Study Abroad Packing List [ Students ]

Study Abroad Packing List

If you’re studying abroad this semester, you’re about to face the ultimate challenge before you even board the plane: packing everything you need to live in a different country for four months in one suitcase. You may feel a bit panicked as you wonder what to bring, what to leave and what’s actually essential.

Take a deep breath, collegiettes—we’re here to help. Before you rush to the airport, use this checklist to ensure that you have everything you need in your new home away from home.

NOTE: This list of other items has been constructed according to the personal experiences of people who have come here. So, may be some important items are missing or are inadequately specified. Hence, personal discretion is highly recommended.

Contents:

Carry-on Luggage
Checked Baggage
Other Things to Bring
What to Buy When You Get There
Relevant Questions
Checklist
What should I bring from INDIA ?

Students who have studied abroad suggest packing certain items in a carry–on, and putting other items in checked baggage. Below are a few recommendations of what to pack where, what to leave behind, and what to buy when you get there:

1. Carry–on Luggage

A note about carry–on items: Most commercial airlines now have new regulations regarding what you can and cannot pack in your carry–on luggage. Sharp items like razors, knives, and nail files are banned in carry–on luggage on most flights. For more information, please see the Duties, Customs, and Airport Security section of this Handbook.

In general, there are some very important items you will NOT want to pack in your checked baggage; rather, you will want to have them handy at all times and packed in your carry–on bag. These items are:

Passport
Visa
Tickets
Prescription medicine
Glasses
Money (For taxi rides to and from airports, phone calls, emergencies, etc...)
Other official documentation

You may also want to have a few personal items in your carry–on in order to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Consider including items like a water bottle, a book, a toothbrush/toothpaste and a change of clothes and underwear in case of flight delay/cancellation.

2. Checked Baggage

Less is more. Although just about everyone will caution you to pack light, packing can be a very personal process. Packing can be especially challenging if you plan to stay abroad for a relatively long time. You want to have as many comforts in the country of your choice as you have at home, yet you know you can't bring everything with you. Also, part of the reason you are going abroad is to get out of your comfort zone and away from home; therefore, you will have to prepare to make do with fewer things.

Not only does your airline have a baggage limit, but also you will have a space limit at your residence in the country of your choice. When you travel, you probably won't want to lug around, or pay to store, all the stuff you've brought with you. You are most likely going to acquire things in the country of your choice, including souvenirs, clothes, gifts, etc... You will need some extra packing space in order to fit in these newly acquired items.

Don't be a packing procrastinator. Packing for a semester abroad in the country of your choice a couple hours before your flight just isn't a smart idea. Packing takes planning, and you will most likely pack and re–pack a number of times before you're satisfied (and before you can cram everything into your bags so they shut properly!)

3. Other Things to Bring

In addition to the regular necessities like underwear, clothes and shoes, you may also need a few other things. The following is a list of items you may not have thought you needed or wanted to take with you. See if you forgot to pack any of the following:

Proof of Insurance
Doctor's Note (proving you're free from certain diseases; may be required for entry into the country of your choice)
Student I.D. Card (good for discounts too)
Money Belt
Backpack (for class and for day–trips)
Sleeping Bag (for camping or hostel stays)
Pocket Knife (don't put this in your carry–on!)
Camera/Journal
Prescriptions (translated)
A Few Family Photos (so you don't get homesick)
Dress set of clothes (just in case you go somewhere fancy)
Gift (it may be appropriate to bring your host family a simple gift from home)
An inventory list of the items you packed in your checked baggage, in case you need to make an insurance claim on lost luggage
Identification tags with your contact information on them, attached both outside and inside your checked bags and carry–on bags

4. What to Buy When You Get There

Not having to worry about certain items spilling or breaking, and not packing certain items saves space. You could buy many inexpensive items when you arrive in the country of your choice rather than pack them. Consider buying items like shampoo, soap, sheets, towels, an umbrella and film in the country of your choice.

5. Relevant Questions

Have you researched the weather conditions over various seasons in the region of the country of your choice where you will be?
Did you remember to pack all important travel documents in your carry–on, not your checked bags?
Have you considered which, and made a list of, items not to take because you can buy them when you get there?
Have you packed as lightly as possible, remembering to roll instead of fold your clothes?
Did you make an itemized list of everything you packed in your suitcases in case they are lost or stolen and you need to make an insurance claim?
Do you know how much luggage your airline allows you to check and to take on board your flight?
What are you planning to ship, and is it cheaper to pay for excess airline baggage rather than ship?
If you have decided to ship some items, who have you contacted in the country of your choice to insure pick–up and/or payment for these items upon arrival?

6. Checklist

I know how much luggage my airline allows me to check and to take on board my flight.
I know what my airline permits me to carry in my carry–ons.
I have researched the weather conditions over various seasons in the region of the country of your choice where I will be.
I remembered to pack all important travel documents in my carry–on, not my checked bags.
I made a list of items I intend to purchase once I arrive in the country of your choice, rather than pack them.
I made an itemized list of everything I packed in my suitcases in case they are lost or stolen and I need to make an insurance claim.
If I have decided to ship some items, I have contacted someone in the country of your choice to insure pick–up and/or payment for these items upon arrival.

7. What should I bring from INDIA?

Books are the first priority. The list of books, being huge, is not provided here. Select the courses you are planning to take and find the corresponding books for those courses. If you don't find the books corresponding to the courses that you intend to take then you may request some of the ISA members from your department for help. Please do not ask ISA about courses you may take.

You are advised to have the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) injection, and get a certificate if possible for all the vaccinations you had when you were a child. Hepatitis-B vaccinations are also advised, but it takes 3 injections over 6 months. Consult your doctor on all this.

Medicines are pretty costly here. Do get some medicines from home, especially if you have some known problem. Get proper prescription for those medicines you bring along. Its very important as you might be asked at the airport and plus try and get a small note as to what medicine to take for what illness.