How to Pack When Going Abroad for Study? See Best Travel Tips

I am always discussing about the countries and universities and different scenarios of living abroad. In this article, we will discussing the about the time when you have decided your study abroad destination and are about to leave.

When you will preparing for life in a foreign country, your most important worry will be about the things you should pack and take with you. It’s not like you are going to aunt’s house or on a few days trip. You are basically about to start a new life in an entirely strange country that will be your second home. So, following I have shared all the information about the things you should take with you, things you should leave and a complete check list to have prepared.

Get a Bank Account:

This is very important that you have a bank account with proper cheque book and debit or credit card. It will also be helpful if you acquire the service of online banking. Since in this century, your parents can’t send you cash money via parcel, they will have to transfer it through bank. In addition to this bank account, you will also need to open another bank account in the country you are going.

Keep Foreign Currency:

First of all, you are aware that your homeland’s currency won’t work in a foreign country. You can use your Debit or credit card but that can be expensive on you and not every place accepts the card. You will use your card that part comes later. For starting hours or days, you will need Cash. So, what you should do is to get some of money exchanged into the currency of your destination. When you will, most probably the first thing to do will be to pay taxi driver or may be pay for the food. Usually you need cash for that.

Double Check All Documents:

It is the most important thing unless you want to return from the airport and get in a big problem in the foreign country. You should double check all your important documents and keep them in a safe place. Your important documents that you will be taking abroad include:

1.  Identity Card

2.  Visa

3.  Passport

4.  Ticket

5.  Debit/ Credit card and Cheque Book

6.  Academic certifications i.e. result certificates

Check Baggage Allowance:

Before you start stuffing clothes and other stuff in your bags, first you should know how many you are allowed on the plane and what is the bag’s weight limit. Otherwise, you might  have to reorganize things on airport and send some items back home.

What to Do With Electronic Appliances:

Usually females have more electronic appliances that they need in their daily life routines like hair dryer, straightener etc. Only a few men might use a hair drier on regular basis. So, what should we about them. First you should know that you can take them with you and that is not a problem. But the question is should you? I recommend if the products are old, it’s time to leave them and buy new after reaching the destination country. Otherwise, put them all in a single place and properly pack inside the bag.

Don’t Forget Medicines:

Medicines are really important for those who have some sort of problem, like asthma, allergies etc. The things, you won’t find the medicines in other countries that are easily available in your country. There will be medicines that also might have same formulas but it will be from a different production company. Medicines for fever, temperature or headaches like Brufen etc. will be available there so there is no need to pack them. However, if you some other issue, you should take the whole packs of medicines for your entire stay abroad.

Know the Season of the Destination:

It is important that you know the current season and all the season of your destination. Clothes packing is in accordance with the season. Now if you pack T-Shirts, I don’t they will be really useful in winter nor any sweaters will come in handy in summer. One thing that must be taken in any case is a nice formal suit. There will be occasions like interviews or meetings when you will need a formal suit.

Clothes and Shoes:

Both men and women have different kinds of clothes and particular taste in fashion. What you take with you mostly depends on what you like most. However, you should know that probably you are going to have to buy some clothes after reaching the destination as there will be fashion contrast.

Now try not to take the clothes that is a fashion in only your country for example Shalwar Qameez. You may get all patriotic at start but you will feel it after reaching there. Still, it is your personal choice.

There is also no need to stuff all your clothes. Only take about 5 or 8 matches. Try to include clothes that work in all places. You can include, T-Shirts, Dress shirts, casual shirts and jeans and dress pants. Girls should also take their Hijaab or Abaya with them, if they wear one. Also make sure, you have a dress that is comfortable to sleep in.

Your dressing should be according to the weather. If its winter, you should take about 3 sweaters with you and a jacket that works with all clothes. As for big jacket or coat, you should try to wear it on the plane to save space in bags. As for shoes, that also try not to take more than 4. If you need more, you have a good excuse to do some shopping. Another things to be forgotten are under garments. You should keep enough that will last for at least next 3 months.

Toiletries:

These stuff are not as important but still there are things that you should take with you. These things include your

1.  Toothbrush

2.  Toothpaste

3.  Soap and shampoo

4.  Nail cutter

5.  Makeup for only month (if you wear)

6.  Conditioner or wax (if you use)

7.  Perfume

8.  Brush or comb

9.  Feminine Products for one month (only for girls, of course)

Some people say that you should also keep toilet paper with you as there may be some emergency or problem but I don’t there is any need to. There won’t be any need in the plane and you can easily buy them in foreign country. However, some pocket tissues are recommended to kept with you.

Other Larger Items:

There are also some space taking items like bed sheets and towels and some people even consider a mirror and coffee maker etc. These things are not recommended to be taken with you. These will not fit in your bags and will be only extra weight. You can buy all these stuff there and even if you don’t know the place or think you will need them right after landing there is a solution for that. It is called online shopping. The most important things like towel or bed sheets can be ordered online from your country and have them delivered on time suitable for you at the address where you are going to live.

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By Usama Ahmed Awan The Editor of StudyAbroad.pk, Usama is a BZU studied Software Engineer, now  a Teacher, Article Writer, Educational Counselor and Journalist. He has been  writing to assist students selecting the right career path.