The Do's and Don'ts of Packing for a Study Abroad Trip #HogsAbroad in Florence

Hey! My name is Katie Fowler. I am a Walton College Honors Student who is studying Marketing. I participated in the AIFS StudyAbroad Program in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2022 semester.

The anticipation leading up to a study abroad program is almost unbearable. One of the things I did to pass the time was creating an extensive packing list. I wanted to be prepared for whatever weather or event I may face during my program. In the weeks leading up to my departure I researched the average weather in Italy so I could accurately pack the clothing that I would need. I also took that time to expand my wardrobe so that I could better “fit in” with the fashion trends in Florence and not immediately be pegged as a tourist. Over the weeks I slowly took inventory of the items I wanted to bring with me. I tried to keep my packing list as minimal as possible so I would have extra space in my bags for souvenirs. Now that I am back home after the most incredible three months of my life, I can definitively say what was helpful and what was hurtful while packing.

My first piece of advice is to keep things simple. I was only brought one checked bag, one carry on, and one personal item with me to Italy. I wanted to make things easier on myself because I knew I would have to carry all my luggage up four flights of stairs. It was also helpful only having a small amount of luggage while getting around the airport. My main goal was bringing the things I needed while still being self-sufficient.

The key to packing is making your clothes as small as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to roll your clothes. You can find many tutorials online on how to do this, but simply it is slightly folding your clothes and then rolling them up as tight as you can. Then you can place all these items in your suitcase, and it takes up much less space than by folding your clothes. I was able to fit almost all my clothes in one half of my checked bag by using this packing method. In the other half of my checked bag, I put a few pairs of jeans, my shoes, toiletries, and miscellaneous items. I even had room to spare in my bag after I finished packing, and this was without the expandable portion in use.

Another thing I did to cut down on how much I packed was only bringing clothes I knew I would wear. I didn’t want to take up valuable space in my bags on clothing I would never wear. I also only brought four pairs of shoes with me to Italy. I packed two pairs of sandals for warmer climates, one pair of sneakers, and one pair of boots. Shoes take up the most space in your bag, so try to consolidate them and bring only what you need. The shoes I brought were versatile and comfortable, so I was able to wear them with many different outfits and circumstances. It’s also no surprise that you are going to want to purchase clothes while abroad. Take this into consideration when you are packing. Leave plenty of space if you know you are going to want to expand your wardrobe. Another piece of advice is to pack staple items that you can layer and re-wear to form different outfits. One item of clothing can become so many different outfits which saves space when packing. Something to keep in mind when packing is that many things will not need to be packed for your return trip. For instance, I used up the majority of my toiletries while I was abroad. I had a large box of menstrual products and a large box of face masks that I used which gave me more space to pack souvenirs.

By far the best decision I could have made was bringing a backpack. Both my carry on and my personal items were backpacks of different sizes. I was able to use my personal item as my school backpack while in Italy and my carry on was beneficial for travelling. Many airlines in Europe, such as Ryan Air, only allow you to bring one personal item on the plane. If you would like to bring a carry on you have to purchase it for an extra cost. For travelers wanting to save money its best to stick with the personal item. I was able to use my carry-on backpack as a personal item on every flight I went on. I used the rolling packing method to fit everything I would need for the trip in my bag and was able to shove my bag under my seat. This was incredibly helpful because not only did I save money, but it was so much easier getting around the places I was travelling with only a backpack. Walking is the main form of transportation in Europe, at least it was for me. It would have been miserable lugging a suitcase around on the bumpy cobblestone streets. With a backpack you have your hands free and can walk with little hassle.

Lastly, I just want to mention a few things I packed that came in handy on more than one occasion. The most important thing was a first aid kit. I bought a premade kit from Welly right before I left the states. It included bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, cortisone cream, and hand sanitizer. This was so useful for blisters, cuts, scrapes, and minor injuries for myself and many of my classmates while I was abroad. I also packed plenty of ibuprofen and allergy medicine which proved to be helpful. Another thing I would advise bringing is a rain jacket and an umbrella. You obviously don’t want to be caught out in the rain and get soaked in the process. Finally, my favorites items I brought were my cameras. I brought three different types just so I could get a variety of photos while I was abroad. Make sure you are capturing so much of your experience. This way you can look back and remember the exact moments, friends, meals, trips, and fun that you had. The easiest way to capture this is with your phone. I have so many photos and videos from my time abroad that I will cherish forever. I also took more professional type photos with my DSLR camera. I mainly used this when I was travelling or visiting a place for the first time. I just wanted to make sure I had good quality photos I could share and look at for years to come. The other cameras I brought were more for my own enjoyment. The first was a Fujifilm instant camera. These are fun because you’re able to have the photos immediately. The second was a disposable camera. The fun thing about these is that you have no idea what the photos are going to look like until you get them developed. I have yet to get mine back, so the anticipation is still killing me. My point is that you want to capture as much as you can of your time during your study abroad program. Don’t be ashamed to lug around three different types of cameras (plus your phone). I can assure you; you won’t be the only one. Plus, this is not only fun for you, but for the friends you will make along the way.

I hope these tips have helped and I encourage everyone to study abroad. It will truly be the best time of your life!

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Marketing major Katie Fowler spent the Spring 2022 term in Florence with AIFS with support from the Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and Walton College.

