DCPS Study Abroad
General Packing Tips and Guidelines
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Pack light! Bring only what you need – ideally in one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Make sure you’re able
to carry your own bags without difficulty.
Pack enough clothing to last you the duration of your trip without doing laundry.
Avoid bringing valuables and sentimental items.
Abide by the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 Liquids Rule, which states that you are
allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through security
checkpoints. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-11 liquids rule.
Review TSA’s Travel Tips at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips
Do not bring dangerous items, weapons, live animals, or controlled substances of any kind (including
tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs). Review TSA’s List of Prohibited Items at
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/prohibited-items
Recommended Packing List
1 Checked Suitcase (Remember to put your name, phone number, and mailing address on a luggage tag and
attach it to your suitcase before you arrive at the airport or when you get there. Your checked suitcase must
be light enough for you to carry, or approximately 50 lbs or fewer in weight.)
Clothing and Accessories
• Comfortable walking shoes
• One pair of nicer shoes
• Shirts (short and long sleeved)
• Socks and underwear
• Watch
• Shorts/pants/jeans
• Pajamas
• Bathing suit (if applicable, depending on destination and itinerary)
• Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
• Raincoat or poncho and/or umbrella
• Lightweight nylon jacket, sweater, hoodie/sweatshirt, or warm-up top
• Pouch for storing passport and any personal spending money under clothing, or small purse/wallet
Toiletries
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush/comb
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent (if applicable, depending on destination)
• Any medications you normally take (in addition to a copy of any prescription)
DCPS Study Abroad
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Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)
Feminine hygiene products (if applicable)
Electronics
• An alarm clock (many hotel rooms won't have one)
• An adaptor/converter (if applicable, depending on destination)
• Disposable camera or other camera, with extra batteries or chargers as needed (Batteries can be
expensive abroad.)
Documents
• Passport—REQUIRED! Remember to bring a couple photocopies of your passport (in case it is lost)
and leave one copy at home
• Visas (if applicable)
• A copy of the tour itinerary
• A list of important phone numbers and addresses to send postcards home
• Copy of any prescriptions (Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its
label, so any and all medication should be carried in its original container.)
1 Carry-on bag
A backpack or tote bag (preferably with a zipper) makes a perfect carry-on bag. It must be small enough to go
in the overhead storage bin or under your seat on the airplane. Remember to put your name, phone number,
and mailing address on a luggage tag and attach it to your carry-on bag before you arrive at the airport or
when you get there. You must keep your carry-on bag with you at ALL TIMES in the airport, so make sure it’s
light (approximately 20 lbs or less).
Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the trip. These items should be packed in
the carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed:
• Passport
• Airline ticket
• Any personal spending money you might choose to bring
• Travel pillow (Recommended but not required! A travel pillow might make sleeping on the plane
easier)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste (Check tsa.gov for current security requirements.)
• Hairbrush/comb
• Contact lens case/glasses (to sleep comfortably on the plane)
• A change of clothes, including fresh socks and underwear (in case luggage is delayed)
• Medication (if applicable)
• Any valuables
DCPS Study Abroad is a fully funded program. If you need financial assistance affording necessary travel items,
you must complete our Need-Base Travel Supplies Application, available via dcpsglobaled.org by May 1, 2016.
E-mail your trip’s Travel Ambassadors, or [email protected], with questions.