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Packing for a semester abroad is stressful enough without wondering if your electronics are even going to work once you land. I’ve been through this exact packing list myself, and there’s a real difference between the stuff that sounds useful and the stuff you’ll actually reach for every day once you’re there. Here’s what I’d actually pack, updated for 2026 and what’s current right now (not what was current back in 2019 when I personally studied abroad).
This is non-negotiable, and it’s the first thing that goes in my bag. Different countries use different plug shapes and voltages, and you don’t want to find that out when your phone’s at 3% in an airport.
This is my favorite pick and the one I use. It covers dual USB-C plus regular outlets so you’re not fighting over one charging port with your roommate. Get one with built-in surge protection if you can, it’s a small extra cost that protects your laptop from a rough power grid.
You will drain your phone battery faster abroad than you think, between maps, translation apps, and taking way more photos than usual. A portable charger with at least 10,000mAh is worth the space in your bag.
I’d point you toward Anker’s current PowerCore lineup here rather than one specific model. Anker’s the category leader and their exact model numbers rotate every year or two, so the search link will always point you to whatever’s current instead of something discontinued.
For dorm hangouts, cooking in a shared kitchen, or just having music on while you get ready to go out. This one’s less “essential” than the rest of the list and more “you’ll be really glad you brought it the first time your flatmates want to hang out.”
A portable Bluetooth speaker with decent battery life and some water resistance (for the inevitable beach day or pool party) is worth the suitcase space. I personally really love having my JBL speaker with me on the go!
If you want to actually document the semester instead of relying only on phone photos, a dedicated camera is worth it. I use the Canon G7X II myself and genuinely love it for how compact it is next to the photo quality you get out of it. I also love it for vlogging, which is especially great for a study abroad semester. I looooove looking back at all the memories I captured on my camera
The exact model I originally used has been replaced by the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, which is the direct current version and still a favorite for travel and content creators for the same reasons the original was: it’s small enough to carry every day, and the photo and video quality punch well above its size.
For anything involving hiking, water, or just not wanting to worry about dropping your nice camera, an action camera earns its spot in the bag. I’ve used a GoPro for this and it’s held up through a lot of the abuse a study abroad semester puts on gear.
GoPro’s lineup moves fast, so rather than pointing you to a specific old model, I’d go with whatever the current-generation GoPro is at the time you’re buying or the DJI Osmo for vlogging. The core value of having a rugged, waterproof camera you don’t have to babysit hasn’t changed.
Between photos, videos, and schoolwork, you’ll want backup storage that doesn’t rely only on cloud space (which can be slow or expensive to access abroad). The key word here is portable, you want something bus-powered that doesn’t need its own separate power adapter, not a desktop drive that only works plugged into the wall.
A compact SSD like the ones in this portable SSD search fits that “throw it in your backpack” use case a lot better than a traditional desktop drive. Look for one that’s USB-C and pocket-sized.
If you style your hair regularly, don’t assume your current from home will work abroad because most aren’t built for the voltage difference. You can genuinely fry them (or worse) plugging into the wrong outlet without a real dual voltage tool.
I use the AmoVee Dual Voltage Flat Iron, and it’s done the job every time I’ve traveled with it. It’s best for short to mid length hair and is a great styling tool to have on the go. Stock on this one runs low sometimes, so if you see it in stock and you know you need one, I’d grab it rather than wait.
Same logic as the straightener. Hair dryers pull a lot of power, and a non-dual-voltage dryer is one of the most common things people accidentally burn out abroad (or blow a fuse in their host apartment with). The Conair dual voltage dryer is still a solid, current pick here!
Studying abroad usually means a lot of downtime in transit, and lugging physical books across a semester isn’t realistic. An e-reader has been one of my favorite things to travel with for exactly that reason.
Rather than the older Paperwhite model this post originally pointed to (which has since been discontinued), go with whatever the current Kindle Paperwhite generation is. Amazon renumbers Kindle generations pretty often, so this is one where I’d rather send you to the current model than a specific one that might not be sold in a year.
My actual, honest answer here is AirPods. That’s what I travel with and what I reach for constantly, on flights, on trains, walking around a new city. If you want the noise-canceling version specifically for long flights or loud dorms, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is the current pick.
If you specifically want over-ear, true noise-canceling headphones for long-haul flights, the current Bose QuietComfort Headphones are worth a look too, they’re the direct successor to the older Bose model this post used to recommend. Just know you’re looking at a bigger price jump for that format.
This one’s less exciting but it’ll save you real money. Overweight baggage fees at international check-in are brutal, and you don’t want to be repacking at the counter in front of a line of people.
The Etekcity digital luggage scale is still the one to get! It’s a tiny, cheap thing that pays for itself the first time it saves you a $100 overweight fee.
