Confused on what to add to your study abroad packing list? This post will give you 5 key items to pack that will help you enhance your study abroad experience.
Packing for anything can be exhausting, knowing what’s necessary, what’s not, especially when you have an emotional attachment to it. This article is designed to help you narrow down what should be on your list with 5 key items that are guaranteed to supplement your experience abroad.Â
This post is all about helping you with your study abroad packing list, giving you creative ideas on what you should take with you.
This may be obvious in your packing list but it needs to be emphasised. Reason being, the country you will be living in may not provide your essentials or it may be more expensive than you realise.
For example, I wear makeup often, and I overestimated how easy it would be to find an affordable eyebrow pencil that was actually good. I got caught up in the Sephora hype so much so that I didn’t sit down to calculate the Sephora price. To avoid this, I ended up paying €8-10 in Monoprix on an Elf brow pencil because I couldn’t find the typical UK brands that I usually use. Not to mention the fact that they don’t do student discounts in France like they do in the UK.Â
This was the first moment I realised that I deeply missed Boots, and that Paris was going to be more expensive than I thought.Â
Moreover, if your shade is hard to find either because 1) it’s a popular shade or 2) you’re of darker skin tone (like me) and in-person stores typically don’t provide that shade unless you’re in a large city centre, take as many skin shade-based products as you can. I was appalled by the lack of options in the Sephora in Châtelet/Westfield, which is in a predominantly black area in Paris. Of course you will be able to find it somewhere eventually, but don’t take the risk in going with barely anything left in the bottle if you realise that your only option is Amazon when you arrive there.
Buying skincare/bodycare/haircare may also be difficult as, again in France for example, their pharmacies are extremely overwhelming. If you don’t have the patience or language skills to navigate the store upon arrival, save the hairs on your head and just take your essentials (preferably pack extra). The French really take their skincare seriously, but that also means that everything was high end and because I was a student, it cost an arm and a leg. I do encourage you to explore different products as there are some things I would have never found or bothered to look at in the UK that I love using now, like the Uriage Xemose body oil wash in the winter.Â
One thing I didn’t think I would struggle finding was vaseline. I eventually found one in a white apothecary-inspired aluminium tube with Gilbert in blue writing – it was hell. Your perception of certain products is completely dependent on what country you’re buying it in. So you should definitely be wary of looking for a specific look and focus on the ingredients when searching for a product in your host country.Â
I didn’t have one while in Paris because I didn’t watch tv shows often but I have one now and would definitely recommend it. My apartment came with a TV (albeit an old one without any ‘smart’ features) so I stuck on French news in the background.Â
You don’t need a tv. A cheap projector, wifi, and a blank wall will do.Â
I didn’t realise how much I prefer seeing larger images projected rather than watching on my tiny phone screen or ipad. I have bad eyesight and extremely dry eyes, so looking at a screen too closely for 12 hours+ in a day (I would study using my ipad or laptop) just wasn’t helping. Of course if you’re using the firestick on a tv it’s still bad but at least you’re sitting at a distance compared to how close you would sit when watching on your laptop/phone/tablet.
When I bought mine, I got it discounted during a Prime Big Deal Day, so make sure to keep an eye out.Â
In France many unis, like Sorbonne IV and Science Po, allow their Erasmus students to bring dictionaries to their devoirs sur table (DST)/class assessment. Â
Caveat: this isn’t as relevant if you’re working the entire year or even if you’re only doing one semester because you may only have one assessment period, so you can navigate quite easily without buying or bringing one.Â
It is still useful, though, if you decide to bring one, especially considering how, in France, they have multiple assessments throughout the semester that are typically in class.Â
Check your modules to see how you will be assessed as it will mention it, if you have coursework then it’s not needed because you can rely on the online dictionary or library dictionaries.Â
Most disciplinaries may require a monolingual dictionary in French alone (or the language of your host country) for exams, but in my lexicology test this was not the case because the answers can be found in the monolingual dictionary.Â
We were required to use a bilingual dictionary and because I didn’t have one, I had to just use context clues to understand the question (I still did well in my exam but honestly wouldn’t recommend it). I actually tried borrowing a bilingual dictionary from the library for this test but they didn’t permit it, they had an obscure weird rule in that library and I lost my cards for the two other libraries I had signed up for.
