The joy of receiving an admission confirmation from your dream college is huge; however, the next step, preparing a packing list, can be daunting.
While it can be overwhelming to carefully pick what to carry along and what to avoid, choosing wisely and having a practical approach toward the utility of items can prove beneficial. The packing list for Indian students abroad can be exhaustive, but carefully analyzing your basic needs can take you a long way.
It takes more than common sense to figure out everything to carry while traveling abroad. Leaving a country and settling abroad for some years is not easy.
A pre-departure shopping list for students going to Canada, the UK, or any other country is very important; every international student must pay attention to this. So, make your study abroad experience hassle-free with our comprehensive packing list.
What are First Steps in Preparing for International Education Journey?
Given below are the steps to begin with while preparing for an international education journey:
Selecting the Ideal Overseas Study Program: The selection is motivated by your educational alternatives, professional aspirations, and which country you prefer. Investigating the courses provided, the colleges, and the usual training modules in your selected subject critical.
Financial Preparation for Overseas Study: Start by calculating the expenses for training, housing, day-by-day dwelling, journey, medical insurance, and other miscellaneous fees. Look into many financial aspects, including scholarships, personal loans, or opportunities for part-time employment.
Procedure and Paperwork for Application: The university prerequisites vary from country to country and the institution and might include educational transcripts, language efficiency assessments, recommendation letters, and statements of purpose, amongst others.
Packing is much more than shoving your entire life into a suitcase. Even though packing looks easy, for international travel to stay for years, it is not that easy.
Before You Start Packing
Stay informed about the rules and regulations based on various countries' travel restrictions and protocols.
Though COVID-19 test requirements are uplifted by most international countries, some may still require foreign students to possess a complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This documentation is mandatory for various sought-after international education hubs such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and other popular destinations for studying abroad.
Verify your luggage restrictions with your airline.
Arrange travel and accommodation.
Prepare a packing list.
Steps To Pack Right Essentials When Going Abroad
Step 1: Choose Your Luggage Bag
International flights allow 23kg for check-in luggage. Therefore, the idea should be to find a versatile and spacious bag to accommodate all the essentials. A four-wheel 360-degree rotating bag will be a good option. It will help in keeping the weight off your hands.
Step 2: Organize Before Packing
International students need to arrange and organize a complete checklist of essentials so that there are no miss-outs. When international students leave the country and travel to a foreign land, the chances of returning soon are low unless there is a semester-end break or an emergency.
Thus, organizing and planning all the essentials before you move is essential. Some important checklists while organizing your packing should be:
Use an online file storage service (like Google Drive, One Drive, etc.) to store all the documents.
Arrange airport transfers in advance.
Book temporary accommodation.
Check the luggage weight restriction.
Check the items that are not allowed to be carried.
Use a luggage tag to identify your baggage and not get confused with someone else’s.
Upload the photos of all the important documents.
Find a suitable place to accommodate all your essentials before you pack them up.
Keep ticking off the checklist by matching the items and essentials.
Step 3: Separate the Items for Checked-in and Carry-on Luggage
It is important to understand there is a difference in the items for checked-in and carry-on luggage. Several items cannot be carried in the checked-in baggage and vice versa. Hence, the baggage restrictions should be read correctly to avoid any misunderstanding.
Carry-on luggage should have the following items on the packing list of Indian students going abroad:
Currency of host country
Important documents
Phone, charger, and other gadgets
Prescription medicines
The rest of the things should be packed in checked-in baggage.
Once you get your visa and admission confirmation, it is time to know the essentials that you must pack for safe travel and stay in a foreign country. Avoid last-minute undesirable situations and go through all the essentials that every international student must pack:
Travel documents are essential to include in the packing list of students going abroad. Travel documents are important for students to successfully fly, pass immigration check-ins, board, and undergo post-departure formalities. Also, students must have photocopies of the documents in case the original gets stolen. The travel documents include the following:
Passport
Student Visa
Credit cards
Travel Itinerary
Boarding Pass
Student Card
Health insurance card or copy of travel health insurance
Fee receipt for accommodation allotted
Clothes
International students should carry as many clothes as they can from their homes. This will help them to save a lot of money. Check the weather and culture prevalent in the country you are moving to and pack your clothes accordingly.
If the students are moving to countries like the USA, Canada, etc., pack warm clothes as it is cold there, whereas east-Asian and African countries have warmer weather, hence stay moderate and pack only basic outfits.
There is no specific clothing packing list for Indian students going abroad. However, the following are some of the essential items that you can keep in your luggage:
T-shirts/tops
Two weeks' worth of socks
Shorts, pants, jeans, and skirts
Swimsuits
Pajamas
Sweaters and hoodies
Two coats or jackets (one that is water-resistant and one for the cold weather)
If the student is undergoing any treatment, they must carry the prescribed medicine with them in enough quantity. Carry the doctor's prescription, too, in case you run out of doses.
It would be best if you also take general medicines for headaches, colds & coughs. Ensure that the brand you use is legal in the country you are moving to. A few medications that should be included in the packing list for Indian students going abroad:
Keeping the local currency of the country handy when you are traveling is essential. Getting local currency from foreign exchange centers, airport kiosks, and currency exchange offices is effortless and avoids the trouble related to fake currencies. Read a little about the basics of the country's currency to get a fair idea. Carry enough cash for easy access to necessities and expenses on the way.
