Class Reflection #1

On our first day of class, we had to reveal one of our biggest weaknesses when it came to traveling, and I knew mine right away–I am a chronic overpacker. After hearing the presentation in class about business etiquette and attire, I knew I would need to do a lot of research to make sure I was planning on packing the best clothing possible for our trip. One thing that I immediately noted was that Chinese business attire is very modest for women and that three quarter sleeves are sometimes more appropriate than short sleeves. This was surprising to me because many of my business blouses are short sleeved. To do some additional research, I ended up looking on the T&M Program Facebook page and looking at pictures from previous trips. I looked specifically at what the women were wearing to see what might be comparable for me to wear. One thing I noticed was that skirts are typically longer and necklines are higher than in the United States, so that is something to keep in mind. I was also very worried to hear that shorts are not typically allowed, but it appears that during the visit to the Great Wall of China, most people wore athletic shorts, which made me feel relieved. I also looked up some general packing tips so I can make the most use of the space in my luggage. One thing I recently started using are packing cubes and I have found them to be very helpful to keep things organized. I also was reminded to try and leave a bit of space, which is important in case I want to bring souvenirs home to my family (which I do!) Another interesting tip I read was to put shoes inside of a shower cap so that the entire suitcase doesn’t get dirty. I will probably utilize this tip when I bring my athletic shoes for climbing the Great Wall. Overall, after doing some investigation of my own, I feel much more comfortable packing.