1 Student, 2 Suitcases, and 7,317 Miles: The Secret to Packing For an International Adventure

Every traveler can agree that packing is the least favorite part of going on a trip. And when you’re going international, it adds another level in annoyance in the form of checked bags, airline policy, and waiting exasperated at baggage claim. Don’t forget that (if you're coming from America) you also have to follow TSA guidelines.

Luckily, I’ve figured out a trick that I’ve been using for my last few trips that helps me bring more clothes with less space.

But first, introductions. My name is Danielle Adoghe and I’m a student at the University of Central Florida. I have a personal goal to learn both inside and outside the classroom and that achieved by taking trips like this one, to Tokyo with IES Abroad. I'm working hard to learn about the fashion industry by educating myself internationally so that I can be prepared for a career that I enjoy. Everywhere I go I learn something new, so I try to go everywhere I can.

You can see on my Instagram (@danielleadoghe) the various places I’ve gone. I get in trouble with all of my travelmates over the fact that I like to bring a backup outfit, and then a backup outfit in case that one gets stained, haha! But I still get all of my things packed without having to pay for extra weight.

How?

I roll my clothes! Especially after folding them all the time, the sight of two or three clothing logs in your suitcase can seem a bit odd. But it actually solves a number of the problems that comes with packing. It’s as easy as one, two, three:

1. Lay out the clothes you want for a log on top of each other, as uniformly as possible.

2. Make them as uniform as possible. For shirts, take the sleeves and cross them over the chest. For pants, tuck them in so that there’s no gap between the legs. Dresses are folded up at the end so that they line up with whatever is underneath it.

3. Roll from the top to the bottom, moving quickly and rolling tightly.

Packing your clothes like this squeezes out all the air that can get trapped between clothes. This means that you can stack more items on top and the luggage is lighter overall. A good roll with ironed clothing also keeps it from getting squeezed during the travel.

Honestly, I’m so glad I found this method when I did. Without it, I never would’ve been able to pack everything I wanted for Japan AND still have space left over. I managed to stow away clothes, makeup, and electronics with a square of space left over for things to bring back. すごい！

If you’re interested in my international adventure or want some inspiration for your trip to Japan, follow me on Instagram @danielleadoghe! I love new followers and can always be found replying in the comments.