This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up through any of the links on this website, at no extra cost to you. View disclaimer for more information.
I officially finished my semester in Rome and I’d like to consider myself now as a professional study abroad student. I wanted to I officially finished my semester in Rome and I’d like to consider myself now as a professional study abroad student. I wanted to create a list of things to ask for before studying abroad whether its for Christmas, your birthday, or just a going away present. Ask for as in a couple things that might be a little more pricey than most basics like new underwear.
I’d like to think I have a pretty good idea of necessities abroad, so I hope you find this list beneficial!
Studying abroad is going to be one of the greatest adventures of your life and you’re going to want to remember every minute of it. I know, we live in an era where some phone cameras are better than actual cameras, but I came to a point where I completely had no storage on my phone! Having a good quality camera is how I captured some of my best memories and took my best vlogs while abroad!
I use the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, which is lightweight, takes amazing quality photos, and is the perfect vlogging camera.
If you want to go the artsy route, then you can get the Fujifilm Instax mini polaroid camera instead. One of my favorite things was taking polaroids while I was traveling of new sites and of my friends. Having polaroids to hang up after my semester abroad totally makes me super nostalgic.
I’m sure we’ve all witnessed it first hand, but the battery on my phone lasts about three hours. Having a portable charger was a lifesaver!! While I was traveling I was constantly using Google Maps & trying to take photos, so half the time I was either walking around with no battery and hoping for the best or asking restaurants if they had an iPhone charger. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of an unknown city and having no battery, but a good portable charger will go a long way.
Just a note: the more expensive portable chargers typically last WAY WAY longer and (in my opinion) is worth the price. All the one’s that I have had in the past that I’ve bought because they are super cheap always lasts for like 30 minutes.
A universal travel adapter is definitely a must on the list of things to ask for before studying abroad. Every night I’d have to charge my phone, my laptop, my camera, and my iWatch so having a universal adapter that had multiple plugs was a lifesaver. For example, the outlet in the UK is different than the one in Italy, so having an adapter with both was totally helpful! I’d definitely recommend buying a good quality universal adapter compared to the cheaper options.
In Europe service water isn’t free, so buy a refillable water bottle!! There’s a good number of countries that have good, drinkable tap water. I found myself saving way more money by filling up my water bottle instead of having to buy plastic water bottles. Saving the environment and staying hydrated at the same time, a double whammy!!
There’s a couple different options when looking for a good water bottle. I loved having a Hydro Flask because it kept my water cold for a long period of time. However, once its empty it gets annoying to carry around. There’s also water-bottles that are collapsible which make it super transportable and you can easily throw it in your bag once it’s empty!
One of my favorite things to do when traveling from city to city was to write out my thoughts. Having a travel journal was at the top of my things to ask for before studying abroad list because its a great way to re-jog your memories once it’s all over. Some of my favorite things I wrote down were what I ate, the names of restaurants, or a funny hostel story. Keeping track of the smallest things can make such a difference. Having a travel journal to write it all down is something I’ll definitely be thankful for later on.
A must for weekend trips and definitely a life saver! If you’re going on weekend trips (which I highly suggest doing), you’ll definitely need some travel size toiletry bottles. For short weekend trips, odds are you’ll only be able to have a carry on. This means no big shampoo bottles or perfume bottles, and nothing over 3.4 fluid ounces! TSA in Europe is a lot more strict about this than in the United States. Be prepared by having your travel size toiletry bottles in a clear ziplock bag!
The amount of walking in Europe never ends. Literally. Be prepared to walk at least five miles on your weekend trips. Having comfortable shoes can make or break a trip (I got horrible blisters one weekend and it was awful). Investing in a good pair of cute yet comfortable walking sneakers is definitely a must. I loved having Adidas Sneakers because they’re both cute and comfortable!
Buying a good pair of cute boots that are both comfortable to walk in and go out in is a must-have staple while abroad. I literally lived in these booties and could walk miles in them.
Pickpockets in Europe and while traveling are no joke. I highly recommend getting a bag that you can always have in front of you and keep an eye on. Although it has never happened to me, I’ve heard one too many horror stories of people getting pick pocketed. Use an Anti-theft cross body purse with lots of zippers and store your valuables such as your passport in the hardest to reach pocket. If you need to carry a backpack be sure there’s nothing important in it!
A good TSA approved lock is a must when it comes to traveling. Whether it’s to lock the backpack you’re carrying or to lock your locker in a hostel. Having a flexible lock comes in handy especially at hostels because the locker sizes vary. Some lock holes are meant for big locks and others are meant for small ones. Having a flexible lock is perfect for both scenarios or you might find yourself buying a new lock at the front desk!
I hope this list of things to ask for before studying abroad was helpful. As a ~professional study abroad student~ I listed some of the main necessities I used while abroad.
Thanks for reading and see ya in the next post!
Xoxo, Ang Around The Globe – Angelique
Like this post? Pin it by clicking the Pinterest button!
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.
Grab the printable study abroad checklist covering the paperwork, money, and packing stuff that's easy to forget until you're already there wishing you'd sorted it!