ROME – September is the filming month par excellence and for many Italian students it is also the long-awaited moment of departure for a year abroad or Erasmus. Here you will find everything you need to know to optimally prepare your suitcase without having to forego anything before you take the most important step out of your comfort zone.
Experiences abroad are increasing: all the data on a growing phenomenon – The popularity of international programs is constantly increasing among Generation Z. In fact, every year almost 10,000 Italian students choose to spend a period of high school abroad, mainly in the USA, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The growing curiosity is also affecting university projects, which, according to the national agency Erasmus+ Indire, recorded a sharp increase in mobility activities in 2022, with almost 13,000 student participation (+36% compared to the previous year). The most popular countries for study exchanges with an average length of stay of 6 months are Spain, France, Germany and Portugal.
“Friendly” suitcase: tricks to get the most out of it – As soon as the goal is selected, the crucial phase of preparation begins for the students. It may not be easy to organize your suitcase (or rather suitcases) for an experience of this nature. Space is limited and what you need to experience this adventure is a lot. No fear! Stefano Maglietta, Travel Insights Expert at Skyscannergives some valuable tips for intelligent planning:
Follow a list – It can be difficult to navigate the multitude of clothing items, important accessories and necessary documents. That’s why it’s always best to have a complete list to ensure you don’t leave out anything important. Additionally, this step is useful for skimming off additional elements at the beginning to reduce weight if possible.
Roll up clothes and vacuum pack them – To save space and ensure that the clothes do not wrinkle, the solution could be to roll them instead of folding them and then put them into vacuum compression bags. A life-saving trick that can be reused on any occasion!
Use organizers and fill in the empty spaces – Another good solution for packing your bags properly is to use special organizers. These are cubes that help separate items and allow you to find everything faster on site while using every inch of space in your suitcase.
Leave books at home – Especially on an international trip, it is important to save space and limit weight: downloading the e-book version of your favorite book a few hours before the flight allows you to make the most of your time, avoid paper formats and not rely on WiFi.
– Weigh your luggage to avoid additional costs The baggage allowance varies from company to company. Knowing the weight limits and weighing your luggage both on the way there and back to avoid exceeding the weight limits can help you avoid problems at the airport. If your luggage is approaching the limit, you may want to take some of the heavier items with you first or reduce the amount of luggage. To ensure you have not exceeded the weight limits, it may be a good idea to use a small digital luggage scale before heading to the airport.
Buy a light suitcase – A rigid suitcase can have an initial weight of up to four kilos, added to the weight of the filled suitcase, which is why a lightweight suitcase can certainly make the difference and become an indispensable ally for all occasions.
Make your suitcase recognizable – Especially during stopovers, the mistake of swapping your checked suitcase for a similar or identical one should not be underestimated. Making your suitcase unique using labels, ribbons, stickers or colored elements will allow you to easily distinguish it from those on the conveyor belt and add a touch of personalization to your trips. GPS tracking devices or Bluetooth trackers represent a technical alternative. AirTag, Tile and many others: They work like simple key fobs, but allow you to easily find your suitcase (and other personal items) directly from your smartphone. A tip before buying: check whether they are compatible with your mobile phone and check with the airline whether they can be taken in checked baggage.
Maximize the use of carry-on luggage – Finally, it is important to ensure that all valuables and a change of clothes are in your carry-on luggage in case your checked baggage is lost or delayed. Travel fully, travel safely!
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