What to pack

For those starting their traineeship next week, but still waiting to take their flights to Brussels, one thing must be on your mind (standing out from all the 4289472389 others): packing! Indeed, having to fit 5 months of your life in one suitcase is not easy, but we have to be practical and get things done efficiently. Here are some things I am taking into account:

• Take a big suitcase and a smaller one or a backpack with you. The big one you can check-in and the smaller one you can take with you as hand luggage. Then, while the big one can stay untouched under your bed for the whole time you're in Brussels, you'll always have a smaller suitcase/backpack to take with you on the trips or weekend getways you'll certainly do.
• Clothes (and shoes)! They will be 90% of my luggage. I am lucky enough to go living in a studio already fully furnished and equipped, so I basicaly will only have to take my personal stuff with me. As for now it is still cold in Brussels, but it'll get warmer every week (remember we'll finish the traineeship in the end of July), I'll go for the "onion technique": layers! Take light, short-sleeved tops and then on top of them put long-sleeved sweaters, wool cardigans and warm coats. Take skirts and dresses that for now you will wear with tights, but then you can wear them without. Take not only boots, but also shoes that you can wear now already when it's not raining. I am also taking some sportswear for enjoying Brussels' great green areas.
• No beauty products (or at least take just the essentials for the first day). You can easily go to the supermarket upon your arrival and buy them there, rather than filling your luggage with them (as they are heavy and occupy space), with the risk of them getting spilled all over your clothes. All supermarkets in Brussels will have the common hygiene or beauty products that you're used to buy in your country (at least if you're European), so take only with you something that is very special or that you know it's not easy to find everywhere.
• Some other things like a hair dryer, my camera, my computer, my ipod, a big purse, two cellphones (one for the Portuguese number and another for the Belgian one), a notebook and stationary for the French classes, the Moleskine, an umbrella and some photos to decorate a wall will be in my luggage.

Of course that you can always have plans of going back some days to your country and on those trips you can bring/take more things with you, but consider that you may not want to be always carrying things one way and back and that, if you travel low-cost, you'll always have to pay an extra for checked-in luggage, so try to plan things right and take the most of what you need now with you. Visitors may always be helpful to bring you stuff you have forgotten (or to take you that special treat from your country that you have been craving).

 

Another thing (specialy if you're a girl), be prepared for not having so many clothes and shoes with you in Brussels as you have in your home. But, hey, how many of us have a closet full of clothes and end up wearing the same favorites most of the time? This way you'll only take your favorites with you and with the luggage space you have you'll still have plenty of things you can carry along with you.

 

As for other things you may need when you arrive in Brussels, you'll always have the supermarkets and IKEA. The room/studio where you're be living may be lacking some stuff and for little money you can go there and find some things to fill it up or just to get it a more personal look. Some of the things you may even be able to carry with you back home when you return. Just try to think about the essentials for your stay in Brussels and remember you're there for enjoying a new working environment and having fun with the new people you'll meet... if that implies living with less material things than you're used to, just let it be!