jesye_streisel

Hey everyone! I need some advice-

I'm moving to Milan for my first teaching position (yay!) for three years, but the shipment of ALL my belongs wont arrive until about a month after I do. Any suggestions for what to bring for the first month? It'll be about 4 weeks of teaching, as well as a week of orientation/exploring the city and weekend clothes. I'll be flying and will be picked up at the airport, but I don't want to bring more luggage than I could manage alone just in case something happens.

I appreciate any thoughts!
Thanks,
Jesye

spaarne

I've moved over twice, officially. Each time I put together an air freight shipment with the heavy stuff. It arrives a couple days after you release it here. It is airport to airport so you'll need transport at the other end. Sorry, being a geezer I can't advise you on what to put in it. For some insights into the overseas moving process see http://tinyurl.com/ymwge3. Good luck!

anyegr

Are you moving directly into the place you will be staying for the whole three years or into a temporary place for the first month? Is it a house or an apartment? Will you have access to laundry facilities?

You say ALL your belongings will arrive after a month. Are you moving furniture, too? Or will you move into a place that already has at least the minimum things? You're certainly going to need a bed for the first month, but you can't bring that in your luggage.

Bring enough clothes for about a week. Any prescription medicine you need for a month, in case you have trouble finding a doctor in Milan. Personal hygiene items for maybe two weeks.

Do NOT bring a hairdryer or other such things. Better to buy new in Milan, with the correct plugs and voltage or whatever.

Most things can be bought in Milan if you forget to bring it from home. But you may not have time to run around searching for shops the first week.

Mimar

I'd bring any prescriptions you need, not just the medicine but the written prescription.

To answer your first month question, when will you arrive in Milan?

jesye_streisel

Thanks for all the quick replies! I'm moving directly into my permanent apartment. It has some basic furnishings (I'll have a bed, couch, kitchen table...), as well as a washing machine and a clothesline.

The school I'll be working for is amazing, and will pay for me to ship 1000 lbs over, which is more than what I need. However, I will be arriving August 20th and my shipment is expected towards the end of summer.

Those are such great ideas! Thank you! One of my biggest concerns as that in addition to my being new abroad, I'll also be starting my first job (I'm 22), and so am a little unsure about what are the basic 'professional wardrobe' items. I look even younger than I am, so tend to dress a little more formally in terms of teaching clothes. Has anyone else had to pack for a month+ business trip, including sightseeing and weekend wear?

jesye_streisel

*End of September, not summer!

lavandula

These things are always highly subjective, but here's my opinion. I would probably tend towards bringing more work clothes - not sure what you like to teach in but a pantsuit could be handy - you can wear it a couple of times in a week, with or without the jacket. Maybe another jacket and a pair of (nice) jeans so that you can dress them up or down. Tops should do service both as smart and casual, so find some that go with everything, and maybe some shoes that can be for both smart and casual like ballerina flats. Take a week's worth of clothing, and some scarves and necklaces to dress up your outfit - they take little space and can make your outfit look different. I usually pack just over a week's worth of clothing so if I can't make it to the laundrette I still have a few spare items to get me by. I don't know when you leave but make sure you have something appropriate if the weather turns bad / cool, although your first port of call when you get there might be the shopping district to buy items for inclement weather, a hairdryer and a travel iron (depending on what your accommodation has). Often students leaving will advertise household items which they won't take home with them so look out for those sorts of notices. Something handy will be an over-the-door clothes drying rack, so you can wash smalls in your room. How exciting, hope it all goes well for you!

Lavandula

Alec

August/September can still be very warm in Milan - highs of 80s, and with a lot less air-conditioning than in US. You will only need summer wear, like short sleeved or sleeveless dress, or T shirt and capris. You really don't need a jacket - just a light pullover for the evenings when the temperature dips, and for occasional rain.
In my experience teachers in Italy dress quite informally, and unless you are teaching children, there is no need to power dress, and even then, just avoiding jeans and other student wear should do. Again practice varies so can you email other expat teachers at the school and ask for their suggestions?

annhig

yes, I suggest dressing for the season and comfort. Teachers in Italy do not IME dress formally and if you need to get something new, you're in the right place!

is there someone who is mentoring you or with whom you can make contact before hand just to check things out? if not, can the school put you i touch with someone - an ex-pat teacher would be ideal, but if not, someone near your age would be ok.

do come back and tell us how you get on - it would make a fascinating blog!

Grindeldoo

If you're teaching I guess you'll have a certain amount of printed material you may want to take with you. Scan whatever you can rather than take paper (I'm assuming you'll take a noteook/iPad or whatever) and back up on memory stick/s to take with you as well. I wouldn't bother taking a printer unless you're going to be badly paid - they don't cost much in Europe although ink is pricey. And you may find that you can print everything at the school.

A capsule wardrobe with enough accessories is sensible, and don't forget to take enough pairs of shoes that are comfortable as you probably won't be wanting to do much in the way of shopping before the first pay day.
Good luck in the new job.

hollywoodsc

Oh Jesye, you know exactly what you are packing. You just want to make us all jealous!!

Congrats on the job and move

onetwothreefourfive

GREAT life choice.

(how did you find it and what are you teaching?) So curious..I'm very excited for you.

(I posted about a mundane job, and here you are, doing the non-mundane)

I have no advice, and I am thrilled for you. (not much help but good for you!)