAR IT THERE

With those in mind as well as my 'look' into European fashion and my German fashion post here.  I conjured up a pretty basic packing list (which is at the bottom of this post). I have included some of what I think will be my most worn pieces, which I will get back to you on, as well as just what I am excited to wear to school there and what I have brought recently for my host family. I also put in some websites at the bottom where I brought an Australian flag from as well as Badges or Pins for other Rotary exchange students.

Kathmandu was a go to for me when it came to buying for warmth. The down jacket is fantastic but I do wish I got a thicker one for Germany. All of these things above I brought a long with a white coloured molino thermal t-shirt.

These things are a compilation of Urban Outfitters (both cardigans, and they are so warm!), Cotton on (Shoes which I actually got in Black with wool not leather and the Jeans) and General Pants Co. (White T-Shirt) which I can hardly stop wearing already.

Find My Free Printable Packing List Here (can be customized)

For Rotary youth exchange blazers and Host family ideas...

Australian Animal Lapel Pins

Australian Flag (large)

Tourist Attraction Badges (for an idea)