Planning to study abroad this year? Here are 31 absolutely necessary study abroad essentials you’re definitely going to need during your semester abroad!
If you are looking for study abroad essentials at a good price, this list of study abroad must haves for college students is for you!
In this post, I am sharing everything from travel backpacks to packing cubes and everything in between! I had many of these during my semester abroad, and let me tell you, I could not recommend them more!
I’m only giving you the best of the best, the absolute essentials. I know you will thank me later when you have everything you need while studying abroad!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Investing in a high quality travel backpack is an investment that is absolutely necessary. I know you may be thinking “I have a carry on roller luggage that I’ll bring” but do not bring it!
Lots of budget airlines in Europe charge extra for carry on luggage with wheels. A high quality travel backpack will actually save you so much money in airline fees alone.
A travel vlogging camera is necessary to capture all of the memories you are going to make during your semester abroad. I know, phones have great cameras these days but I loved having my Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II to vlog my entire study abroad experience.
The Canon G7 X Mark II is a vlogging camera many Youtubers use. It’s compact and shoots amazing video & photo quality up to 1080p HD at 60fps (frames per second). The screen flips 180 degrees making it easy to capture your entire study abroad semester in Europe!
The Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera is the next level Canon camera from the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II. It shoots 4k HD
For all your adventures underwater and above ground, a Go Pro is a study abroad essential! I loved taking it with me when I was ATVing the streets of Greece and paragliding in Switzerland.
Even though reading is a great travel activity on flights, trains and busses.. You unfortunately can’t bring endless amounts of books in your luggage. Instead, think about purchasing a Kindle, a lightweight Apple iPad Air or another tablet to satisfy all your reading needs!
I have been using the AmoVee 2-in-1 Hair Straightener / Curling Iron for all of my travels for the past 5 years now. It’s compact, is dual voltage and love that its a 2-in-1 device!
Since it is a compact device, I only recommend this for women who have short to medium length hair!
I absolutely love my Hydroflask Water Bottle and brought it everywhere during my semester abroad (AND I MEAN EVERYWHERE!)
It keeps your water cold for hours an end, which is a must especially in the summer heat. If you are planning to study abroad in Europe, there are lots of refillable water stations so a reusable water bottle is a study abroad essential.
In almost every single study abroad picture I took, you’ll see me clutching my Longchamp Le Pliage underarm bag or my anti-theft cross body purse.
Getting pick pocketed happens way too often (especially as study abroad students!), so you’ll want to make sure your belongings are secure at all times.
A universal adapter is definitely something you need to add to your study abroad essentials list. There are different power sockets throughout Europe. This means you absolutely need to come prepared so you can charge your devices!
I love the HAOZI Universal Travel Adapter from Amazon because it has extra USB ports making it easy to charge multiple devices at once!
TSA approved travel locks are a must to add to your study abroad packing list. Whether your checking a back at the airport, staying overnight at a hostel or want to carry around a day pack (as seen in the picture of me in Florence above).. A flexible lock will definitely be handy!
These are my favorite TSA Approved travel locks that come 2 in a pack and are under $10.
Packing Cubes are a study abroad essential to make sure all of your items fit into your travel backpack and suitcase.
To capture all of your memories, you’ll definitely want to keep a journal.
