Ultimate Study Abroad Packing Guide | Best Abroad Consultants

Preparing for your study abroad journey requires thoughtful planning to ensure a smooth experience. A well-organized packing checklist helps you stay prepared, comfortable, and ready to embrace new adventures while avoiding unnecessary stress. For expert guidance, consult the best study abroad consultants to simplify your travel and packing process.

• It’s important to bring photocopies of important documents such as your passport, travel insurance, and required visa, just in case the originals get stolen.
• Dress according to the region, weather conditions, and country’s cultural norms. Do your research! Don’t show up in leggings and a crop top, if the locals are in rain boots and modest clothing.
• Be strategic about what you bring with you abroad, and don’t forget to leave some extra space in your bag for all the cool, new souvenirs you’ll be bringing back home.

Steps to Pack the Right Essentials when going abroad

Step 1: Choose your Luggage Bag

When choosing a luggage bag, consider factors such as the duration of your stay, the type of activities you’ll be engaging in, and the transportation modes you’ll use. Additionally, make sure your luggage meets airline size and weight restrictions if you plan on flying. Choose a bag that aligns with your travel style and preferences to ensure a comfortable and stress-free study abroad experience.

Step 2: Organize Before Packing

Create a checklist

Make a comprehensive checklist of all the items you need, including documents, clothing, toiletries, electronics, and any specific items required for your destination.

Research your destination

Check the weather forecast and cultural norms of your destination to pack accordingly. Investigate if there are any restrictions on certain items or clothing in your destination.

Gather Important documents

• Collect all necessary documents such as passport, visa, ID, acceptance letters, and any medical records.
• Make photocopies of important documents and store them separately from the originals.

Medical Preparations

• Schedule any necessary vaccinations or health check-ups before your departure.
• Pack a small first aid kit with essential medications, pain relievers, and any prescription drugs you may need.

Secure Finances

• Notify your bank about your travel dates and destination.
• Consider having some local currency, and carrying a mix of cash and cards for different situations.

Technology Check

• Make sure your electronics are in working order.
• Back up important files on your laptop and make digital copies of important documents.   

Packing Supplies

Gather all necessary packing supplies, such as luggage, packing cubes, travel-sized containers, and zip-lock bags.

Clothing Selection

• Lay out the clothing you plan to take. Consider the weather, activities, and any specific dress codes.
• Ensure you have a mix of casual and formal wear.

Label your Luggage

Put a luggage tag with your name, contact information, and destination address on each bag.

Check Baggage regulations

Ensure your luggage complies with airline baggage regulations to avoid any issues at the airport.

Step 3: Separate the Items for Checked-in and Carry-on Luggage

It is important to understand there is a difference in the items for checked-in and carry-on luggage. Several items cannot be carried in the checked-in baggage and vice versa. Hence, the baggage restrictions should be read correctly to avoid any misunderstanding.

Carry-on luggage should have the following items on the packing list of Indian students going abroad:
Currency of the host country, important documents, Phones, chargers, and other gadgets, Prescription medicines, and the rest of the things should be packed in checked-in baggage.

Important Packing Checklist

1. Travel Documents

• Passport and visa documents: Ensure they are valid for the entire duration of your stay.
• Travel insurance: Including health coverage.
• Flight tickets and itinerary: Print copies and have digital backups.
• Academic documents: Acceptance letter, enrollment confirmation, and any other relevant paperwork.
• Money: Notify your bank of your travel dates, and have a mix of cash and cards.
• Important contact information: Emergency contacts, local embassy, and key university contacts.
• Prescriptions and medical records: Bring enough medication for your stay and a copy of your medical history.

2. Clothes

Check the weather and culture prevalent in the country you are moving to and pack your clothes accordingly. Depending on the country that you’re traveling to according to their weather conditions you have to set your clothes.

• Weather-appropriate clothing: Consider the climate of your destination.
• Formal attire: Depending on academic or social events.
• Comfortable walking shoes: Especially if you plan on exploring.
• Swimwear: If applicable.

3. Medicines

If the student is undergoing any treatment, they must carry the prescribed medicine with them in enough quantity. Carry the doctor’s prescription, too, in case you run out of doses.

It would be best if you also take general medicines for headaches, colds & coughs. Ensure that the brand you use is legal in the country you are moving to. A few medications that should be included in the packing list for Indian students going abroad:

• Paracetamol
• Antacids
• Painkillers
• Anti-allergies
• Antiseptic
• Bandages
• Cough syrup
• Dettol

4. Local Currency

Keeping the country’s local currency handy when you are traveling is essential. Getting local currency from foreign exchange centers, airport kiosks, and currency exchange offices is effortless and avoids the trouble related to fake currencies. Carry enough cash for easy access to necessities and expenses on the way.

5. Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are essential today. One cannot travel without gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, headphones, and tablets. However, the most essential thing would be a universal adapter. This is because the outlets in hostels, accommodation, and dormitories will not be the same as at home. It is better to purchase beforehand, as it will be difficult to locate anything as soon as you move to a new country. Here are some of the other essential electric gadgets that should be carried along:

• Laptop and charger: Check voltage requirements for your destination.
• Power adapter/converter: This is used to charge your devices in different electrical outlets.
• Smartphone and charger: With relevant apps installed for communication and navigation.
• External hard drive/USB drive: For backing up important documents.

6. Personal and Health Care

Do not carry hair styling gadgets in your carry-on luggage. It is better to avoid hair styling gadgets because they consume a lot of power and electricity can be too costly in foreign countries. Some of the essentials you can carry in this segment:

• Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.
• First aid kit: Bandages, pain relievers, and any prescription medications.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent: Depending on your destination.
• Travel-sized laundry detergent: In case you need to do laundry.

7. Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous items are not essentials. It is up to the students to choose whether to include them or not. Some of them are:

• Travel pillow and blanket: Useful for long flights or bus rides.
• Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated on the go.
• Backpack or daypack: For day trips and carrying essentials.
• Language dictionary/phrasebook: Helpful for navigating a new language.

For more personalized packing tips and expert guidance, consult overseas education consultants to make your study abroad journey hassle-free.

Before Leaving Home, Do the Below

• Check the passport’s expiry date
• Arrange a contact number for the new country
• Create a new email address
• Photocopy of all essential documents
• Communication with the respective educational institutions
• Fully charged batteries for phone, camera, and laptop

Things Not to Carry While Traveling Abroad

Airlines have specific rules and regulations about the items one can carry in their check-in and carry-on luggage. Furthermore, several countries also have many products banned. Thus, several things should not be carried out for a hassle-free traveling experience. Below is the list of some of the items that should not be carried while traveling abroad:

Heavy Bottles of Liquid, Books, Snacks, Jewelry.

How to Resist the Urge to Overpack

When packing, we tend to overpack and stuff our luggage bags with things we may never use during our stay. To decide what items to carry while traveling abroad, one can try the following tricks:

• Packing beforehand – Start planning and setting aside all the things you will need, as it will help you easily figure out what you may or may not need.
• Do your research – To avoid overpacking the stuff, you can talk with other Indian students already studying abroad. They can give you helpful guidance and tricks on what can be carried in the host country.
• Remove irrelevant items – You must avoid packing heavy items that may not be necessary. Instead, you should make a list and stick to it.

Preparing a packing list before moving abroad is an extensive process. Students should focus on their primary objective—studies—and plan accordingly. A well-organized packing list helps manage essentials and documents efficiently, especially for students heading to renowned universities in Ireland, the UK, Germany, and other parts of Europe for a rewarding educational experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much luggage is allowed on international flights for students?

A. For international flights, students are allowed to carry 2 to 3 pieces of baggage weighing 23 kg each. Some airlines may allow extra baggage allowance for students traveling abroad.

2. What is the checklist for studying overseas?

A. Important documents (passport, visa, itinerary, plane tickets, ISIC card, etc.) Outlet adapter. Sunglasses/ extra eyeglasses/ contacts. Cell phone (you probably won’t be able to use it in your host country, but it’s invaluable if you’re stuck in domestic airports and need to contact someone for delayed flights, etc.

3. How early should I pack for study abroad?

A. We’ll explain how to practice minimalism for your study abroad experience! While you may think you have plenty of time, it’s best to start packing at least a week or two in advance to ensure you have everything you need (and to have more time to reorganize).

4. How do I pack for international travel?

A. Your passport, Student visa, Travel-sized toiletries, Any medications or vitamins you need, Sunscreen and bug spray, Headphones, chargers, adaptors, Translating device, Earplugs, and eye mask

5. What is not allowed in baggage?

A. Flammable items: Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities), fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel), petrol, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike anywhere matches, turpentine, paint thinner, spray paint, camphor, and realistic replicas of explosives and incendiaries.