It takes more than common sense to figure out all the things to carry while traveling abroad. Leaving a country and settling down abroad for some years is not an easy task. A pre-departure shopping list for students going to Canada, the UK, or any other country is very important, and every international student must pay attention to this.
Packing is much more than shoving your entire life into a suitcase. Even though packing looks easy, for international travel with the purpose of staying for years, it is not that easy. Now, before you fall short of time, let us throw some light on all the packing essentials and bring you the perfect study abroad guide for Indian students:
Before You Start Packing:
1. Stay informed about the rules and regulations based on various countries' travel restrictions and protocols.
2. 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.
3. Verify your luggage restrictions with your airline.
4. Arrange travel and accommodation.
5. 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:
a) Use an online file storage service (like Google Drive, One Drive, etc.) to store all the documents.
b) Arrange airport transfers in advance.
c) Book temporary accommodation.
d) Check the luggage weight restriction.
e) Check the items that are not allowed to be carried.
f) Use a luggage tag to identify your baggage and not get confused with someone else’s.
g) Upload the photos of all the important documents.
h) Find a suitable place to accommodate all your essentials before you pack them up.
i) 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.
Read More: Study abroad after 12th or graduation | Study Abroad With Pathway Programs
Important Packing Checklist:
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: