Bonjour and welcome to the first installment of “Study Abroad in France with Josh.” This first part is all about the packing part of my journey.
First off, let’s be real. Packing is often the part of a trip that stresses people out the most. I’m no exception.
From figuring out what outfits to bring to checking the weather forecast, packing is basically an art form. I can’t say I’ve mastered it, but I think I’m getting pretty close.
First things first, my study abroad program takes place in Angers, France from June 1 to June 29. This meant I had to plan strategic outfits that fit into a checked bag, a carry-on and a backpack.
Most people who know me know I have an appreciation for fashion, but my everyday style is pretty simple: a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a jacket. For France though, I had to spice things up.
Cue the research phase.
For the last few weeks of April and most of May, my Pinterest boards, Google searches and YouTube history were all filled with “French-style ideas for men.”
Some of the looks were inspiring, but most didn’t really feel like me. So, I turned to our trusty friend ChatGPT.
Knowing I had limited space to pack a month’s worth of clothes, I asked it to help me make a packing list.
Et voilà. In less than 30 seconds, it gave me a base list to work with. I didn’t follow it exactly, though. I also asked my host parent in France for recommendations.
After a lot of back and forth, here’s what I’m taking.
I prioritized a mix of comfort and style. Think basics such as tees, jeans and a couple of button-ups—which I’ve recently started getting into—as options for dinners or events.
I packed light layers since the weather in France can be unpredictable in June. I also made sure everything could be mixed and matched easily.
Of course, I had to include a few travel must-haves. These include a good book to read at the airport or on the plane, an iPad full of downloaded TV shows and movies, my Spotify playlists and a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Shoes were tricky, but I narrowed it down to walking shoes, something casual and one pair for dressier occasions.
I also packed the essentials: toiletries, tech gear, fragrances and of course my travel documents.
With just one checked bag, a carry-on and a backpack, I had to be practical with the packing. Nevertheless, I feel good about what I’m bringing. How will it all hold up in France? We shall see.
Until then, au revoir!
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