So, You’re Moving Abroad: 3 Things You Need To Consider While Packing

So, you’ve taken the leap and decided to (wisely) move abroad! First thing, I’ve done before I’ve moved abroad for a few months and now my longest time away from the states at 9 months, is written down a list of things I need before I start panicking to pack. This list is a bit general but it has definitely helped me a lot. I’ve separated it out into electronics, toiletries, and some country specific things I’ve needed living in East Africa. 

Mind

What definitely takes priority is the things from the States or wherever your home is that you absolutely cannot do without. For me, it’s my books- both hard copy and electronic. The most difficult part of packing is realizing a) how many books I have and b) narrowing down the list of books that I cannot live without. Those are as follows:

• Purple Hibiscus – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Mules and Men- Zora Neale Hurston
• Any of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency- Alexander McCall Smith
• Black Feminist Thought- Patricia Hill Collins
• About Love: New Visions- bell hooks

 

If it wasn’t glaringly obvious- my books are overwhelmingly Black and Woman- just like me. Whatever your race or gender, be sure to have your go to novel that you can curl up to when you’re feeling homesick, sad, or need a happy escape. Books are amazing for that. While, these are my hardcover books, I have also taken advantage of ebooks through both the Chicago Library and my hometown Oak Park and the Overdrive app. Overdrive is an app that lets your reserve books and download them to your smartphone, tablet, or even read online. My plan for using Overdrive and e-books is whenever I have a solid connection to download a book to my laptop and read when I get read. Technology is amazing these days.

Once you’ve gotten your academic fix, what about movies and shows? Netflix just announced an amazing way of downloading movies and shows to view offline ( it’s liiiiiit). Considering I was thinking of canceling my subscription before I move, Netflix just saved one loyal customer. Similar to downloading e-books, when I have a stable connection and preferable over a wireless network instead of USB data internet as is available in many African countries, I would download my absolute must-have and bingeworthy shows to watch whenever I had a chill moment.

Body

Now that your electronic life is settled, the next biggest category deals with the plethora of toiletries essential for this Black girl’s survival. One thing, I’ve noticed is that there is unfortunately a shortage of natural hair products in some African countries I’ve lived in. With this in mind, I was always just sure to hoard all my essentials before leaving and once I get more settled in my neighborhood, I was able to find things that were good for my hair routine. Here in the states I wear protective styles because a) I’m lazy and b) I think it’s easier to have a go-to style so I can spend time on more experiences than doing my hair. So, same goes when I’ve lived in East Africa. I tend to wear kinky Afro twists and get them redone about every 3-4 weeks. In the interim, I deep condition with Vatika hair masks which are easily found in shops and oil with my own grapeseed and rosemary mixture. As I leave in just over a month, I am keeping my eye out for any flash BOGO sales of Shea Moisture so I can stuff my suitcase with leave-in and as always I keep grapeseed on deck.

Hair routine (check). Next, is all your soaps and body washes that you cannot live without. For me, it’s the Good brand of soap from Whole Foods and their 365 Lavender body wash. Typically, they both range from about 5$ for three bars of soap and about 4$ for a 20oz bottle of wash. Double that and I consider myself set for a couple of months. Additionally, as a Black girl I am nothing without Shea butter. I order from butters-n-bars.com and since the Christmas season is around there are plenty of discounts for their amazing unrefined natural shea butter. 

This next category may not be as applicable for some but I’ll include it anyways. Fragrances are so important to me. I’ve always found it amazing how a smell can take you back to a place so deeply and fill you with incredible memories. So, with that in mind, I actually design or purchase new fragrances to coincide with new chapters in my life. When I lived in Tanzania, the new Mariah Carey fragrance had just come out and to this day if I get a whiff of it I am overwhelmed with memories of Tanzania. Last fall, when I started my first teaching post I was obsessed with Marc Jacobs’s Lola and when I wear it today I am reminded of the first day jitters I had and the excitement to meet my students. With Kenya on the horizon and the incredible fragrance deals (what up, Ulta.com), I am brainstorming the light and fluffy scent I want to remind me of this new chapter and incredible opportunity ahead. One scent that has always calmed me though is lavender and I intend on bringing my essential oil and room spray with lavender with me to my new place and as a constant reminder that calmness and tranquility are timeless states of being. Whatever your go-to happy scent is, be sure to bring it to your new home as a reminder of who you are at your core.

Finally, the last ‘body’ element to consider for me would be the insane amount of body hair I have. This isn’t TMI because you were thinking it, I’ll just say it. Shaving absolutely sucks ass. So, to combat this, considering I’ve mostly lived in tropical climates, I always Nair about 1 week before moving and touch up a few weeks after I arrive because honestly, who wants to spend their days abroad shaving their body. I could be enjoying the seasons and enjoying my experience. So, in short, nair it and live your life.

Spirit 

Spirit for me encompasses my emotional and physical well-being. Many folks would include a care for one’s physical well-being under a ‘body’ category but personally the two are intertwined. In the last few months, I’ve grown more conscious of my physical health and diet and have formed a serious attachment (obsession) with intense workouts and the beautiful world of CrossFit. While, I won’t have a CrossFit box readily accessible in Wamunuyu (the closest is in Nairobi), I am quite adaptable and plan on doing exercises wherever I can. Fitness for me is about removing the barriers from my mind and pushing my body to do more than I ever thought it could. Long-distance running and with the support of some awesome instagrammers who post daily work-outs are how I will maintain the level of discipline and mindful attitude that have pushed me to where I am today (physically). The other component of spirituality for me is my faith as a Christian. Whatever your religious (or a-religious) belief, while living abroad and battling culture-shock, language barriers, and homesickness it is important you find a space to breathe, reflect, and tune into yourself. For me, it is through worshipping with others in a community, practicing Yoga, and also long-distance running. Whatever brings you closer into communion with yourself or others- hold tight to this because you will need strength in difficult times while living abroad.

Along with a physical spirit, as humans we know we are emotional. For me, connecting with co-workers and friends in a new space is how I keep the human connection and also see the beauty of exploring a new place as well. Regularly scheduled skype dates with family and friends also alleviate any homesickness and remind you of the life and connection you have back home. Technology has advanced so much even in the last three years since preparing to move to Tanzania. There is What’sApp a texting application for iPhones and Android that allows you to send messages, photos, voice-notes, and even call with a wireless connection. What’sApp is the easiest way to communicate with friends in the States in real time.

As a writer, keeping a running tab of my thoughts in a new place is essential. I keep a physical journal while living abroad and even three years after leaving Tanzania, I still read my entries. In this digital age, a typical pen and paper type of journaling is rare but for me, it is invaluable. To see my words, penmanship, random doodles on my entries is always entertaining to look back at later. Whatever medium you choose, I encourage some type of written reflection on your thoughts, sights, sounds, food- everything. Those first few days in your new home will be filled with emotions that you’ll want to look back on either way. 

Finally, the last physical element of my spirit that will need attention abroad would be herbal remedies for a plethora of things. Whatever herbs or medicines essential to maintaining your spirit should definitely be included in your packing list.  

All in all, moving abroad is one of the most exciting things I’ve done (now a total of three times). I share these insights not as a blueprint but as a person who has taken the leap and some things that have kept me sane and let me be more mindful in my life abroad. With 35 days until I leave, I am remaining mindful and enjoying family, friends, good books and company before I take off for this new chapter in my life.

Be well,

Mariah