Congratulations! You’ve received your offer letter and visa approval, and you’re now ready to fly! All that’s left is packing, which many people find tedious!

Understandably, students want a specific list of what to bring when studying abroad, and we all get irritated when people say things like “it’s common sense.” So, we’ve put together everything we thought you could desire or need, whether studying or traveling abroad.

Choose the right kind of luggage for you.

1. Choose the right kind of luggage for you.

It’s crucial to bring the appropriate luggage – make sure your primary luggage is adaptable, easy to maneuver, and large enough to store all of your belongings. It’s ideal to use a four-wheeled stroller bag because it takes the weight off your wrist. If you’re going to acquire a backpack, aim for one with wheels for hands-free mobility.

2. Keep your stuff organized.

Here’s a checklist we’ve curated for you:

• Transfer your documents, photos, and some music for the journey to your google drive.
• Download an online messenger so you can contact your friends and family using wifi available.
• Save all essential numbers in a google doc.
• Check your flight’s weight limit and pack accordingly.

Prepare for your trip by gathering all of your necessary documents and making all of the arrangements you’ll need on the day of your arrival. 

With all of these considerations in mind, it’s time to begin packing. These general recommendations can be changed to match your needs/study abroad location, so don’t be afraid to get creative and personalize it to your specific needs.

Toiletries:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
• Lotion
• Sunscreen
• Medication 

Clothes:

• Underwear, socks
• Basic t-shirts, dresses, denims
• Bathing suit 
• Workout clothes
• Formal clothes

Electronics:

• Laptop
• Mobile
• Chargers, power bank
• Camera 
• Kindle/ e-readers

Tools that might help you:

• A small lock that you could use on zippers
• Luggage tag- something to identify your bags by

Miscellaneous things to pack:

• Student ID, driver’s license 
• Passport and visa
• Copies of all necessary documents
• Accessories/jewelry 
• Small sling bags

3. Unnecessary things that you do NOT need to pack

Now that we’ve gone over the essentials of what to bring on a study abroad trip, it’s time to go over what not to bring. Many private accommodations in Bristol, Canada, Manchester, the US, and other cities provide many supplies for the kitchen, laundry, toiletries, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to cross-check on what facilities are included in the apartment you are going to be staying at and then pack accordingly.

• Brand new clothing 

Don’t go on a buying spree, as tempting as it may be to update your clothing before going on a trip around the world. Bring garments that have been “tried and true.” There’s nothing worse than going out for a day of sightseeing only to acquire a blister 10 minutes in from those adorable, brand-new sandals. It’s okay to bring a few new things, but keep it to a minimum. Also, keep in mind to carry clothing according to the climate and the lifestyle of the place you would be travelling to.

• Hair straightener/ curling iron/ blow dryer 

You’re going to fry it. There’s no guarantee that your hair tools will survive even with a voltage converter. You’re better off leaving your pricey appliances at home and investing a few dollars in a new one while studying abroad. It’s the worst to have to go out to the shop with half-curly hair because your $200 straightener fried, so do everything you can to avoid it. Not only this, but most student housings like student accommodation in Brighton and student accommodation near UCL are inclusive of such amenities, so you don’t have to go through the headache of packing these appliances.

• Unsuitable footwear:

High heels on a cobblestoned boulevard are unquestionably the most significant difficulty in footwear abroad. You may adore the notion of looking uber stylish at that Parisian club while wearing your new stilettos, but parading down an uneven rocky pathway in those bad boys when all you want to do is to give your bed the biggest hug is a very different story.

Go for comfortable running shoes or a pair of sandals. However, you can keep that extra favourite pair of your heels for special occasions!

We can practically promise that you’ll have to discard half of what you’ve planned, so don’t leave it until the night before you go to touch your suitcase. Plus, if your zipper breaks or your bag tears while you’re packing, you’ll be pleased you took the extra effort to acquire a new one.

4. You’re all set to go!

Packing is usually the final thing you do before leaving, so you may exhale a sigh of relief after you’re done. Check out some of the articles below to help you with your study abroad planning. Now pack your baggage and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

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Author’s Bio:

Anannya is a content writer living in Delhi. As soon as the clock strikes the completion of the last working minute of the office hours, you can find her on the way to her favorite food joint, brimming with excitement to devour a plate of chicken momos. When going gets tough, you will find her falling back to her old and trustee companion, ‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’ to reboot. You could classify her as that one designated annoying friend who makes you cry if you resist her dragging you to the dance floor.