Packing for a long trip is just like writing a paper — you have to go back through your stuff a couple of times, says Kerem Sengun, Istanbul, Turkey senior.

From March to August, approximately 20 percent of sales at Backwoods, 916 Massachusetts St., are from students going on trips abroad, Adrian Meneses, manager of Backwoods, says.

Backpacking through foreign countries isn’t easy. It takes preparation and planning. Not only are travelers headed to continents where people speak different languages and measure the temperature in Celsius, but travelers also have to anticipate everything they need for a long trip.

Bring the essentials, but not too much, says Meneses. Before strapping on a pack and heading across the ocean or border, take these handy hints to heart.

Picking the perfect pack

The size of your pack is a key factor in comfort, Meneses says. Backpacks are designed to fit different bodies and custom made for men or women. Travel packs vary in size, but many are built to fit in airplane overhead storage bins. Some also come with smaller attachable packs to take along for day trips.

Meneses says to look for backpacks with concealed zippers.

“You want to make it as difficult as possible for people to get into your backpack,” he says.

Lighten your load

All you need for traveling are clothes, money and the proper documents, says Guzmán García Rodríguez, Pontevedra, Spain graduate student. Rodríguez has traveled to 14 countries, staying in youth hostels and budget hotels. He packs lightly so he can easily keep track of his things.

And the less you have, the more mobile you are, Sengun says. Backpackers are always catching trains, using public transportation and moving around. A lighter load is easier on both you and the natives because you won’t be bumping into them with your pack, Sengun says.

Airlines often have weight requirements for both carry-on and checked luggage. Ryanair, a United Kingdom-based airline, allows only 15 kilograms (33 pounds) for checked bags, according to ryanair.com. It charges a fee for each excess kilo, so packing light is easier on your wallet and your back.

Safety first

Tourist attractions often have thieves in the area who make a living by preying on confused tourists. When protecting yourself and your things, there’s no such thing as overly-cautious.

“I sleep with my money in my socks,” Rodríguez says.

Zippers with locks can be key to keeping your stuff safe. Look for Travel Sentry Certified locks, Menses says. Airport security has a master key to open them so the staff doesn’t have to break them, causing you to buy more locks once you get overseas, he says.

Concealable money pouches should be like a second skin. They can strap onto your waist or hang around your neck and be tucked away under your clothes, hiding your passport, money and other valuables from pickpockets. Sengun wore one around his waist that tucked behind his belt.

Also, know where you’re going. People tend to take advantage of travelers who look lost, Meneses says. And if you’re traveling to a country that speaks a different language, try to know as much of it as possible, he suggests. Travelers can pick up phrase books with “how-tos” and facts about cultural differences.

The worst thing you can do is assume that everyone speaks English, Sengun says. The slightest effort to learn another language can improve your relationship and make you more welcome, he says.

You’ve picked a pack, thrown together the necessities and learned how to say “One beer, please,” in several different languages. Now you can kiss Mom goodbye and set out to see everything from Stonehenge to the Great Wall of China.

BOOKING A HOSTEL

Hostels and budget hotels are perfect places to meet other travelers. They’re usually less expensive than hotels, and many hostels include guest kitchens, Internet access and breakfast. When searching for a hostel, look for cleanliness, safety and location, says Stephanie Coleman, branch manager at STA Travel in the Kansas Union. These travel tips can help you find a place to crash:

• The Internet is your friend. Web sites like hostelworld.com and hostelbookers.com provide hostel searches, ratings from past guests and online reservations. STA Travel personally researches hostels on its site, Coleman says.
• Know where you’re headed. After booking your hostel, write down the directions and have a phone number handy in case you get lost. Always e-mail to confirm that the hostel has your reservation, says Kerem Sengun, Istanbul, Turkey senior.
• Check out the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to party, make sure you plan to stay somewhere without a curfew, says Kathleen Carey, Overland Park senior. She got locked out of her hostel in Barcelona late one night. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, it’s best not to stay in a hostel with a bar.