Know Before You Go: International Travel Gear
Don’t waste your money on travel gimmicks like space saving travel bags. There are really only a few things you need to travel successfully to your new teaching job overseas. Below we highlight the essentials.
Luggage
When traveling around the world or to your new teaching job, one thing you’ll absolutely want to invest in is a sturdy piece of luggage. Trust us, you don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere and have to deal with finding a new suitcase or bag because yours just broke. Because most airlines will now only let you check two pieces of luggage up to 50 pounds each on an overseas flight, the weight, size, and durability of your luggage becomes paramount. Instead of a suitcase, especially now that the airlines have limited their luggage allowance and weight, consider a high quality, lightweight, sturdy rolling duffle bag. Why a rolling duffel bag? You can stuff more in duffle bags, they generally weigh less than a suitcase, and they can squeeze under your bed once you’re settled in so you don’t to deal with the storage of bulky suitcases. If you have to have a suitcase, look for one with the benefits of a rolling duffle bag and make sure it… – weighs less than 10 pounds – has a zipper that will allow for a padlock – has a handle that locks in place – rolls! You may not find luggage carts or valets at your overseas destination airport.
Portable Luggage Scale
The worst thing about travelling abroad is getting to the airport and finding that your bags are overweight. With most airlines restricting baggage weight to just 50 to 70 pounds each (around 23 – 32 kilos) and charging hefty fines for each additional pound, you don’t have a lot of room for guessing. You don’t want to go over your weight allowance, but you certainly want to use every pound possible, especially if you’re moving to a new job overseas. Spend a few dollars on a tiny, portable luggage scale and you’ll never have the problem again. Take it with you overseas for your trip back, where you’ll be more likely to overpack and where the foreign airline attendants will be less understanding.
Money Pouch
Don’t get a money belt, which screams tourist to potential bad-guys when you awkwardly leaf through it under your shirt. A neck wallet that you wear around your neck is slightly better. Or, you can just buy yourself a shoulder bag or purse that both zips up and clasps, for extra protection. To safely wear your wallet in your back pocket, wrap several rubberbands around it – the rubber will secure the wallet against your pants and will alert you should someone try to pick it.