The Ultimate Guide to Your Study Abroad Packing List (10 Essential Items!)

@cieestudyabroad Pack your bags! It’s almost time for your study abroad adventure #cieestudyabroad #studyabroad #internationalstudent #packing #packinglist #packingessentials #studyabroadtips #greenscreen love triangles – Happy Trees

Packing your life into a few bags for an adventure abroad can feel overwhelming, especially since you’re packing for the next several weeks (or even months) ahead. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got your study abroad packing list covered! 

Whether you’re looking for a packing list for overseas travel, a list of study abroad essentials, or wondering how many clothes to pack for study abroad, our ultimate study abroad packing guide will certainly help you get ready! Packing for your study abroad adventure will be a breeze if you include our list of essential items in your luggage. 

Your study abroad packing list should have the following items:

1. Passport

2. Requisite Visa

3. Power Adapters and Converters

4. Prescription Medicine

5. Currency

6. Comfortable Walking Shoes

7. Essential Travel-sized Toiletries

8. School Supplies

9. Face Masks

10. A Large Suitcase

Your passport is the ticket to your dream study abroad destination. Don’t forget it and certainly don’t lose it. Actually, it’s a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport just in case the original gets lost or stolen.  

Tip: If you do lose your passport, the U.S. consulate can help you get a new one, but photocopies of the original make the process much easier. 

You may need a visa, too, depending on the country you’re visiting. As with your passport, it’s a really good idea to have a photocopy of your original visa in case something happens. Better safe than sorry! 

Read more: What to Pack When Studying Abroad in Europe

Each country has its own kind of power outlet and adapter, and there’s a good chance your home chargers won’t work. With most essential items (phones, laptops, etc.) being electronic, you don’t want to run out of power!  

Verify which plugs and voltage are used in the country (or countries) you’ll be visiting, and purchase the necessary adapters and/or converters in advance of your trip so you don’t risk running out of power. Being without Google Maps in a new country? No thank you! Powered-up tech is a critical study abroad essential. 

If you take prescription medications, make sure you have enough with you to cover the length of your trip. Most doctors will be able to help you get the amount you need.  

If there’s a chance you run out while abroad, be sure to have a copy of your prescription to show local doctors. Also, remember to pack any medication in your carry-on, just in case your luggage gets delayed or lost in transit. 

Read more: Top 18 Study Abroad Tips

Nowadays, many U.S. banks make it easy to convert to foreign currencies with a credit or debit card. Still, it’s always a good idea to carry petty cash with you in the event of an emergency. You can never be too prepared! 

Traveling to a new city means you’ll be doing lots of walking! Wherever you go, you’ll likely be spending the majority of your time commuting or exploring on foot, so be sure to invest in high-quality walking shoes that can withstand all-day wear and tear. Aim for comfort and avoid flip flops (trust us on this). 

EXPLORE PROGRAMS

Some toiletries are more essential than others. While you can probably buy most essentials in the country you’re traveling to, it’s best to have some with you so you don’t have to worry about the basics, like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste to cover you during your first few days abroad.  

Most students take notes on laptops or tablets, but we advise you still bring an extra notebook and pencil or pen just in case. Or, if you do like taking notes by hand, be sure to bring your favorite school supplies with you!  

Though foreign countries will have these on hand, it’s easier – and sometimes cheaper – to bring them with you. Adding a few traditional school supplies to your study abroad packing checklist now means you’ll save your spending money for the fun stuff later. 

Travel is back on, but COVID has not yet backed down completely. Check the mask mandates of the countries you’ll be visiting. Even if masks aren’t required, it’s always a good idea to bring a few with you just in case. The same goes for hand sanitizer. No one wants to spend their study abroad sick. Stay healthy! 

We hinted at this earlier, but bring a suitcase with extra room (make that extra, extra room). Or, consider bringing an empty suitcase. No doubt, you will find more than a few treasures you’ll want to buy and bring home with you. Make sure you have the space to accommodate souvenirs! 

Last but not least, make sure you have quick access to all your program contacts, including names, numbers, and the street address of your CIEE study center. It’s often helpful to keep your street address written in the local language for taxis or in case you get lost. We recommend having this information stored in your phone and on a hard copy somewhere.