A LIST OF THINGS FOR TO BRING TO SCHOOL

Ready to go to a foreign school?

WHAT TO PACK WHEN YOU GO TO SCHOOL ABROAD FOR THE FIRST TIME.

When you first go to a foreign school then no matter how hard you try you will have a lot of luggage. I saw the children's room on the day of arrival or departure when the suitcases are still not unpacked and not tucked away in a special storage. I can tell you exactly — nobody comes to school with one suitcase. If children are from Europe — it's 2-3 suitcases and carry-on baggage, children from Asia take 6-7 large suitcases!

The first thing you need to consider climatic differences from home and how often the child will come home on vacations. In European schools there are three trimesters in the academic year and there are three long vacations and three are mid term 1 week break each semester. That means it is likely that after 6-7 weeks the child will arrive home on the first vacation and can take seasonal clothes. Many parents believe that the semi-semester break isn't long enough to arrange the flights home. But if you fly no more than 4 hours staying with local family will cost you same or even more than the flight home.

During the school day 5-6 days per week the children wear uniforms. After school the children begin elective classes and sport and all these classes just mean wearing school or sport uniforms. Casual clothes only needed in the evening and on Sunday. In addition, you need to bring warm clothes, toiletries and bath accessories.

Lists of clothes and other items will be sent to each student prior to departure, while you, yet again, need to  consider when the child will return on the break and change clothes for the next season.

WHAT THERE IS IN THE SCHOOL DORM

If your child will live in a school boarding house (also called a boarding school, a dormitory), then his room will be cleaned by staff. Still the child needs to keep their things in order that you should teach him to do in advance before a trip. In the room he will have the necessary furniture, a pillow, blanket, sometimes a bedding. If you child is used to certain pillow it's better to buy one on arrival or to bring along. All children in school will have their clothes regularly washed and ironed. Older pupils are taught to iron their clothes and how to use the washing machine. At some schools you would need to pay for uding washing machine.

To create home coziness, it is recommended to give the child something he kept in his room at home — toys, posters, photos, bedspread or decorative pillows on the bed. These things are better put in a suitcase when the child goes to school for the first time.

Where to buy uniforms and school supplies

Buy uniform only in the school as each school has different one often including shoes and socks. Usually the form includes the shirt, pants/skirt, pullover, jacket, tie, short and long sport uniform, numerous t-shirts and socks, sometimes shoes.

School supplies can be brought from home — kids love to have their pens and notebooks diferent from foreign peers. But in order not to overload the luggage, you need to know that all this can be purchased directly at the school store.