For getting walking directions in a new city without pulling your phone out every two minutes, tapping to pay, and getting notifications without carrying your phone at all times. This one’s become a genuinely common item for younger travelers over the last few years.
I’m an Apple girly through and through, so an Apple Watch is the natural pick If you’re not locked into Apple, a Garmin or Fitbit smartwatch does the same core job for less.
Dorms, hostels, and homestays are notorious for having way fewer outlets than people trying to use them. A single power strip lets you (or you and your roommates) charge multiple devices off one outlet instead of fighting over it.
Get a travel power strip with surge protection, ideally a compact one built for travel rather than a bulky home version. The surge protection part matters more abroad, where power can be less stable than what you’re used to.
If you end up in a shared room, a thin-walled dorm, or just somewhere loud, this is a small thing that makes a real difference in how well you sleep. It’s a niche pick compared to the rest of this list, but it comes up constantly in what actual study abroad students say they wish they’d packed.
A portable white noise machine that runs on battery or USB (not one that needs to stay plugged into the wall) is the more practical option for packing.
If you plan on filming any of your semester for Instagram or TikTok (and let’s be honest, you probably will), a gimbal makes a massive difference in how steady and professional your footage looks compared to just holding your phone. A basic tripod is the cheaper, simpler version of the same idea, useful any time you want to actually be in the shot instead of always behind the camera.
A phone gimbal stabilizer is worth it if you’re serious about content. If you just want something for group photos and the occasional steady video, a compact phone tripod is the lighter, cheaper option.
This is different from the e-reader above, a Kindle is great for actual books, but not for PDFs, lecture slides, or annotating readings, which is most of what a semester abroad throws at you academically. A tablet also doubles as a second screen and a much lighter thing to carry to class than a laptop.
An iPad is the obvious pick if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, pair it with an Apple Pencil if you like taking notes by hand. If you want something cheaper, a budget Android tablet covers the same PDF-and-note-taking use case for a lot less money.
This post was all about the electronics to actually pack before studying abroad, updated for what’s current and what still works, not just what worked back when I first wrote this.
And there you all have it. A guide of what electronics to pack for studying abroad. I know, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. But your semester will be absolutely incredible and I’m so excited for the journey you are about to go on.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed this post and happy travels!
Xoxo – Angelique Vestil (@angaroundtheglobe)
Check out some of my favorite tools and companies I actually use when I travel.
Need a Bank Account for Life Abroad? Wise is the best option for travelers, study abroad students and expats. I use it as my everyday checking account since it lets me hold and spend in multiple currencies without getting hit with a bad exchange rate every time I cross a border.
Want to Travel for Free & Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees? I put my spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and let the points cover flights and hotels I'd otherwise be paying for out of pocket. I've been able to use the points I earn on this card to pay for flights, hotels and meals all around the world!
Please Don't Forget Travel Insurance! Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never go on a trip without it. My two favorites are:
Need a Flight? I personally love using Google Flights to track prices and compare dates before I commit, the flexible date view alone has saved me a lot of money. Skyscanner is another great search engine to find cheap flights because it searches sites and airlines around the globe, so you know no cheap deal is being left on the table.
Getting Around Southeast Asia? Book your buses, trains, and ferries with 12Go Asia. One search shows you every route and price, so you're not digging through ten different local booking sites.
Need a Place to Stay? Book your hotel with Expedia, where I start looking, especially when I want to bundle flights and stays together. Hotels.com is my backup when I want to compare prices or I'm chasing their rewards program for a free night.
On a Tighter Budget? Hostelworld is where I go for hostels. It has the largest inventory out there, and you can search for dorm beds or private rooms depending on what you're after!
Want a Free Way to Travel? Try TrustedHousesitters! You look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and in exchange you get free accommodation (minus the subscription fee). It's a great option if you're traveling long term and want to cut costs. I personally use this as a host and a sitter, and it's truly great!
Need Inspiration or Just Want to See What's Out There? Go Guides is a solid resource for destination guides, must-see landmarks, local markets, best beaches, and things to do, browsable by place or by theme. It's a good stop whether you already know where you're headed or you're still looking for your next destination.
Check out my full packing gear guide for everything I bring on international trips, or browse my favorite travel finds on Amazon for quick links to it all.
Check out my full resource page for every company I use when I travel. I list them all in one place so you can go from planning to booked without digging through old blog posts!
Hey there, I'm Angelique!
I'm a Filipina-American, Chicago native living abroad and running my online design agency from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over a decade of traveling in, and yes, I still pinch myself. With family split between the US, UK, and SE Asia, travel has always been part of my story. This blog is where I share the honest side of living and traveling abroad, the places I explore, my best study abroad tips from personal experience, and the little hacks that make this life actually work. Glad you're here, friend!
Studying abroad soon?
everything to sort before you go, in one printable page.
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