Have you ever stared at your empty backpack, with the contents of your bedroom strewn around you like a crazy person had just rocked up, pushed your door down and rifled through the contents of your wardrobe?
Yep… me too.
That’s why I asked our lovely Facebook community to tell us which items they absolutely couldn’t live without when teaching abroad.
Then I whittled these down, put their suggestions together with some of my own, and voilà! I give you — in no particular order — my Top Packing List Essentials (you know it’s gonna be good with all those capital letters).
Before I gets started, what to take really depends on your destination. For example going to teach in the Middle East, you will need to tailor this to your destination and the weather, which will be completely different to teaching in Europe for example.
But most things are relevant to all TEFL destinations. So get ready to say goodbye to packing stress, and say hello to a featherweight backpack, full of stuff you actually need.
Check out our ultimate packing checklist for teaching abroad.
Wet Wipes
They may seem a bit “middle-aged woman with a handbag”, but trust me — when you’re travelling, wet wipes are a gift from the travel Gods. Use them to clean up scrapes and scratches, mop dust of your flip flops, wipe the sweat off your face (nice), freshen-up if you can’t have a shower (double nice)… the list goes on! As Facebooker Ellie says, they are “the duct tape of toiletries”. Speaking of duct tape…
Duct Tape
Use it to patch up any tears in your backpack! Secure your mosquito net with it! Tape that annoying person in your dorm room’s mouth shut with it! OK, don’t do the last one, but the point I’m trying to make is: duct tape is really very useful. Take some with you. Thank you.
Money
Unfortunately, you can’t go travelling without having a bit of money. But instead of carrying loads of cash around with you, stick it on a travel card. It works like a credit or debit card, but you preload your money on there, and there’ll be no getting into debt because you can only spend what you have. Genius! It can also be topped up by anyone (hi mum), anywhere, and you can also use it withdraw cash, so you don’t need to exchange currency.
Condoms
Young, free, single and — how shall I put this? — sexually active? We promote safe sex; so pack some quality condoms. You don’t want to be bringing any unwanted presents home with you, if you get my drift.
Passport
You won’t get very far without your passport, but before you pack it, remember to check that it isn’t about to expire! Lots of countries — including backpacker havens Australia, Thailand and Malaysia — won’t let you in if your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival date. It’s also worth packing a photocopy of your passport, and other important docs. Or if you’re feeling a bit 21st century, take Facebooker Meagan’s advice and “Email a copy of these to yourself so you always have them”. Great idea, Meagan!
Discount Cards
Are you either a student, under 26 or a teacher? Lucky you! You’re eligible for a discount card that you can use all around the world on up to 40,000 discounts; including things like eating out, guidebooks, and getting around. It’s also worth grabbing a YHA card to save you money at all Youth Hostel Association hostels around the world.
Drugs
No, not those kind of drugs – I’m talking about the medicinal kind! First up, we have paracetamol. Worth taking a stash with you, since your familiar brand is not always available abroad. Secondly, we have Tiger Balm. If you haven’t discovered this versatile ointment yet, now’s the time. As our Facebook fan Lauren says, it’s “amazing for headaches and insect bites”, and you can also slap some (gently) on your aching muscles. It’s widely available in Asia, so you can even pick some up on your travels. Thirdly, pack some diarrhoea medication. It’s likely that you will eat something… that, err… gotta go!
Baby powder
Our Facebook fan Maddie sums this one up: “Baby powder… can be used from stopping your bag from rubbing, to soothing your skin, to keeping your hair clean, to stopping your shoes from rubbing… the list is endless!” I don’t think I need to add anything to that, thanks Maddie!
Sleeping bag liner
If you’re travelling on a budget, a sleeping bag liner is a must. It’s essentially a cosy thin sleeping bag, and it’ll protect you from any bed bugs that might be lurking in the slightly more questionable places you stay. Pop one in your backpack, and get a good night’s sleep instead of worrying about the state of the sheets. Pick up a nice silk one, and feel 5-star wherever you bed down.
SIM card
OK, so the internet is wonderful, we all worship at the altar of Skype, but sometimes when you’re travelling…whisper computers aren’t always around! Get a global SIM card for free and save big bucks on international calls and texts. A global SIM is also a lifesaver (or at least a phone bill saver) when you want to contact friends you make on your travels about where to meet up with them later.
Ear plugs
Whoever invented ear plugs has definitely spent their fair share of time sleeping in dorm rooms. These nuggets of genius are pretty much essential if you want a good night’s sleep in a hostel. They’re also handy for sleeper trains and buses.
Mosquito repellent and mosquito net
No one likes to itch, and no one likes to be covered in bright red splotches. Even if you’re one of those really annoying people who never seems to get bitten (I hate you), it’s worth spraying on some mossie repellent and investing in a net, particularly in Malaria zones.
Notebook and pens
I guarantee that despite your good intentions to start a blog, by the time you get round to typing it up, you’ll have forgotten loads. Nothing beats lying on an isolated beach with a notebook in your hand, writing about your latest travel adventures and capturing how you’re feeling. As our Facebook fan Lisa says, “It would be a shame if all those amazing things will be forgotten… and you can’t capture every experience in pictures or remember every detail forever. so I write them down!”. Thanks Lisa!
Travel insurance
OK it’s boring, and yes, I sound like your mum, but it’s so, so important — not least because you can’t get it once you’ve left! Don’t let getting your iPod nicked or having to fork out for medical treatment ruin your trip. You can buy insurance from only 32p day – and it’ll probably keep your mum quiet too.
iPhone
Or a similar smartphone with music-listening capabilities. Travelling without music on long bus journeys is no fun; plus, the songs you listen to will forever remind you of your travels – wistful sigh. Plus, you can use your smartphone to access wifi (technology these days, eh?) Take our Facebooker Amy’s advice: “Google maps was invaluable whilst I was away. Before moving to a new town I would load the map area so when I arrived I could never get too lost! Especially useful when arriving somewhere late at night.” Just remember to turn data roaming off, or risk being landed with a massive phone bill.
Padlocks
Take a couple of padlocks. They’ll keep your backpack secure, and you can also use them on lockers in some hostels.
Toilet roll
Stick some loo roll in your bag, particularly if you’re travelling around Latin America or Asia, where the public toilets may be notably void of hallowed roll. On a toilet-related note; start practising your crouching skills, as the public loos will probably be lacking in seats – squat toilets, anyone? You’ll soon get used to them.
Scarf
No, not the woolly winter kind; I’m talking about a nice big lightweight scarf – we ladies call them pashminas. Gents, why not try a keffiyeh, or a less-politically-controversial-but-still-manly equivalent. Not only will a scarf keep you warm if the evenings get chilly, it can also double up as a beach blanket, and protect you against subzero air conditioning on a bus or train journey.
That’s it from me, but this is by no means a comprehensive list. Do you think I’ve missed anything glaringly obvious, or do you have your own TEFL must-haves? Drop them in the comment box below! Or to start your teaching adventure view TEFL courses today.