You’ve got your student visa to study abroad, have aced the local language of the country you will be studying in, and are all set for your abroad learning adventure. The next step is probably to pack your entire life in a suitcase and leave for an unknown country for the next few years. It might seem daunting but is more an adventure that will forever stay with you. Don’t worry, we have got your back! In this blog, we have listed everything that you must know and do while packing to study abroad.
Essential items you must pack
There are certain non-negotiable items that you need to pack no matter what. Some of them are listed below:
1. Important documents
To make your abroad education journey hassle-free here is a list of documents you should keep with yourself at all times:
- Original passport along with a few photocopies
- Your passport-size photos
- Printed copies of your student visa
- Photocopy of your birth certificate
- FBI background checks
- Electronic travel authorization
- Local and international driver’s license (if you have one)
- Housing contract
- University enrollment confirmation, program verification, or acceptance letter
- University transcripts
- Medical and travel insurance proof
- List of emergency contacts
- Phone numbers and email address of embassy or consulate
- Copy of your medical records, vaccination certificate,s, and other relevant health records.
- Bank statements
- Itenary details of your travel (arrival hotel details, flight tickets, etc)
Upload all these documents to your cloud storage for backup, in case your luggage gets stolen. Put your passport and visa in a separate section of your luggage where it is easily accessible.
2. Medicines and first aid kit
Pack in the essential medicines you might need for common health issues (gastric, common cold, cramps), bandages in different sizes, wound dressings in multiple sizes, medical tape, antibacterial wipes, tweezers, cotton swabs, cotton wool, and other essential first aid items. If you take prescription medicines, carry your local doctor’s prescription and keep copies of your medical insurance in your first aid kit as well.
3. Local currency
Though you have your credit and debit cards, it is always a good idea to carry some foreign cash and traveller’s checks in your wallet for emergencies.
4. Basic toiletries
Always have these essential toiletries with you:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Body wash/soap
- Sanitary/ other hygiene items like razors, clippers
- Hair comb
- Deodorant
Try to carry reusable and sustainable versions of these items to minimize wastage.
5. Power converter and adapter
Every country uses different electricity voltages so check what type of plug and voltage is used in the country you will be travelling to. Carry power adapters and converters with you accordingly. Also, carry a good quality portable power bank for emergencies.
6. School supplies
Professors in different colleges often recommend a set of school materials for their students to carry. Go through your syllabus and talk with your study abroad coordinator to make a list of school supplies you need to pack for each course.
7. Clothes
The one thing most students go wrong with their packing is going overboard with clothing. Follow these tips so that you do not end up wasting unnecessary luggage space:
8. Pack clothes as per the dominant season of the country you are travelling to
For warmer destinations, carry light, breathable fabrics. For colder destinations, pack thin insulating base layers, full-sleeved shirts (made of warmer materials), and lightweight jackets rather than bulky sweaters and hoodies. You can even carry a beanie, gloves, water-resistant shoes with anti-slip soles (in case you are going to a snowy country), and two to three pairs of woollen socks.
9. Carry basic clothes you can mix and match.
Focus on packing basic shirts, bodysuits, blouses, and bottoms in neutral shades that you can easily mix and match and wear on an everyday basis. Do not go for large prints, jumpsuits, co-ords, or extravagant dresses you are much less likely to repeat. You can carry a few for special occasions. Remember that you can always use the laundry so do not carry more innerwear garments than required.
10. Pack the right kind of shoes.
Do not give in to your urge to carry almost every pair of shoes you possess. Carry a maximum of four pairs of shoes belonging to these four categories:
- Flip-flops for everyday activities
- Waterproof boots for extracurricular activities
- A pair of comfortable walking shoes
- A comparatively nicer pair for special occasions
Carry a separate bag for your shoes, and try to go for versatile shoes that you can wear in class, but also for a birthday party.
11. Prioritize comfort over fashion.
Always pack clothes and shoes you will feel comfortable in for every kind of activity rather than trying to be a fashion icon. Remember that you are going to study abroad, which means you will be participating in extracurriculars and studying in libraries for long hours.
12. Respect local culture
Be familiar with the culture and dressing norms of the public in the country you are travelling to. Do not carry clothing that violates any modesty norms.
Miscellaneous items you might carry with you
Apart from all the essentials listed above, you can also carry these items if you wish to for convenience and saving on some extra bucks:
- Small padlocks for your luggage or hostel lockers
- A compact backpack for your college excursions
- An E-reader device (if you are an avid reader, do not waste luggage space with physical books)
- A few essential grooming items
- Sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Coffee tumbler and instant coffee sachets (or tea leaves or powdered form of any other beverage you like)
- A memory from your home
- Contraceptives
Items you should not carry
Here are some items that you might consider leaving back at home to pack efficiently:
- Do not be tempted to fit as many grocery items as you can into your luggage. Carrying some light munchies is fine, but avoid carrying heavy food items or liquids.
- Apart from your smartphone and laptop, try to avoid carrying any other electronics since they will make your luggage unnecessarily heavy. Especially, avoid carrying a flat iron, hair dryer, electric razor,
- or electric toothbrush. They are more prone to getting burnt at a different voltage.
- Do not carry luxury items or anything culturally inappropriate.
- Avoid tucking bedding items into your luggage to save space.
Additional packing tips
- Pack a weatherproof jacket and headgear rather than an umbrella to save luggage space.
- Use packing cubes and travel organizers to sort out different items in different sections.
- Wrap your shoes in shower caps to prevent your clothes from getting dirty.
- Use binder clips to
- ing chargers and sealing opened snacks.
- Pack your liquids in leak-proof containers.
- Wear heavier clothing items instead of packing.
- Pack your belts and socks inside your shoes.
- Roll thin clothes rather than folding them so, that they take up less space and do not wrinkle.
Packing everything you might need to sustain for two to three years in a foreign country can seem too overwhelming. If you remember all the essentials and packing hacks discussed above, you can be entirely stress-free about your journey to a new academic adventure.