Packing for Deutschland

Can you believe it? Exactly 2 weeks from today I will be landing in Germany! LIKE IS THIS REAL LIFE OR JUST A FANTASEA? 

I started my packing weeks ago and have been slowly filling up my suitcase/carry-ons as time goes by. I honestly don't think anyone can plan to pack for an entire year within a day let alone a week. So if you're waiting until the VERY last minute to pack... RECONSIDER.

You wouldn't BELIEVE how many times I've had to go back and take some stuff out and repack with the idea of "Needs vs. Wants" such as Do I really need 6 sweaters, 5 pairs of shoes, 4 hoodies and a partridge in a pair tree? Hell NO. I don't. 

 If you ever decide to take an extended trip to another country (and are flying Lufthansa) there's a ONE FREE checked bag max. So try your best to deal with it and prioritize. Because more than likely you'll end up buying more stuff over there as the year progresses but then what will you do at the end of your trip when it's time to come home and you've accumulated more crap than your average hoarder?

That's right. You're looking SICK once you realize you have to pay $200+ in additional baggage fees (or you could always send it home from Germany via DHL :D). This experience has already taught me how to prioritize and planning plays a big part in everything you do and we haven't even left the country yet!

Below is my comprehensive list of items I have packed and will be taking abroad. This is pretty much my final list as far as packing goes. I may or may not add/remove something prior to leaving for orientation in D.C. 

Travel Checklist 

• 2 pair of Wool Socks 
• 1 pair of insulated thermal gloves (yayy warm hands!)
• 7 pairs of socks 

• 1 pair of Dress shoes
• 3 pairs of dress socks 

• Enough underwear to the point people are like "Kwasi, can I borrow a pair?" 
• 1 thick WARM wool Peacoat (minus the peas)
• Insulated & Waterproof winter boots 

• Running shoes (to be used in the event I actually get off my but and exercise. Or encounter a bear and need to run swiftly, whichever comes first) 
• Nike's for everyday wear/activities 
• 1 pair of TOMS for everyday wear until late Autumn 
• 1 bar deodorant 
• Body Wash/Bar Soap 
• Clippers/Trimmers (for cutting hair) 
• Disposable razors  
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush 
• Floss (travel size) 
• 2 Eco-friendly bags (for shopping at Markets and other stuff) 
• Cough medicine (DayQuil/NightQuil, Halls Defense, etc) for those sick days 
• Cologne (the fragrance, not the city located in West Germany with the same name ) 
• a GIANT jar of Peanut butter 
• Cinnamon & a couple other spices for cooking 
• Travel size Hand sanitizer (eww germs) 
• Travel wipes (again, eww germs) 
• 2 pairs of Sweat Pants 
• AE Rucksack (used for traveling to smaller areas, diff countries, etc.)
• 5 pairs of jeans 
• 1 small jar of all  organic shea butter

• 1 Unlocked iPhone (for international calling/usage)
• Macbook & Windows tablet/notebook (I can't live without either) 
• 2 belts (1 for dressy occasions, the other for laid back functions) 
• 1 sweatshirt
• 2 pairs of dress Pants/Hosen 
• Thermal Longjohns

• 1 Fashionable suit jacket/sports coat 

• 1 sweater (that can be worn in both Autumn and Spring)

• 3 tank tops 

• fav Pac Man shirt 
• A&M Bulldog shirt 

• blue checkered shirt 
• london shirt 
• plaid shirt 
• maroon collared shirt 
• ピンク·フロイド (Pink Floyd in Japanese T-shirt) 

• Pajamas 
• 2 ties (pre-tied) 
• Euro plug outlet converter/adapter 
• Inflatable travel pillow 
• 2 pairs of shorts 
• 1 pack of AA & AAA batteries
• LED flashlight

• 1 flexible bicycle lock (to use for bikes as well as locking up my stuff while in Hostels. Homie don't play that) 
• 2800mAh travel charger for mobile devices
• 4GB flashdrive
• Phone charger cord(s)

• Documents 

• Student ID 
• Drivers License 
• International Driver's License 
• Passport (also a scanned copy of passport saved to DropBox, Google Drive, & SkyDrive) 
• Insurance 
• Letters of recommendation (in pdf form) 

• transcripts 
• Finished Lebenslauf (Resume) 
• 6 additional passport photos for administration stuff (still gotta get those :( )
• A hard copy of "English Grammar for Students of German"
• A digital copy of "Deutsch Heute"
• copy of high school diploma
• Portfolio to organize all these documents in

• Money  

• Debit card (charles schwab bank)
• International toll-free number for if (or when) I lose debit card and need to get it replaced.
• at least 100 euros in cash before departure to Deutschland

I know this list is prettttyyyy long but believe it or not all of my stuff fits perfectly and still meets up with the luggage restrictions (although truth be told I may be using the peacoat as a pillow and the boots may be worn at check-in lol).

Auf Wiedersehen! 

How NOT to Embarrass Yourself in Germany

It's dawned on me that I have exactly 3 weeks left until my imminent departure to Deutschland. Nervous? Definitely. Anxious? No doubt! Ready? As ready as I can be possibly be at this point. I've studied countless lessons and phrases, read up on current events going on throughout the world, reviewed how I would manage my bills here in the U.S., made emergency precautions in case things don't go as planned these first few months, and even began filling my suitcases to the brim everything from the necessities to a few things I will miss the most (i.e. Jif Peanut butter!) 

Below is a list of key things to remember while in Germany, most of which will be essential for not making a complete fool of myself and help get adjusted to their customs. (Source: Reddit)

Auf Wiedersehen!