You’re better off bringing your own bilingual dictionary from home.Â
I contemplated bringing my own dictionaries but they were too heavy and took too much space in my suitcase. I ended up having to buy another one (monolingual since most of my professors preferred that) while I was there.Â
Also, be mindful of what dictionaries are preferred as some hold more prestige than others and professors may prefer that you use those ones. In France they favour Le Robert or Le Petit Robert over any other dictionary like Larousse (which is the one I bought).Â
That being said, I would suggest bringing both a bilingual dictionary and a monolingual dictionary as different professors have different preferences. Take mini ones, though. My professor for one of my literature classes was the only one who permitted Erasmus students to use bilingual dictionaries. It’s safer to have the option of both than none at all.
Now regardless of whether you’re going to a hot climate or not, it’s still needed. It’s not just for warmth, but can help you with body pains also.
It’s such an underrated item that is often overlooked but is truly an essential wherever you go. I had both a medium and mini version for my period cramps, back pains or just to keep me warm in the winter when the heating wasn’t working in the building.Â
Anything could happen. It’s always best to anticipate what you need than for a situation to arise and you don’t have access to one. Or, if you don’t have anyone to help you.Â
Monoprix would sell the cutest mini ones that were fluffy and had lovehearts or looked like animals. I had to control myself to not buy it because I knew I didn’t need another one. You can always find one in your local pharmacy or store if you would prefer to buy in your host country rather than your home country.
Overall, they’re definitely an essential in the study abroad packing list, they’re flat and don’t take much space in the suitcase so you’re not sacrificing anything by bringing it with you. Â
It’s not essential in the study abroad packing list but it’s a favourite.Â
Don’t worry if you can’t afford a digicam, you can get a disposable camera in Boots for £15, but bring something, because it makes all the difference. I documented so many cute memories with my friends on my digicam. I actually bought it in Paris for about €30 on the street in the 6th arr.Â
It’s important to live in the moment and sometimes phone cameras take that away. Digicams/disposable cameras almost sensationalise the experience because it emphasises just how special it is. Even if you’re grocery shopping, it helps you be thankful and grateful in the moment, and almost romanticise it. My friends and I used to pretend we had a youtube video and take ‘vlogs’.Â
Of course, I am not saying that you can’t experience this with just a phone, but it helps take the unnecessary noise away.Â
Create a digital diary.
Create vlogs for your future self when you miss the time abroad (because you will) so you can see how far you’ve come and grown.Â
I recognise that a camera may be too expensive to add to your year abroad packing list (understandable). A more cost effective way to document your year abroad: Tiktok or Pinterest are your best options.Â
Baseline is this: find a visual outlet to express your gratitude in the moment so you can reflect in both the present and future times.Â
Visualisation is so important in remaining a positive mindset, especially when you’re abroad and potentially away from family. Maintain a grateful, positive heart and you can ensure that you’ll be making the most of your time abroad.
Now, you should be one step closer to completing your year abroad packing checklist after reading this post. This is an exciting journey you have ahead of you, take every moment in!
I would suggest keeping an eye out for sales or really utilising your student discount on unidays to make sure you’re all stocked up on your essentials kit.Â
If you’re feeling anxious about how to prepare, these informative articles linked below will relieve you of any pre-travel stress!
For a complete guide:
How to Prepare for Your Year Abroad
For a quick read with quick tips:
10 Best Study Abroad Tips to Help You Plan
This post was all about 5 key things to take with you in your study abroad packing list to help you maximise your experience abroad.Â
A passionate and creative female blogger who is navigating living in the city in her 20s
