Hi everyone! I’m Amy from BiblioMOMia, and I get to post from my boring couch in DC while Hannah jaunts away to somewhere far more exciting for her conference!
I did a series on academic conference attire in the past on my own blog (some pics above), so I was delighted when Hannah asked me for some input on international travel. I’ve gone to a lot of international conferences (hoorary for travel funding!), and I learned a few things along the way. For example, hotels are often freezing, and getting an extra blanket might not happen. Bars in Portugal don’t shut down until far later than they do here, potentially making you late for your morning panel (for many reasons). You might not have time in the day to switch shoes or change bags. And you should always have a clean pair of underwear.
Obviously, every conference is different, every country has different challenges, and every academic discipline has its own catalogue of idiosyncrasies. I’m a Ph.D. candidate in English, and I know conference attire in my field leans toward the traditional or the artsy. However, I think these 7 items are a necessity regardless of those differences. Bon Voyage!
My 7 International Essentials
- Jersey Dress. Packing light is absolutely key for an international conference; every time I attend one, there is always some poor grad student who lost his or her bag and has to attend the first panels in rumpled jeans and sneakers. Not a good first impression! You want a dress that is lightweight but sophisticated, suitable for presenting a paper or attending a dinner. If you can wear it for a day of sightseeing, too, that’s an extra bonus. The goal is to find a great blank canvas that will change entirely with your accessories – change your shoes, belt, scarves, and jewelry, and no one will know it’s the same dress!
- Scarves. Okay, so yeah – you need two. One big, warm, and cozy – it will act like a blanket on the plane, keep you warm in your hotel room, and look amazing double-wrapped with tees and jeans. One silky, bright, and sophisticated – it’s the perfect extra accessory whether your wear it around your neck, on your bag, or use it to hail a cab.
- Ballet Flats. My essential traveling shoe. My gold JCrew ballet flats have wandered the cobblestone streets of Portugal and danced in pubs in Ireland. They look great at the conference, fold up flat in a bag, and are supremely comfy for all of the walking. Regardless of the other shoes in my suitcase (usually a pair of colored pumps, and I wear my TOMS on the plane), I will always travel with a nice pair of flats. Make sure you break them in well before you leave!
- Leather Bag. When you’re traveling internationally, your bag is even more important than when you’re at home. You’ll probably be spending large amounts of time away from the hotel (and from your stuff), so it needs to be large enough to hold your laptop, extra shoes, your conference portfolio, a bottle of water, books, and lots of souvenirs. And, trust me, you don’t want to be that grad student with a backpack. You just don’t. Invest in a beautiful and well-made leather bag now, and you’ll have it forever.
- Lip Balm. More specifically, Rosebud Salve. My skin becomes insanely dry on planes and during the rigors of international travel, and this stuff is amazing. Don’t just use it on your lips – it’s a great facial moisturizer in small doses, and it’s magical on elbows. The rosy sheen is perfect for hiding a hangover, too. I’ve used it to tame flyaway hairs before a presentation, and it calmed the rash I got from swimming with fire coral in Italy. However, its true remedy is for preventing blisters during lots of walking. If you start to feel a hotspot, dab a dollop of this on your toe (or heel, or whatever).
- Downy Wrinkle Releaser. My lifesaver. I have sung its praises before, but it really shines for travel. I always carry a small spray bottle with me (although they do make it in a travel size, it’s hard to find; put it in an old travel hairspray bottle that you’ve washed thoroughly.) It will take out even the most stubborn of wrinkles, and I usually end up using it on all of my friends, too (especially the guys and their creased shirts). No one will believe that you crumpled up your jersey dress in a tiny bag!
- A Watch. So maybe you don’t wear one at home. But here, you’re used to having your cell phone at all times, and you might not be able to rely on a mobile clock when you’re traveling. I have been almost-late so many times: for a train, for a panel, for last call at a pub. Wear a watch ALL the time, and set it to local time. You won’t miss anything important, and when you wake up in the middle of the night in a foreign country and have no idea what’s going on…at least you’ll know what time it is.
Obviously, these items are just a beginning. But they're the things I'd never consider leaving out of my bag, wherever I'm heading.
Thanks so much for hanging out with me while our lovely Pharmer is running about the Sicilian countryside. Have an amazing time, Hannah! We all can't wait to see those photos when you get home.
Cheers,
Amy of BiblioMOMia
These are great tips--I especially love the watch idea! I won't be going to any international conferences any time soon (sadly), but I will be taking a group of students to Quebec in January and I'll need to remember my watch!
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