Before you depart your home country to embark on your au pair journey, there are so many things to think about and plan for – one of those things, of course, is a packing list! A year abroad is no short amount of time, and travel packing can sometimes be stressful. To help make things easier, you’ll want to think carefully about what items to bring, what items to leave behind, and what items to plan on buying in America. The good news is: We’re here to help!
We’ve assembled some of the most popular packing tips from au pairs, as well as ways to create the best travel checklist before you fly to the USA for the experience of a lifetime. 
Tip #1: Start early
Our first tip when packing for a year abroad is to start early! Never leave your packing until the last minute – that’s a surefire way to forget something important, or to become stressed about the process. When you start packing early, you can make lists of the things you need and slowly chip away at those lists in the days and weeks leading up to your departure. Starting early also gives you ample time to check in with your host family and other au pairs for suggestions, and to do any final shopping or searching before hopping on a plane to the USA.
You should also start early when it comes time to pack for your return to your home country – especially because you will likely have even more belongings than what you came with! The sooner you start the process, the easier it will be to organize yourself, secure baggage, and even send a package or two back to your home country. Au pairs often find that sending some belongings back via USPS or a specialized mail service can be a good solution to over-packing.
Tip #2: Do your research
Don’t be afraid to ask people for help! Your host family knows better than anyone what kind of climate and atmosphere you’ll be living in – ask them your questions and pack based on what they say. Take it from Polish au pair Sara, who is living with her host family in Colorado: “You should definitely ask your host family if they have certain, special kinds of clothes you can borrow so you don’t have to bring them over or buy them in the USA. For example, if you’re going to a state where you’ll have to survive the winter, it will be good to bring a jacket – or to borrow one. And if you’re going to a state like mine (Colorado) where there is hiking, you’ll want to bring hiking shoes from home – they’re very expensive in the U.S.”
Sara also recommends joining a Facebook group of au pairs from your country to try and find more information about what is good to take with you. “The au pairs should tell you what might be expensive here compared to the prices in your country,” she says.
Tip #3: Consider baggage allowance
You’ll want to be informed on what the exact baggage allowance is for your flights to and from the USA. Sara again has advice: “If your agency already bought your flight ticket, try to log into your reservation on the airline website and check if you can buy additional baggage. If you do, buy in advance. I bought additional baggage two months before my flight and I paid $70 instead of $100!” When choosing what bags to pack your belongings in, you’ll want something high-quality – but also something that won’t break the bank. Consider searching for baggage at local thrift shops, where they’re gently used and a fraction of the price. Don’t forget to bring smaller bags, too, such as a backpack or duffel for weekend trips and getaways with au pair friends!
Tip #4: Be realistic about clothing
When it comes to clothing, a packing list when traveling is key. Write out all the clothing you want to take with you and evaluate whether you really need every single piece you want to bring – it can be very easy to over-pack, and you don’t want to spend a fortune in baggage fees. Especially because you will most likely buy things while in America. Make sure you pack enough comfortable clothing to wear while caring for your host children – things that are easy to move in, and that you don’t mind getting dirty from time to time. After all, kids like to play!
You should also think about whether you want to buy clothes in the USA. “If you do not mind spending your money on clothes in America, then do not pack a lot of them. You will be able to buy a lot of clothes at good prices,” says Sara. “If you do NOT want to buy clothes while abroad, pack the clothes you’re going to need the most.” That means – be realistic about what you’ll be wearing! Fancy clothes are lovely, but will you be needing them a lot? Keep in mind the money you save by not shopping too much in the USA can go towards other aspects of your au pair experience, like traveling!
Tip #5: Don’t forget the miscellaneous
Between clothing, shoes, toiletries and accessories for a year abroad, you’ll have plenty to pack! But don’t forget all the other little things you’ll need to make your stay in the USA a safe, happy and successful one. You’ll of course want to bring your smartphone and any other devices you use on a regular basis, such as a laptop or tablet – and their respective chargers as well. Staying connected with your friends and family back home is so much easier now that we have so many forms of technology and social media – don’t be afraid to use them to avoid homesickness! Also be sure to pack at least one or two converters, as the electrical outlets in the USA are different from countries around the world. If there are any comfort items or even foods that you won’t be able to find in the USA and can’t live without, bring them! Make sure they’re packed carefully to avoid any breakage or spillage. Finally, it’s extremely critical that you keep all the important documentation you’ll need for your year abroad organized and safe – we recommend keeping it all in a folder or binder-keeper.