Below is a sample list to use as a guide when you pack. Please remember this is only a guide and items will vary according to culture, climate, and personal taste.
Essential Items
- Passport
- Tickets
- Money
- Debit and credit cards
- Photocopies of all travel documents, prescriptions, etc. (scan and save copies to a cloud service like Google Drive)
- Arrival information sent by your study away program or host institution
- Personal sanitizing supplies (hand sanitizer, wipes, etc)
- Prescription medicine/s
- A supply for your entire stay, along with a copy of your prescription and an explanation why the drug is required
- Health Insurance cards
Clothing
- Pants
- A couple of dressier outfits
- Shirts
- Pajamas
- Sweatshirt and sweatpants
- Sweaters
- Socks and underwear
- Walking shoes
- Pair of very comfortable casual to nice shoes
- Flip flops for the beach or shower
- Swimsuit
- Jacket
- Winter clothes (depending on location)
Toiletries
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, soap, deodorant (a small supply—you can purchase these items once you arrive)
- Thermometer
- Comb, brush
- Lip balm
- Towel
- Non-prescription medications that you normally take
- Cosmetics
- Contact lens solution
- Insect repellent (if applicable)
- Menstrual products—tampons can be hard to find in certain countries
Accessories
- Laptop computer
- Laptop cable lock or other securing device
- Sewing kit, safety pins, sunglasses
- Camera, memory cards, shoulder-strap camera case
- Travel guides, phrasebooks, foreign language dictionary
- Voltage converter and/or adaptor plugs
- Money belt or neck passport pouch
- Shoulder bag or day pack for short day trips
- Gift items for host families
- Photos of your home, family, and friends to share
- Bicycle lock and chain (for chaining your backpack or suitcase to the overhead baggage rail on trains and buses when traveling overnight)
Packing tips
You will be able to buy many of the things you need in your host country. However, for the items you choose to bring from home, you would be wise to consider the following tips:
- Do not pack valuables in your checked luggage!
- Put address labels and contact information inside and outside each piece of luggage.
- Pack medications in their original containers in your carry-on luggage
- Pack all sharp objects in your checked luggage!
- Bring items that are lightweight, drip dry, and wrinkle-proof such as knits, permanent press, and cotton. Easy care items are essential.
- Dark colors are more practical than light colors, as they do not show dirt as easily.
- To give your wardrobe more variety without weighing down your suitcase, consider taking items that are interchangeable.
- Do not take any clothing that you would hate to ruin or leave behind.
- Do not take clothes that you may wear only once or twice.
- Carry all liquids in plastic bags in case leakage or spillage occurs in route. Consider the current airline liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage when packing.
- By rolling your clothing instead of folding, you will be able to fit more in your bag, everything can be seen at a glance, and there are fewer wrinkles.
- You should also pack according to the probability of use, especially if you will be “living out of a suitcase” for several days before settling in.
- Have TSA-approved locks on all your baggage pieces (be prepared to take them off during security inspections).
