29 Aug If you’re going to San Francisco..

Picking up your life and moving somewhere new will always be an exciting experience. The moment I knew I was accepted at SFSU I handed in my 3 months resignation on both my room in my shared flat in Norway and my part time jobs.

Step two (if you ignore the million steps which is necessary to actually be accepted to SFSU and get your student visa etc..) I had to pack everything I owned and move it to the attic in my sister’s apartment building. What am I doing with all this stuff anyway? All my belongings seems to reproduce and multiply every time I buy a new box to store them in.

Step three was packing for my year abroad. All my outfits had to go through auditions where I explained to myself why I needed this shirt or this dress in San Francisco. The two suitcases was packed, revised, unpacked and repacked, and still I think I’ll regret some of my choices f.ex. bringing a hairdryer from Norway which doesn’t work here, or my heels which I realized after reaching the top of my first SF hill, I’ll never ever wear. I’m happy about most of my choices so far, the most important thing to know is that SF can have all seasons in one day, so dress like an onion, layer on layer. The mornings and nights may be deceivingly cold, but the afternoons are often surprisingly hot! I always keep a light scarf in my bag in case the wind comes to play. The other thing which is good to know is that the houses often have lower temperature than outside. Therefore you should bring warm sweaters and socks or slippers, especially if you live in a basement or on the ground floor.

On a more serious note. If you’re going to San Francisco, (or anywhere in the US), do not wear a flower in your hair. To be more specific, do not bring any kinds of plants or seeds into the country. Be careful with bringing medicines as powder or pills in large quantities, especially if you don’t have a prescription for them or they are contained in their sealed, original casing where it is described in English what they are. I have heard of people being detained at the airport for this and interrogated and fined, it is not worth the few dollars it will save you to buy it here. Check out the US embassy page in your home country before leaving for the US to make sure that you’re not putting yourself in a uncomfortable situation.

My name is Marie, I’m an exchange student from Norway and below I’ll include a very unflattering and realistic picture of how you might feel when you’re packing, planning and picking up your life to start a new somewhere else.

Everything you own in a box to the left 

© Marie Aadnesen