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Packing for More Three Months Abroad

Challis Hackley
Aug 29, 2017
2 min read

I will be in China a total of 113 days, including travel days. That's a long time to pack for but I have access to a lot of the stuff I need there But there a specific things that I've heard that you want to bring from America either because they don't have it over there or the product versions that they have over there won't work.

What I need to bring

toothpaste

deodorant

shampoo

feminine hygiene

home food

Now, when I say home food, I mean things like: nutella, cheese-its, fruit snacks, mac'n'cheese, instant soups or potatoes, savory breads, oatmeal, any sort of chocolate or candy, granola bars, peanut butter, and popcorn. You won't be able to find any of that very easily in China. For extended stays like mine, seriously, bring as much as you can. I appreciate the idea of trying all the local cuisine while you are there and getting used to it but trust me when I say that there will be plenty of time for that without adding to your homesickness unnecessarily.

Just about everything else you can find over here in China for a reasonable price, and understand that you can find American brand name products in China but they will cost more.

Now, I'll have access to a washer and dryer in China but, like just about everything else, it's not the same as America. I've heard it's really hard on your clothes so you don't want to bring anything delicate or that you would hate to get ruined. The area that I will be at in China is very humid, so I'll be sweating in the summer and, by time I leave, it will be very cold.

Here's how it breaks down...

I have a backpack and carry on suitcase that will stay with me and then I'll check a large suitcase and a box of supplies for my kids. Now, I am a little paranoid about my bags getting lost, for no particular reason, so I always make it a rule to have everything that I need in my carry-ons That means packing about a weeks worth of clothes, toiletries, and miscellaneous.

So, in the carry-on suitcase:

4 tops

3 bottoms

1 dress

1 extra pair of shoes

... as well as the outfit I'll wear to travel.

I added my small toiletries bag, the one that I'm bringing for my vacations when I'm in China.

In it is travel-sized...

shampoo

conditioner

loufah

medicine

toothpaste

toothbrush

floss

hair supplies

Everything else important, like my electronics and documents, I put in my backpack.

*Note: I didn't end up taking my straightening iron (pictured here, bottom left). You can find out why here.

The rest of my clothes and larger toiletries went in my large suitcase.

And I'm ready to go.

So, I feel pretty dang prepared for everything and if there is something that I forgot I'll be able to get it there. All in all. I am glad packing is done and I am excited to get to China.