You’ve been approved to study abroad—congratulations! You probably have a million and one thoughts buzzing around in your head right now, but perhaps one of the most pressing questions is what to prepare for studying abroad. You'll be hundreds (perhaps thousands) of miles away from everyone you know and everything you're familiar with, and life will be very different in your new place of study; but there are some things you can take with you to make the transition as smooth as possible A new lifestyle abroad.
Of course, at some point, you might feel homesick - that's completely natural - and mere possessions won't alleviate that, unless you're traveling with something highly sentimental. However, there are a few things you can pack in your suitcase to help you move on to your new life.
You'll definitely be affected by your baggage weight allowance, so that's something you really need to consider unless you want to pay excess baggage fees. Additionally, you may want to leave a little space in your suitcase to store souvenirs and trinkets for family and friends. Considering the luggage allowance weight and space for souvenirs, you really don't have much room to play with. However, depending on where you're going, you may be able to find the most essential items you need for your destination. With that in mind, here’s what you need to pack when studying abroad.
1. Plug adapter
Energon Best High Quality Universal World Travel Adapter Charger Plug, $19.99, amazon.com
It goes without saying that you'll need to power your electronic devices while abroad, so bring an adapter that works with the plugs in your country and the plug sockets in your destination country.
2.Unlocked phone
Don't forget to bring an unlocked, contract-free phone with you when traveling, otherwise you could risk a hefty bill or, worse, not be able to use your phone when you arrive at your destination. If you plan to keep in touch with friends and family back home on a regular basis, make sure your phone isn't connected to any network in your country and can use a "foreign" SIM card.
3. Ultralight Laptop
Rose gold MacBook, starting at $1,299, apple.com
If you don't already own a lightweight laptop, now might be the time to invest in one. There are some great options, but as an Apple girl through and through, I would personally go with the MacBook Air or the new MacBook which weighs only 2.03 pounds!
4. Cold hard cash for emergencies
Even though your main source of funds while studying abroad is likely to be a credit card, carry some emergency cash in both your home currency and the currency of the country you'll be studying in. This way you can be prepared for any situation. possibility.
5. Organize paperwork
What I mean by “organized” paperwork is important documents stored in separate, specific wallets so that you know exactly where they are at any given moment.
6. Family photos
Take some photos with Polaroid before you go so you can capture photos of your loved ones (and pets). Polaroids can also be a great way to decorate a new room if you can stick something on the wall.
7. First aid kit
You can call me cautious, but you just never know what to expect when traveling. Hopefully nothing goes wrong, but at least if you have a first aid kit you'll know you're prepared for any situation.
8. Your drug of choice
Different medicines suit different people; you might be a homeopathic girl, or prefer ibuprofen to paracetamol. You may even be allergic to certain types of medications. You may not be able to get your preferred brand of medication at your study location, so bring a few packs just in case. If you take prescription medications, make sure you take enough while you are abroad in case the same medications are not available where you are going.
9. e-book reader
Instead of lugging your textbook halfway around the world, invest in an e-book reader or tablet to easily access recommended reading.
10. Capsule Wardrobe
Led by organizational experts like Marie Kondo, minimalism has become a craze in the fashion and lifestyle world. If you really think about it, I bet you don't wear every item in your closet on a regular basis - I know I have some items hanging in my closet that I haven't worn in years. Before you study abroad, build yourself a small capsule wardrobe with only the bare minimum of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Whatever you keep at home, you may find that you don't miss anything, and if you do miss something, you can buy a replacement in the country where you will be studying.
11. Your favorite shelf-life food
You may find that your favorite snacks and treats are unavailable while abroad. So you might want to make room in your suitcase for a few essentials that you know you'll seriously miss - this might include your favorite junk food or even condiments.
Be sure to bring these essentials with you when you head out of the country, and you should be able to pick up anything else you might need when you get there!
Images: Alexas_Fotos (1), Hans (2), aloisiocostalatge (1), Unsplash (2), Wokandapix (1), katyveldhorst (1) /Pixabay; Andrew Pons (1), Jacob Owens (1 ) /Unsplash;Courtesy Brand(2)
