As I stared at empty suitcases and the mess that had become my room, I had ZERO idea where to even begin when it came to packing for Russia. Since no one had provided me with a list of potential necessities, I took it upon myself to find one online, but came up short, SO! Here I am sharing with you what I packed, and what I left behind, as I prepared to study abroad in Russia for four months (all under 100lbs too).
CLOTHES
First and foremost, remember Russia is a conservative country for the most part. The majority of people stick to neutral colors and basic, practical clothes. Not only will wearing bright colors be a major tell that you are a tourist (possibly making you a target), it can also earn you many dirty looks which is never enjoyable… like the time I wore a Lily Pulitzer dress as I walked down Nevsky Prospect.. don’t recommend.
For the winter months, LAYER UP. I recommend bringing a few big sweaters but don’t go crazy! Save the crazy for the thin under garments such as long sleeve spandex and cotton shirts. By doing this, it reduces how many times you have to wash the sweaters (especially since a lot of sweaters are hand wash and that’s a pain). It’s also just a lot easier to wash the smaller garments and bonus: when it begins to warm up in the spring, you have thin shirts to wear. I also recommend doing this with socks as well. Pack a few big and fuzzy socks and a lot of thin ones.
For pants, I packed the basics like jeans, dress pants, and leggings. I also packed some looser pants in case I wanted to layer and wear leggings underneath. There are gyms around that are pretty cheap, so I would definitely bring workout pants as opposed to shorts, and maybe even some leg warmers to throw on for your walk!
Don’t forget dresses! The Russian ballet is world renowned and should definitely be an excursion while you are here. Like anywhere else, you must be dressed to impress when headed to a show. I packed 3 nice dresses and that was the perfect amount. Also, bring a nice blazer or sweater that will go with all or most of your dresses, as sometimes the theaters can be chilly.
As far as shoes go, I have over 200 pairs, and I was very content with only four. I packed my large winter boots, waterproof Chelsea boots, sneakers, and slippers. Shoes take up room and weigh more than an article of clothing, so try to only take what you need, and you can always buy another pair if you need it.
ACCESSORIES
Gloves, hats and scarves. Plural. This should be a given, but sometimes gloves get wet or one gets lost, and if you pack multiples you won’t have to scramble last minute looking for replacements!
Adapters. Again, plural. It can be really challenging to find adapters in other countries so just play it safe and bring at least two with you. Whether you lose one or a friend forgot to bring one, having an extra can never hurt.
Makeup Remover. I packed enough for my entire stay, and if you’re picky like I am, it is worth bringing. I went to Costco and stocked up on the Neutrogena ones because they are the only ones that work for me!
Medications. Make sure you have enough prescribed medication of course, but also pain relievers and cold medication. It’s always better to stick with the brands you know and I personally felt more comfortable just bringing these things with me. Also, I recommend bringing some sort of sleep aid, like melatonin or Nyquil, as the first few nights can be hard to fall asleep. These medications can help you with the time difference and make your adjustment much smoother.
Notebooks. In Russia, students use graph paper to take notes and if this isn’t your style, make sure to bring a few notebooks with you. The closest thing to lined paper here are little journals with about 20 pages each.
LEAVE BEHIND
Hair Tools. After hearing multiple horror stories, I decided to leave my straightener and curling iron at home. Sometimes these accessories can blow a fuse and you don’t want to break your favorite straightener. I looked at this as giving my hair a break and allowing it to grow, but if you can’t live without these, you can always buy them when you arrive.
Expensive Belongings. A lot of things are inexpensive in Russia, and for good reason. Not many people own extremely nice jewelry or accessories. I recommend leaving these at home for safe keeping, and also to keep yourself from looking too flashy.
High heels. There is a lot of walking to be done in Russia, especially in the cities such as St. Petersburg and Moscow, and they both have their fair share of cobblestone streets. Try to stick to block heels to ensure you don’t twist an ankle and have to sit out for a day.
TIPS
If you want to blend in, Russians are very into the Canadian tuxedo look, so bring your best denim outfit!
For those studying abroad: They can weigh your bags when you arrive in Russia and all your bags must be under 110lbs. Keep this in mind as you pack those shoes and accessories you think you’ll need but you know you won’t.
Remember: Most likely wherever you’re going is not in the middle of nowhere and you will have access to local pharmacies, grocery stores and retail stores. Think about what you can buy when you arrive, such as toiletries, slippers, and extra clothes if you don’t pack enough (or your suitcase hits the max weight too soon and you had to leave some things behind). Also, it’s a nice reminder of your trip when you buy products in the native language and bring them back home with you!
Have a blast traveling to such an amazing country and make sure to do it all. If you plan on studying abroad or have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comments below or shoot me an email!