You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

The Tube and Straight Line Crazy #HogsAbroad in England

For my journey to the London Tube Stations, I found it rather simple once I began to navigate it. At first, as most things, the challenge seemed vary daunting. To my surprise, navigating the tubes and stops was really as easy as simply reading a map. The tube was very similar to the New York City Subway Station but also very different. While there was a tremendous amount of people for both stations, the London Tube was much easier to use. On the Tube itself there are many clear maps that say the stops and all of the said maps are quite legible. Comparatively, the New York Subway maps are barely even there. Another huge plus of traveling in London is the fact that most people who use the Tube are very kind.

The most frustrating part of my entire experience was when I accidently got stuck trying to exit. I learned that the Oyster cards used to enter and exit the Tubes does not swipe twice in a row. There is a stop that is right by our hotel which makes travel within the city quick and easy to use. The downloadable apps for smartphones are a huge help as well in navigating the big city.

The play Straight Line Crazy was pleasantly likeable given the heavy content material. The main character truly had no redeeming qualities and was heavily distasteful through the entirety. The only real ok this is an actual person moment was near the very end. Robert Moses tells the audience and his co workers that his wife Mary is in a psychiatric ward. While the audience understandable feels sorrow for the characters, Robert feels almost nothing, or it at least seems that way. I took this as Robert putting everything into his main assistant as she is the one that he spent most of his days and nights with. Mr. Moses to not have to deal with the essential loss of his wife until Finnuala quits and leaves.

The play goes through how Moses not only destroyed his life, his workers lives, but the lives of hundreds of thousands of others. Upon Finnuala’s exit, she tells Moses how she lost her baby and husband while working for him. While she does not directly blame Robert, it is heavily implied. The play also gives racist undertones throughout, and it is confirmed when Finnuala says Moses only designs for upper middle class to the wealthy white.

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Theatre major Abby Hogan spent the Summer 2022 term on the Theatre in London program with support from the Office of Study Abroad Scholarship. Read more from Abby here. 

You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Snapshots from Sevilla #HogsAbroad in Spain

Hello! My name is Reagan White and I'm currently a student at the University of Arkansas studying supply chain management and international economics with a Spanish minor! While I'm originally from Fayetteville, AR and have been a Razorback for all of my life, I will be living and taking classes in Sevilla, Spain during Spring 2022.

Ever since my freshman year, I have been interested in studying abroad, because of my interest in international business, passion for learning new languages, and love for experiencing other cultures. I'm beyond excited and grateful that my dream is becoming a reality this spring semester. My Spanish minor and desire to experience Europe made choosing a country quite easy, since my main reason for studying abroad was to immerse myself within the Spanish language and culture. However, selecting a host city proved to be quite difficult, since Spain is full of beautiful towns, each with their own distinct characteristics and cultures. During my research process, I considered Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Granada, Salamanca, and of course, the charming Sevilla.

While I plan on visiting several of the other cities mentioned above, once I learned about Sevilla, I immediately knew it was the city for me. Geographically located within the Andalucía region in southern Spain, the city boasts numerous historical landmarks, museums, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, the Real Alcázar, the Plaza de España, the origin of flamenco, and countless other hidden treasures. During my time in Sevilla, I will be completing the ISA International Studies, Business & Spanish Language Veritas Program. My courses will include the Veritas International Missions/Service-Learning Practicum, International Finance, International Trade in the Global Economy, and Spanish Culture and Civilization.

I'm excited to share my journey with you all through this blog as I have always loved writing. It is my sincere hope that my shared experiences inspire you to travel and seek new experiences that may be outside of your comfort zone. My next post will be coming from Sevilla, Spain, but until then, ¡Chao y espero que tengas una buena semana!

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International Economics and Supply Chain Management major Reagan white spent the Spring 2022 term in Sevilla, Spain with ISA with support from the Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and Walton College. Read more from Reagan here. 

You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Teaching in Limerick: Take the Ride! #HogsAbroad in Ireland

Hi! My name is Francesca Eller and I am currently in the Education and Health Professions Program earning a bachelor's degree in Special Education. 

This past month I was given the opportunity to study abroad in Limerick, Ireland doing a one-month student teaching internship. Through the internship I was given the opportunity to see how other countries operate their education system while getting exposed to different cultures and building relationships with people from different walks of life! I learned so much while on the trip and got to experience so many parts of Europe as I traveled all around Ireland, and even went to Amsterdam, Netherlands! Bonus points for cheap airfare when traveling out of the US! 

I have always been told that one of the biggest regrets post-graduate students have been not taking the chance to study abroad during their time in undergrad, and I am so glad that I listened, and decided to apply, and make it happen! The memories, and experiences I shared with other students in my program, are some of the priceless moments that I know I'll share about my college experience for years to come! 

My biggest advice that I have for someone who is planning to study abroad is to travel as much as you can, and to plan moments ahead of time before you leave! Life moves quickly when you are abroad, and it makes your travel so much easier when you already have plans in place. Also, write a journal while you are gone and take notes of everything you see! This will be a great gift to bring back with you, so you never forget the big, and small moments that brought you joy! Buy the ticket, take the ride!

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Special Education major Francesca Eller completed a student teaching placement in Limerick, Ireland in Spring 2022 with support from the Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/