✈ Packing for a work summer abroad ✈

The Basics**

• 1 medium-sized luggage
• 1 carry-on bag/backpack
• 1 travel purse

** I tend to over-pack just because I like having options but I always remember to leave enough space for items I will purchase while abroad!

The Necessities 

• 2 travel adapters (in case one breaks)
• Digital or printed guide to wherever you're going (I have my Lonely Planet for Korea)
• Local currency
• A list of useful/common phrases
• Mobile phone

Step 1: Check the weather

According to Lonely Planet , Seoul's peak summer period is from late June to late August and as it turns out, my internship will be in the heat of this summer! 

Try to avoid peak summer, from late June to late August, which starts off with the monsoon season, when the country receives some 60% of its annual rainfall, and is followed by unpleasantly hot and humid weather. Although air-conditioning makes summers much more bearable these days, many locals flee the muggy cities for the mountains, beaches and islands, which become crowded, and accommodation prices double. There is also the chance of a typhoon or two.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea/weather

Typhoon? Monsoon? It's okay. Been there, done that. But in daily business casual attire?! I've done the bit where I attempt to wear as reasonably (and appropriately) little as I can to survive the humidity of Asia while trying to avoid unwanted sunburns. That was when I was an exchange student, now I must figure out how to balance business with humidity. As a gal who spent most of her life in sunny Los Angeles and San Francisco (except when Karl the Fog came by, of course) where the weather is generally dry, I've never had any real problem dressing for any occasion. I don't plan on having that problem in Seoul.

The month of June is characterized by gradually rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs increasing from 76°F to 80°F over the course of the month, exceeding 86°F or dropping below 69°Fonly one day in ten.
Precipitation is most likely around June 30, occurring in 55% of days. Precipitation is least likely aroundJune 1, occurring in 43% of days. Throughout June, the most common forms of precipitation are moderate rain, light rain, and thunderstorms.

Read more: http://weatherspark.com/averages/33287/6/Seoul-Seoul-Jikhalsi-South-Korea

One of my Danish friends once told me, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices." 

Step 2: Pack your checked luggage

I have my clothes sectioned in unequal thirds including work outfits on the left, casual outfits in the center packed tightly into my large work purse, and various toiletries/accessories/items to the right.

• 5 pairs of slacks
• 2 pairs of jeans for the more casual Fridays
• 1 work skirt
• 3 professional dresses; 1 of which can be a more classy day outfit if dressed down
• ~ 10 blouses that can be worn to both work and around town
• A couple pairs of shorts and summer dresses
• 1 waterproof jacket (I am borrowing my sister's Columbia Reign Stopper indefinitely, hehehe)
• Umbrella
• 2 pairs of work shoes
• 1 pair of sneakers + workout gear

Step 3: Pack your carry-on luggage and/or backpack

• All my electronics that I do not want to get smashed around in my checked luggage
• Extra change of clothes
• Overnight toiletries including a face mask for the plane ride! ;)

Step 4: Have all of your travel documents and IDs in one easy to reach place!

Here I have this great and pretty cheap Buxton bag I bought off of Amazon for travel purposes. I got the burgundy color for $11.24. It was a recommendation from a friend and it's incredibly handy! There's so many pockets for card storage and a neat little mirror attached to the inner front flap. I love that this can double as a purse for a night on the town or even walking around the city.