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What do you take in your suitcase?

How do you pack your bags before going abroad as an Au Pair?

You have decided to go Au Pairing in Belgium for a year and you are wondering what to pack?
packing? Well, you're not alone...

As a woman in her 20s, packing your entire life into two suitcases to move abroad can be overwhelming and yet so exciting. What’s even more overwhelming is deciding whether to leave your cute woolly sweater and jeans at home, or whether it’s worth the space it’s taking up in your suitcase.

If you come from a sunny country like South Africa, moving to a country with a lot of rainy days and gloomy weather, deciding what to pack can be even more daunting.

I'm here to help make the big transition a little easier.

Layers. The first word to use when packing. Layering your clothing is the best thing you can do. As an Au Pair in a new country, you will likely spend a lot of time outside exploring
your new city. It can be very uncomfortable to be cold outside, believe me! Inside it is warm and cozy. Outside it can be a whole different story.

The weather changes very quickly. From sunny, to cloudy, to slightly drizzly, back to sunny is what you can expect on a normal day in Belgium. You can also expect extremely beautiful autumn days with lots of sun, but with a very cold breeze. So I used my organizational talent, previous experiences living in a cold country like Germany and my experience living in Belgium for exactly 6 weeks and put together a list for those of you who might feel a bit lost during this part of the trip. Remember that this can differ from person to person. Everyone packs what they feel most comfortable with.

Please note that this list is designed for two suitcases of 23kg each. I would also recommend dividing your suitcases by season.

For fall/winter I would pack the following:

  1. Two or maybe three comfortable pairs of jeans
  2. Three or four pairs of pants. These can range from comfortable stay-at-home pants to more formal pants that are suitable for a restaurant, a nice coffee shop or for a fun girls' night out on the town.
  3. Two pairs of comfy sweats for lazy days at home. Two to three training leggings (if you are a sporty person who likes to work out).
  4. Long sleeve training clothes
  5. Maybe a skirt or two with stockings if you like to wear that.
  6. Four to five basic long-sleeved shirts.
  7. Two or three sweaters
  8. Two to three wool sweaters
  9. Lots of socks!
  10. A warm puffer jacket
  11. Two to three vests for extra layers
  12. For when it's cold I would wear a long coat or puffer jacket
  13. One to two pairs of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
  14. A pair of winter boots
  15. Trainers
  16. Finally, a scarf, mittens and a hat for the winter months
  17. Feel free to bring a waterproof jacket if you want
  18. And an important one that people often forget – comfortable slippers!

For spring/summer I would pack the following:

  1. Lots of short sleeve t-shirts and tops. Because this folds small this can vary between eight to 12. You can also use the short sleeve tops as layers during the winter months!
  2. Five pairs of shorts (linen or denim shorts)
  3. Two to three skirts Three dresses
  4. Two to three trouser suits
  5. Light bomber or denim jacket for colder days
  6. A vest
  7. Short sleeve sports tops
  8. Two or three pairs of shorts for exercising during the summer months
  9. Swimsuit
  10. Cap
  11. Sunglasses
  12. Slippers
  13. Two to three pairs of sandals

Don’t forget other essentials, such as seasonal pajamas and plenty of underwear. Also, don’t forget to pack the necessary toiletries. I would recommend bringing enough, as it can be quite expensive to buy everything at once when you arrive. Bring enough medication. Again, I would recommend bringing enough, depending on how easily you get sick. Headaches, nausea, colds and flu, stomach cramps, vitamins and minerals, etc.

The following is not a must, but it does help a little on the days you miss home. Things like your favorite tea or coffee. Maybe some spices and herbs that you use at home for cooking. Snacks that you like to eat. Or maybe even something like your favorite stuffed animal or pillowcase. Anything that gives you the warmth of home.

Last but not least, gifts for your host family. This can be something small. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. It can be something traditional or handmade from your own country. Gifts are always welcome.

This is just a guideline. Adapt it to your needs. Only pack things you know you will wear and use. You will collect many new things over the course of the year. But it is better to pack too much than too little! And remember: what you don't bring, you can also buy. At the end of the
year you can give away anything you don't want to take home. But as an Au Pair who doesn't earn much, you might be better off using your money to travel and explore your new country, rather than shopping.

Have fun packing!

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