An International Student’s Ultimate Study Abroad Packing Guide

This is the moment you have been waiting for. After months of meticulous planning, documentation, deadlines and completing various applications, you’ve finally gotten the chance to realize your dream. You’ve gotten the opportunity to study abroad. It is time to get ready, pack your bags and start dreaming of your life as an international student abroad. 

But hold on, what should you pack? You can't stuff your bag but you also know you need your essentials. Here's what you need. You need to begin by packing the essentials starting with bathroom materials like toothbrush and soap, then other essentials like your passport. One thing to take into account is the weather where you’re moving to. Is it humid? Is it cold? What season is it and what is the common dress code over there? While all of this is common knowledge, there are still some items that many international students forget to put into their suitcases when they’re about to leave their home countries to study abroad. This ultimate study abroad packing guide is here to help you pack what you need for your new life abroad. 

THE ESSENTIALS

These are items you cannot for any reason whatsoever leave behind.

• Passport and valid IDs (don’t forget photocopies of your passport and visa) just in case,
• Prescription medicines, 
• Local currencies, 
• Travel-sized toiletries, face masks, hand sanitizer (COVID-19 is still a thing), face masks,
• Power adapters or power banks,
• Textbooks and notebooks (if you have them),
• Laptop, camera (if you have one) and chargers,
• Emergency outfit (in case your luggage is delayed)
• Empty, reusable water bottle (bottled water can be very expensive in airports)

Finally, you need to have good walking shoes. As an international student in a new country, you will find yourself doing a lot of walking for the first few days and even hours in your new home. So you should have good walking shoes to navigate the city without getting uncomfortable.

CLOTHING

The type of clothes you’ll bring with you all depends on the study destination of your choice. There are various non-negotiables regardless of where you’re going such as underwear, socks, t-shirts, jeans, flip-flops (for indoors), sandals etc.

However, if you’re going to a country that’s cold/winter, here are some clothing items you’ll need:

• 1 rain/waterproof jacket
• Umbrella 
• 1 warm coat for cold weather
• 3-4 sweaters, hoodies
• Waterproof shoes 
• Warm socks (also thicker ones!)
• Jeans/ trousers 
• Long-sleeved shirts and undershirts
• Beanie and scarf

But if you’re going to a warm country, you should pack:

• A light jacket
• 2-3 sweaters or hoodies (for rainy/winter months)
• Comfortable sneakers for walking
• A pair of sandals and nice shoes
• Shorts
• Sportswear and sunglasses

One final reminder, you need to research about the culture and traditions of the country you will be studying in as an international student. Wearing culturally inappropriate clothing can land you in trouble so to avoid this, research properly. You can try to bring dual-purpose, neutral-colored clothing that you can wear anywhere without arousing attention or being uncomfortable.

ARE YOU ALL SET OR DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING?

Please keep in mind that these items are to be used as a guide. If you still have space having packed your clothes and the essentials, you can bring in other items such as basic school supplies (that aren’t essentials),

For an international student studying abroad, you need to make sure you have the essentials and not carry on way too much stuff that could slow you down and end up being a waste of time.

For example, there’s no need to bring a hairdryer, kitchen utensils or any electronic equipment that isn’t medical or necessary. The goal is to blend in and be able to walk around without difficulties because of your huge suitcases. And if you need professional guidance and assistance, we’re here for you.

Schedule a free consultation with our migration experts and we’ll make sure you pack all that you need to migrate safely and efficiently.