Buckland Weekly #7 : Packing for your trip

Probably the most commonly asked question from people planning to come and join the Buckland teaching programs is what they need to bring from home. Mostly you will be able to buy whatever you need in China but there may be a few things that you will find difficult.

Here are some suggestions about things you may want to bring with you. There actually isn't that much.

Medicines

You can buy almost any medicines that you need here but if you have specific branded items that you want, then bring them with you. Things like ibuprofen or paracetamol are easy to get in any pharmacy. Anti-histamines, sickness/diarrhea/constipation meds can be harder to get hold off and I'd suggest you bring some.

If you need regular prescription medications, check with your own pharmacist before coming.

Clothing

If you take larger sizes (and by that I don't mean really large, just things that would be XL in our stores) you may find shirts and things hard to get in your size. If your shoe size is large bring enough pairs to last. Shoes above the following sizes can be hard to find. They can be found but you will not have a lot of choice.

Men: US 9/UK 8/ Europe 43/China 43

Women US 7.5/UK 5/ Europe 38/ China 39

I am also told that getting bras that fit is very difficult.

Cosmetics etc

If you have particular brands you like, bring them with you. Be aware that many Chinese cosmetics contain skin whitening agents. Deodorant can be hard to get in some places. I've also seen women on the group FB page suggest that sanitary products can be hard to get. Ditto for hair dye, if you use it.

Teaching Materials

Bring any favourite materials with you. Don't bother with books. You probably won't have a chance to use them and they just use up your weight allowance on the plane. If you think you will need file cards bring them. I've never seen them here. Also hard to get are good glue sticks and blutack.

Computer Stuff

I would seriously advise you to get a VPN before you come. Many sites, including anything at all connected with Google are blocked by the firewall. I'd recommend Astrill or Express but any good VPN will do. I'd advise against using any of the free ones as they are unreliable here in China. Get it before you come because you may not be able to download the software once you are here. It used to be possible to download them here but the Chinese Government is becoming more aggressive in blocking things.

Things like flash drives and even 2 or 4 terabyte hard drives can be got easily and relatively cheaply here in most large cities but I'd advise getting them from a shop rather than taobao (a bit like a Chinese Amazon) as the principal is very much "let the buyer beware" on taobao. I once bought some flash drives that didn't work. When I tried to return them the supplier was no longer in business and when I contacted the manufacturer I was told they were fakes.

Food

Obviously you won't want to fill your luggage with food but packing some dried herbs and spices is a good idea as some of the ones we commonly use in the west are very hard to get over here.

Reading Books

You won't find a big selection (or indeed any selection in some parts) beyond dual language classics for Chinese students. An e-book reader is probably best, loaded with your favourite authors.

Kitchen equipment

Mostly easy to get but bring a potato masher. I haven't seen any here. I got mine brought over from England by a visiting friend.

Emergency money

You won't get paid until the end of your first month and that month is the most expensive as you will want to buy extra things for your apartment. I usually travel with about $500 or equivalent in another currency. It's easy to change at any bank.

And that's all I can think of right now. As always, if you have any specific questions you can post them to me via the Buckland FB group.

Bob Hale