What to pack?

Being organised when you are packing will save you a lot of time and hassle in your new country. It is also good to know what you need to bring from home, or what you can buy in your new town.

Before you leave

Before you even drag out the suitcase, let’s review this checklist

• Load copies of documents, photos, and some music to cloud storage.
• Save all important contact details and information in a Google document.
• Check your flight’s weight restrictions, entertainment and food facilities.
• Pre-arrange for your airport pick-ups and drops in home and host country both.
• Download a messenger or online calling app so you can contact your family and friends using available Wi-Fi.
• Add something to make your luggage identifiable.

Once you are done with your preliminary checks, let’s get packing. We start with your carry bag first:

• Keep your passport, visa and enrolment letter handy.
• Once you get your boarding pass, keep that safe in your carry bag.
• Keep some currency of the host country.
• It’s a good idea to have a journal and pen ready for documenting experiences.
• Keep your prescription medicines, if any.
• Ensure that your phone, charger and other gadgets like cameras and batteries are in hand bag.
• One or two pair of clothes, in case your luggage is delayed.
• A book or e-reader for the journey. Also, keep your headphones.
• Face wipes, gum, hand sanitiser, travel pillow and itinerary.
• Keep your reading glasses and sun glasses.
• Mittens and cap if you are going to a colder country.

Now, let’s move on to the checked luggage:

• A copy of all your important documents.
• Toiletries including contact lenses, solutions, and/or feminine products.
• Appropriate clothes according to the weather in the host country.
• A handy first- aid.
• Souvenirs for the host family, if you are staying with one.
• Umbrella for sun/rain.
• Shoes- running, flip flops and college wear.
• Extra money for emergencies.
• A language dictionary.
• Any books that you might require for your studies.

Remember, some things are best left at home, so to avoid wasting your money or issues with customs, make sure you don’t pack any of the following.

• Spices or plant products.
• Stationery, you can buy that locally.
• A lot of cash. Bring only what you might need, and some emergency cash.
• Pirated goods or movies.
• Anything that might be considered as a weapon.

It’s a good idea to always check for the list of banned and restricted items on the official website of your airlines in order to avoid any form of conflict at the airport.

By the way, you can download an extensive list of what to pack and what to not here.