32 Top Study Abroad Packing List Items for 2023 + What NOT to Bring

What to Pack for Studying Abroad – 32 Essentials

• 1. Universal Power Adapter

  The outlets in your new dormitory or apartment will likely be different from where you are from, no matter the country. This universal adapter has dual USB ports and built-in fuse protection and should suit your needs well. It works for 100+ popular countries and is backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee.

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• 2. Jet Lag Relief

  With study abroad programs spanning the entire globe, jet lag relief will be of huge support as you adjust to your new time zone. This brand uses chamomile and other botanical herbs to fight exhaustion rather than jamming your system full of harsh stimulants like caffeine.

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• 3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

  You’ll be studying at cafes, coffee shops, libraries, and an assortment of places nearby campus. While it may seem normal to hop on public or free Wi-Fi networks, these are susceptible to hackers that can steal your passwords, credit card numbers, and private information. Anytime you surf the web in public, at hotels, Airbnbs, airports, and more – ensure you have a double layer of encryption with a virtual private network like NordVPN. It’s too affordable to ignore and even frees up access to websites that may be censored or blocked in many countries.

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• 4. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

  A towel is one of the most versatile items in your packing artillery. This one dries 10x faster than cotton and will serve you throughout your travels as a drying rag, sweat bandana, seat cover, packing cushion, and much more. It’s one of the most absorbent microfibers we’ve found and is light as a feather for packing.

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• 5. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

  Your phone will be dying quicker than usual from taking pictures, using your GPS to explore new places, and googling answers to your favorite study Qs – so it’s wise to have a backup portable charger on hand. You don’t want to end up with a dead phone when it’s time to call an Uber or use the GPS. For smartphones, cameras, and more – it holds enough juice to charge two dead phones.

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• 6. Travel Insurance for Study Abroad

  I know you’re possibly on your family insurance plan or it seems overly cautious, but things can go wrong when living abroad. Your insurance provider typically does not cover you overseas, which could mean facing outrageously expensive hospital bills and paying out-of-pocket. Travel insurance is a wise safety net because it protects you in case of flight cancelation, baggage loss, theft, international medical expenses, and other common travel issues.

  We use Faye because they are the best in the game! Most providers are like dinosaurs and make you do tons of paperwork, pleading for the money that is owed to you. Faye, on the other hand, sends you money through their mobile app and makes the claims process easy, giving you support when you need it most. Even if your parents chip in, it’s smart to spare everyone’s bank accounts from any potential emergencies!

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• 7. Windproof Travel Umbrella

  We recommend arriving to your new home prepared for whatever the elements have to offer. This windproof umbrella is compact and comes in a handy carrying case, making it perfect for on-the-go. It weighs less than one pound so you can store it in your purse or backpack.

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• 8. Snacks From Home

  Last time I went abroad, my stomach had a hard time adjusting to my new Thai diet. For the first few weeks, I desperately wanted something “normal” to snack on instead of diving headfirst into the local cuisine. In case this happens to you, bring with you some healthy granola bars, crackers, or any other simple snacks that can get you through that transition time.

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• 9. Neck Wallet

  This top-quality neck wallet will help you keep important belongings well organized and easily accessible. Having a neck wallet will be especially useful during your travels and upon your arrival while you settle in. Jet lag alone could lead to the misplacement of important documents like your passport! But this baby will discreetly hold your phone, passport, credit cards, cash, and anything else small that you want to keep covertly stashed under your clothes.

  Available on HeroTravelSupply.com with an exclusive 15% discount using the coupon code “HERO”.

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• 10. Filtered Water Bottle

  Most of Europe will have drinkable tap water, but sadly, a lot of the world does not have access to clean water. Even if bottled water is available, you don’t want to encourage that degree of plastic waste. This is why we recommend having autonomy over your water supply with this Brita filtered water bottle. It noticeably improves the taste and quality of your water (and if you need a more powerful one, the Grayl filters out bacteria, viruses, microplastics, and sediment).

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• 11. Multivitamin

  Navigating foreign pharmacies can be overwhelming! And not to mention, overpriced! Many of your recognizable products won’t be available overseas and the product selection can be completely different (and often in another language) – so pack your staples from home and stock up on vitamins, Advil, cough drops, anti-nausea meds, and cold remedies. Make sure you ask your doctor for a 6-month supply of any prescription medications before you leave as well!

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• 12. Natural Feminine Products

  It can be difficult to track down the type or brand of feminine products that you’re used to in the States. For example, in Asia, tampons are only available in big cities. If you bring a big supply with you, that’s one less thing to worry about while you’re abroad. Women also don’t always realize that many brands use bleach to make the tampon white – use these organic cotton ones that are kind to your insides instead.

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• 13. Location-Appropriate Clothing

  Do some research about the country you’re headed to. Check the weather, the dress code (if any) at your in-country school, and definitely find out what kind of clothing is culturally appropriate. It’s always a good idea to keep a multipurpose scarf on hand to cover your shoulders in case you want to wander into a cathedral in Italy, or a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.

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• 14. Packing Cubes

  These organizers come in handy when you’re trying to pack your suitcase or even a daybag. I use two of them in my big backpack for multiple-day trips for clothing (it comes with laundry bags to separate clean items and dirty ones). Plus, you can carry a couple of smaller ones for essentials or school materials, moving them from your bag to your classroom to your drawer at home.

