Leaving home for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. Making the decision to attend boarding school means beginning a year filled with new opportunities, weather, and experiences! These are all amazing things, but they can make it difficult for boarders to decide what is and isn’t important for them to pack—especially if this is the first time they’re moving away from home!
Leysin American School’s mountainside campus is located at 1,350 meters (4,400 feet), with lots of pistes and walking trails extending to even greater altitudes. Students also participate in activities like ice climbing, surfing, and cycling. With so many different opportunities available, here are the essentials we tell our students to bring with them to ensure a successful year here in Switzerland:
CLOTHING
For any boarding school student, it’s a good idea to do some research before packing. Will you be wearing a school-branded uniform? Are the temperatures fairly consistent throughout the year, or do they vary? These questions will help guide you as you decide what and how much to bring. At LAS students do wear a uniform, and we experience a variety of temperatures throughout the year. This means that students only need casual clothing for evenings and weekends, and they should bring layers for all types of weather. We recommend LAS students pack:
-
Winter coat and/or jacket
-
Raincoat and/or windbreaker
-
Sweaters
-
Hat
-
Mittens/gloves
-
T-shirts
-
Pants
-
Shorts/skirts
-
Casual shoes/sandals
-
Socks
-
Undergarments
-
Glasses
-
Sunglasses
-
Sleepwear
-
Formal outfits for banquets and special occasions
ALPINE AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Similarly to everyday clothing, students should investigate what sports equipment is available to them: are there branded gym uniforms? Ski gear? Answering these questions will make for much more efficient packing! At LAS, gym uniforms and ski jackets are provided. We recommend our students bring:
-
Ski trousers
-
Gloves
-
Helmet
-
Goggles
-
Ski boots
-
Skis
-
Poles
-
Snowboard equipment
-
Athletic clothing and specialized sports equipment such as shin guards, volleyball knee pads, or mouth guards
-
Hiking shoes
-
Athletic indoor shoes
-
Swimsuit
HYGIENE
You’ll likely be able to stock up on hygiene products wherever you go, but if there is a particular brand you like from home, be sure to bring extra! The stores near your school may not carry the brands you are used to. Items you should remember to pack include:
-
Toothbrush
-
Toothpaste
-
Hairbrush
-
Hair accessories
-
Floss
-
Toiletries
-
Deodorant
-
Chapstick
-
Hairdryer
-
Sunscreen
-
Skincare products
-
Nail clippers
-
Towels and washcloths
DORM ROOM DECORATIONS
With a few simple items, you can make your dorm room feel like a home away from home. While linens may be provided, like they are at LAS, you can consider decorations from home to add your own personal style to your space! Some options include:
-
Photos
-
Posters and other wall decorations
-
Lights
-
Mug
MISCELLANEOUS
-
Umbrella
-
Backpack
-
Musical instruments
-
Technology (laptop, phone, headphones, e-reader, etc) and chargers
-
Notebooks
-
Journal
English 
Chinese 
Portuguese 
Spanish 
Russian 
Italian 
French 
Arabic 
Hindi 
Uzbek