Studying abroad lays a strong foundation for a promising and successful career. If you are planning to study abroad and wondering what to pack for studying overseas, here’s a comprehensive packing guide for Indian students going abroad.
Key highlights:
- Why Students Aspire to Study Abroad
- Packing Guide for Indian Students Going Abroad
- Documents
- Clothes and Shoes
- Electronic Gadgets
- Kitchen Essentials
- Foreign Currency
- Prescription Medicines
- Stationery Items
- Miscellaneous
- Things to Avoid in the Study Abroad Packing List
- Some Packing Tips for Students Going Abroad
Why Students Aspire to Study Abroad
Most students wish to study abroad to build a global outlook and access quality education. Exposure to world-class universities, modern teaching methods, and peers from diverse cultural backgrounds will widen your horizons. You can learn new languages and interact with people from different cultures, enabling you to develop better communication skills, be more adaptable, and acquire cultural awareness.
These experiences will shape your personal and professional growth, too. Additionally, an international degree will open up a new dimension of job opportunities, as recruiters will value your experience.
Packing Guide for Indian Students Going Abroad
Getting ready to study abroad is one of the most exciting moments in a student’s life. However, packing to stay in a new country can be overwhelming. From important documents to personal essentials, students have to be judicious about what to carry and what to leave behind. Here’s everything you must know about a study abroad packing list.
Documents
Documents are the most important part of packing essentials for Indian students going abroad. Carry all important papers in a strong file or folder with hard copies. Store a scanned version of all documents in a secure cloud storage service or email them to yourself for easy access. As a general rule of thumb, it is advised to carry the documents in hand luggage so you can easily retrieve them when asked by airport authorities.
Some important documents:
- Valid student visa
- Photo ID
- University admission letter
- Academic transcripts
- Flight tickets
- Health and travel insurance
- Proof of funds
- Photos
Clothes and Shoes
For a packing guide for Indian students going abroad, when packing clothes, remember to factor in the climate of your study destination. For colder countries such as Canada, the UK, or parts of the US, good winter wear should include thermals, etc. However, you may want to buy heavy winter wear after arriving because it’s most important to get the right material and as per the local weather conditions. If you are going to countries such as Singapore, carry light, cotton clothing.
Some essentials:
- T-shirts
- Jeans or trousers
- Formals for presentations
- Thermals, gloves, sweatshirts and hoodies for colder countries
- Ethnic clothes to celebrate festivals
- Jackets
- Flip flops
- Sandals
- Sneakers
Electronic Gadgets
Electronic gadgets will help you study effectively and remain connected with the world. Do not forget to pack a universal travel adapter because plug types can vary from country to country. Scientific calculators prove to be of great help if you are going for some technical courses.
Some important gadgets:
- Laptop and charger
- Mobile phone and charger
- Headphones
- Power bank
- Universal power adapter
- USB pendrive
- Extension board
Kitchen Essentials
Food gives much comfort when you are away from home. So, as part of the packing guide for students going abroad, a few basic Indian spices in small, labelled containers, and items you may not find abroad, should be on your list. However, do not overpack food items as most essentials will be available in your study destination. You can prioritise and pack things that can be expensive overseas, and for the first couple of days, you need to have basic kitchen items until you can go out and shop.
Here are some important things to pack:
- Readymade food packs
- Dry snacks
- Indian sweets
- Cutting board
- Spatula, serving spoon and ladle
- Plates, bowls, glasses and coffee mug and/or tea cup
Foreign Currency
A student packing checklist for abroad should always include some amount of foreign currency in cash for immediate expenses like transportation or food upon arrival. The rest of your funds can be carried through a forex card or an international debit/credit card. Keep your cash and cards in a secure, easy-to-access pouch. Also, keep small amounts of Indian currency for airport use or return trips.
Prescription Medicines
Healthcare systems across countries are very different, and the medicines available in India may not be immediately accessible when abroad. Therefore, it is recommended to carry a sufficient supply of prescription medications for common colds, allergies, and headaches, as well as other simple emergencies that may occur. Medications must always be left in their original, properly labelled packaging. A doctor’s prescription in English, listing all prescribed drugs, is necessary.
Some items that should be in your first-aid kit:
- Band-aids, cotton and antiseptic cream
- An ample amount of prescription medicines
Stationery Items
Though almost all the stationery items are available abroad, carrying a few saves both time and money. Please remember that carrying too many notebooks can add weight, so bring only what is essential for the first few weeks.
Some must-haves:
- Pens, pencils, erasers, and highlighters
- Ruler and compass box (for engineering students)
- Sticky-notes
- Files and folders for assignments
- Glue stick
Miscellaneous
Besides all of the above, a few miscellaneous things can make your life abroad more comfortable. You should include toiletries, luggage tags, towels, some reusable shopping bags, and travel-size laundry detergent in your packing list. A lock or small padlock may be useful to secure your luggage or hostel locker.
You can also carry:
- Photos of family and friends
- Souvenirs reminding you of your home
- Sewing kit
- Umbrellas or a raincoat
Things to Avoid in the Study Abroad Packing List
When getting ready to study abroad, do not pack perishable food, as it may spoil during travel. Also, do not bring along non-prescribed medicines that may be against the local laws of your study destination. Overloading increases unnecessary stress and baggage. Only pack what is needed to comply with the airline and host country for a hassle-free trip abroad.
Some Packing Tips for Students Going Abroad
Carry out extensive research on your chosen destination’s climate, culture, and living arrangements before packing. Understand your airline’s baggage policy - what you can carry on, what weight limits are, and what items are prohibited, to avoid unnecessary extra charges. Label all luggage with your contact information.
With the help of this detailed guide and packing tips for students going abroad, get ready to fly to your preferred study destination. If a lack of funds is creating a roadblock, you can opt for a loan for education. An education loan for abroad is a fantastic way to finance your education independently.
At Avanse Financial Services, we offer student loans with 100% finance, quick loan sanctions and flexible repayment options. You can try our educational loan calculator to understand your estimated EMIs. If you have any questions, please share them with us. We will be glad to partner with you on your academic journey.
Also Read: Study Abroad Plan 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Students