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• 15. Walking Shoes

  There’s a lot of exploring to be done in foreign lands! You may also be doing a lot of walking if you don’t have a primary mode of transportation wherever you’ll be staying. Go easy on your feet, and bring some comfortable sneakers. Here’s a pair for men and a pair for women.

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• 16. Kindle

  Students are forced to read a lot for school, but you may enjoy a fantasy novel or recreational piece between classes. The last thing you’re going to want to pack in your overly stuffed suitcase or backpack is a bunch of heavy books. Download your travel guides and reading material that will keep you occupied at airports, on trains, and everything in between.

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• 17. Universal Waterproof Phone Case

  The world is 70% water. If you’re going anywhere near it, use this universal phone case that prevents damage by moisture, sand, or debris. For days of snorkeling in the Caribbean or playing on the beaches of France – this case converts any smartphone into an instant underwater camera (with sound!) Don’t neglect to attach a flotation strap in case anything sinks or gets too far out of reach, it will remain buoyant.

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• 18. Lightweight Backpack

  You won’t leave home without this one. A solid backpack like this can hold your computer and notebooks when you’re going to class. It will keep you organized and balance out the weight on your back, unlike a purse or laptop bag. It’s also great for weekend excursions and counts as your carry-on item for the flights!

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• 19. Luggage Locks (TSA-Approved)

  When checking your luggage at the airport – your things can be out of sight for long periods of time. We use these luggage locks to keep sticky fingers from roaming around our suitcases, backpacks, and more. They’re great for lockers and TSA-approved, so you won’t have any security hold-ups getting to your flight.

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• 20. Noise-Canceling Headphones

  A good pair of headphones will let you listen to your podcasts while your roommate is sleeping, focus during studying, and entertain you on airplanes. These are noise-canceling and not too expensive. Wearing them in the library or common areas is also the international symbol for “leave me alone! I’m studying and need my quiet time.”

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• 21. Cooling Towel

  For any warm areas, you don’t have to suffer through the balmy summers or sweat through long days outside. This cooling towel is a godsend (and slightly magical!) Simply add water and wring it out – it drops to 20-30 degrees colder than the outside temp for up to an hour. Need more frosty relief? Just add more water and enjoy it all day long.

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• 22. Hanging Toiletry Bag

  Europe and Asia are especially known for painfully small bathrooms. You likely won’t have a ton of countertop space or storage room, so bring this hanging toiletry bag to consolidate your liquid bottles. It unfolds to expose 4 giant pockets that hold your hygiene, makeup, and self-care products. It’s like a built-in shelf that can fit on any door or hook. We use ours for the whole family!

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• 23. Motion Sickness Patches

  Long flights, windy roads, and coastal excursions don’t agree with everyone’s stomachs. If you’re prone to motion or seasickness, use these patches as a preventative measure. My wife field-tested this and many similar products – like a real scientist (or maybe a guinea pig) she tried them all, so you don’t have to! This one came out on top as the most effective for fighting nausea and dizziness.

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• 24. Flash Drive

  You’ll need a flash drive to back up all of your files on a regular basis. Learn from my mistakes in school and the early days of working, I’ve lost all my files enough times to say it’s not worth it! Now I back-up everything on cloud-based storage AND a physical hard drive like this one. You never know when technology will fail you, and sometimes it’s best to have an old-fashioned contingency plan.

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• 25. Travel Sheets

  Travel sheets are a game-changer. Not only can you use them in your hostel or accommodation, but you can also put a layer of protection between you and any dirty areas. You can use these on planes, trains, and long bus rides. They’re also nice if your stay does not have any sheets or they’re below your standard of cleanliness.

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• 26. Clothesline

  Many parts of the world do not believe in air conditioning, tipping, ice in soda, OR oversized laundry and dryer machines. It can be a slight culture shock, but most global citizens prefer the classic wind-drying method with a clothesline. This travel option will be perfect for hanging fresh clothes when your house mom or hotel doesn’t have an electric dryer, it works indoors or outdoors.

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• 27. Raincoat

  Rain is a common thread between most regions. For places like London, Paris, New York, and Costa Rica, a rain jacket will serve you well. This one is very stylish and lightweight but will give you that layer of warmth while keeping you dry.

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• 28. Activated Charcoal

  Food poisoning can hit when you least expect it. Since anything from fine dining to street food and tap water can cause it – you should be overly cautious with some detoxing supplements. We always travel with these because new places are known for shaking up your digestive system and forcing you into a brief adjustment period. These activated charcoal supplements remove harmful bacteria from your body more quickly so you can feel better, faster!

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• 29. Pocket Blanket

  For picnics in the quad, backpacking, concerts, festivals (or times when you just want to hang outside for a while), a pocket-sized blanket is such a genius idea. Imagine just whipping out the perfect blanket when your group wants to stop and enjoy a sunset or watch a parade or evening show. You’ll be the MVP! This one is waterproof so your clothes won’t get wet, and it folds back up into this tiny carrying pouch.

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• 30. Journal

  Ten years from now, you’ll want to look back on your time abroad without having to scroll through Facebook or Instagram. Keeping a physical journal can help your mind process all the cool new experiences you’re having and serve as a first-hand record you can look back on down the road. Here’s one with a built-in organization system for class, and here’s a classic one for sentimental reflections.

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• 31. Thank You Note for Your Host

  If you are staying with a local family, be sure to thank them at the end of your visit with a handwritten note. There is something very special about a keepsake in your own handwriting. And if there is a language program, they would love to receive the note in their native tongue to show how far you’ve come!

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