Study Abroad Packing List
Created for Students by Students
Standard Items
Passport
Plane tickets
Prescriptions – Bring enough for length of stay. If longer than three months, you will need to see
a doctor abroad to re-prescribe. Speak with your doctor before you leave – prescriptions cannot
be transferred.
Student ID (for discounted admissions)
Backpack
Daypack/fanny pack – for day excursions
Glasses/contact lenses – bring extra
Gifts – It is nice to have a small gift from your home state for your host family
Vitamins – Difficult to find – selection and variety limited.
Pens, pencils, notebooks
Dictionary – for language you are studying. Cheaper to bring from the United States.
Flash drive
Pillow case – useful if staying in hostels
Hydro towel – compact towel, good for traveling
Sheet sleeping sack – Compact sheet sack – great for use in hostels
Folding umbrella
Water bottle – They are hard to find in Europe. You cannot carry aluminum on a plane).
Brown lunch bags/lunchbox – optional – impossible to find abroad
Books – bring one for entertainment
Wash cloths
Sunglasses
Journal – journal your experiences
Watch
Clothes – Bring clothes that are easily layers for various climate conditions, do not need
ironing, can be drip-dried, and are comfortable and durable. Check your program for
special dress requirements.
Jeans – A few pairs. Levi’s are very expensive abroad.
Hoodie/Sweaters
Pajamas – two pair at most
Socks/underwear – enough to get by two weeks.
Swimsuit
Workout clothes – just one set
Light jacket – water resistant is preferable
Nice outfits – A few pairs of dress pants and nice tops that can mix and match are ideal.
Accessories – A few accessories always help. Don’t overdo it.
Scarves
Flip flops – Good for showering in hostels. One pair is enough.
Walking shoes – Find a comfy fashionable shoe – walking is a major part of everyday life.
Running shoes – Good to have is you join a gym or enjoy running outdoors
Purse – No more than two.
Money belt
Toiletries –Do not bring hair straighter/blow dryer-American product use a lot of power
and can fry circuits.
Hair brush/comb
Toothbrush
Deodorant
Razors
Hand sanitizer
Portable Kleenex
Contact lenses solution
Sunblock/Suntan lotion
Makeup
Money
Cash – for the trip from the United States to your destination. Keep in safe place/money belt.
Credit cards – Notify bank/credit card companies that you are going abroad. Not all credit cards
will work in train stations/stores abroad. Consider using a card with a special chip imbedded or
bringing a Travelex card.
Travelex card – can be obtained through the Travelex website, in most international
airport/major train stations, small banks, and credit unions.
ATM card – take note of the international fees charged by both your bank and the ATM.
Consider withdrawing larger amount of cash at a time and storing in a safe place.
Luggage
Carry-on luggage – Check your airline – usually you are allowed one carry-on size bag as well
as a personal item, such as a laptop bag, purse, etc. Some airlines charge for a second
checked bag. Pack a few outfits in the carryon in case your luggage arrives after you do.
Toiletries in your carryon – All must fit in a quart-size bag and be 3.4 ounces or less.
Electronics
Laptop Computer – Buy a converter for power supply
Camera – Memory cards, chargers and adapters
Headphones – It is nice to have a good pair that cancels out the sound.
Power strip with converter
Cell phone – Your cell phone will not work abroad, unless you can buy a SIM card faring cell
phone. A cheap cell phone can be purchased abroad – pay by the minute. Ask your onsite
program coordinator to take you to the local phone store.
Contact Abroad
Electronics – For major American phone companies, texting and calling rates are extremely
expensive. Use text messaging when contacting family members abroad through free apps that
work through the Wi-Fi.
Google Voice – Get a Gmail account. You can set up Google Voice from Google to calltext
family member for free while abroad. Registering in the United States is free while registering
abroad is not.
Skype – Skype is a great free way to talk and see your family> download the application and
keep in touch with your friends back home as well as those you make abroad.
Travel
Trains – Buying train tickets is similar to buying plane tickets. The further in advance you buy
them the cheaper they are. Consider planning your trips at least a month in advance.
Rick Steves’ Europe – Useful traveling advice. Book and website www.ricksteves.com.
Ryan Air/Easy Jet – Cheap plane tickets in Euope. Buy in advance to save more.