Note: Nowadays, Master Cards and Visa Cards are easily accepted in every country but carrying some cash is still advisable.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous items are not essentials. It is up to the students to choose whether to include them or not. Some of them are:
Electronic items is one of the most important things to carry while travelling abroad from India. One cannot travel without gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, headphones, and tablets. Here are some of the other essential electric gadgets that should be carried along:
Mobile phones
Headphones
Tablet
Charger
Laptop
USB cable
Anything that you use for daily convenience
Toiletries
Do not carry hair styling gadgets in your carry-on luggage. It is better to avoid hair styling gadgets because they consume a lot of power and electricity can be too costly in foreign countries. Some of the essentials you can carry in this segment:
What are Some Often Overlooked Items Essential for Studying Abroad?
Here is a list of things that are often overlooked but are essential things to carry while traveling abroad from India:
Universal travel adapter: This is essential for your adventure of studying abroad.
Quality backpack & day bag: These are needed for traveling during your study abroad experience.
Power Adapters and Converters: Specific adapters for your destination country might be needed besides a universal travel adapter.
Prescription Medicine: Bring a sufficient supply of any medications you need along with the prescription.
Local Currency: Have some cash in the local currency for immediate expenses upon arrival.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: You’ll likely walk more than usual, so good shoes are necessary.
Many platforms have laid down a PDF packing list for Indian students going abroad to assist students who aspire to travel and stay abroad for higher studies.
Airlines have specific rules and regulations about the items one can carry in their check-in and carry-on luggage. Furthermore, several countries have banned many products. Thus, several things should not be done for a hassle-free traveling experience. Given below is the list of some of the items that should not be carried while traveling abroad:
Heavy bottles of Liquid
The liquid is not allowed on flights. If you plan to stay hydrated while traveling, carry small water bottles or drinks from the airport. Large cans or bottles of oil, beverages, sanitizers, or shampoo are prohibited while traveling.
Books
Books always add much weight, so avoid carrying books while packing your items. Books are easily available in the college library, or you can always buy them. Instead, utilize the space for other essentials.
Snacks
Snacks or eatables take up a lot of space in your luggage. A good idea could be to taste the host country's food instead of carrying food from home. Food is good in foreign countries, and trying out the host country's food helps the students get accustomed to the new culture.
Expensive jewelry
Phones and laptops are necessary, but one must avoid carrying expensive jewelry. It is not advised for any student traveling abroad to take costly jewelry.
Where Can You Find More Information and Support for Your Journey Abroad?
Study Abroad Forums: Such forums are platforms for students to share their experiences of studying abroad. You can share ideas, have a QA session, and get your queries answered by experts.
International Student Blogs and Forums: These platforms allow students to interact with and learn from each other’s experiences.
Social Media and Online Forums: Join social media groups, forums, and online communities devoted to studying abroad.
Embassy Websites for Visa and Travel Updates:
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India: This website provides essential updates on visa services and restrictions.
Foreign Travel Advice - GOV.UK: This website offers guidance on international travel, including updated details on entrance procedures, safety and security measures, and travel advisories.
USTravelDocs: This website provides the documents, photos, and information you need to apply for your visa.
Germany: The German embassy provides detailed information on student visas, requirements, and the application process.
Australia: The Australian embassy’s official site offers student visa and scholarship guidance.
Canada: The Canadian embassy’s website includes information on education and research opportunities abroad.
How to Resist the Urge to Overpack
When packing, we tend to overpack and stuff our luggage bags with things we may never use during our stay. To decide what items to carry while traveling abroad, one can try the following tricks:
Packing beforehand – Start planning and setting aside all the things you will need, as it will help you easily figure out what you may or may not need.
Do your research – To avoid overpacking the stuff, you can talk with other Indian students already studying abroad. They can give you helpful guidance and tricks on what can be carried in the host country.
Remove irrelevant items – You must avoid packing heavy items which may not be necessary. Instead, you should make a list and stick to it.
Preparing a packing list before moving abroad is no doubt an extensive process. Students should focus on the main objective of going abroad, i.e., studies, and plan accordingly. A planned packing list for students moving abroad will help them organize and manage all the essentials and documents in the proper order.
What should you not pack or bring along to study abroad?
Packing only the essentials and packing light is important given that you only have a certain weight limit you must adhere to. When traveling abroad, be strategic and avoid unnecessary electronics, bedding items, clothing and footwear not suited for the weather, books (opt for e-books), etc.
How much luggage is allowed in international flights for students?
For international flights, students are allowed to carry 2 to 3 pieces of baggage weighing 23 kgs each. Some airlines may allow extra baggage allowance for students traveling abroad.
What should international students bring to Canada?
Things to carry while travelling abroad from India include one’s passport, personal documents, prescription medicines if any, some local currency, toiletries, charger, adapter, and hand sanitizer. One should keep in mind the climatic conditions of Canada and not forget to pack essentials like warm clothing.
What to bring to the USA as a student?
Packing list for Indian students going abroad should include all electronic essentials like external HDD, charger, adapter, kitchen essentials that you may not find in the USA, prescription medicines if any, local currency along with essential clothing items depending on the weather conditions of the city you are traveling to.
What should students bring to Australia?
Things a student should bring to Australia include their OSHC card which is their health insurance, summer clothes, warm coat, travel adaptors, etc. in addition to all official documents and personal items.
What should you buy before studying abroad?
Before traveling to study abroad, one should positively purchase items such as a portable charger, travel adapters for one’s electronics, snacks for the duration of travel, and essential personal care products.
Bulbul is a self-driven professional and an expert writer & editor. She has been a part of the ed-tech industry for the past 2 years now and is motivated to provide study abroad aspirants with factually correct and relevant information. Her knack for impactful writing makes her blogs worth a read!
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