The ultimate packing guide for your study abroad adventure!

Studying abroad will provide you with an incredible adventure and amazing memories. You’ll have the chance to explore

a new country, make fabulous new friends and immerse yourself in an entirely different culture.…

But with such a life-changing opportunity ahead of you, it’s easy to get carried away when it comes to packing your luggage and before you

know it, you’re trying to find room for your doona and the kitchen sink!

To ease the packing panic, we’ve put together this handy list of our top 10 study abroad necessities to help you load your luggage like a pro.

Essential electronicsResearch your host country’s power-plug style before you leave and grab a compatible power board so you can charge all your electronics at once. This will also save you some $$$ because you’re not buying separate chargers for all your devices. #winning

It’s also advisable to leave your hair dryer at home and buy one in your host country. Take our word for it, hair dryers are notorious for blowing up when connected to foreign power sources!

Functional footwearWhen travelling abroad you only need 3 (yes 3!) pairs of shoes.

One pair should be nice and dressy for special nights out. The second pair need to be tried and tested, super-durable, super-comfy walking shoes. Last but not least, you should never be caught without a pair of casual, wear-anywhere shoes like thongs or sandals.

Remember: you’ll be wearing a pair of shoes on the flight so if you’re desperate to sneak in a fourth pair, this is your chance!

Critical copiesIn order to be safe on your travels there are some documents you need to have copies of. These include: passport, tickets, visa documents (if applicable), itinerary, travel insurance policy, USQ contact details, contact details of your host university, details of host country’s Australian Embassy and the acceptance letter from your host university.

Pop a copy of these documents in each of your bags (in case some of your luggage is lost or stolen) and also leave a set with your family at home. In case of emergencies, it’s also advisable to have a digital copy stored online through a secure document management system such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

Legitimate locksSave money and hassle by purchasing locks that are approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Many airlines recommend that you use TSA approved locks so that airport security can easily access your luggage for baggage checks and then seal them again for you, instead of having to cut the locks off and leaving your luggage unprotected for the rest of the journey.

Socks and jocksThe last thing you want to be worried about when you’re busy settling in is getting the washing done! Squeeze in a few extra socks and undies so you can enjoy your first week or two without needing to venture out to find a laundry.

Stuff your socks and jocks into your shoes to save space in your luggage and if you’re really pushing the baggage limits on the way home, leave them behind.

Must-have medicationsDepending where you’re travelling to, you may need a letter from your doctor to authorise the possession of some medications. If you are on prescription medicine, be sure to book an appointment with your regular GP to discuss your options before going overseas.

We also suggest researching what medications are available over the counter in your host country as in some places, even everyday medications such as antihistamines cannot be purchased without a prescription.

Tough-as-nails toiletry bagThere’s nothing worse than opening your perfectly packed suitcase to find your entire wardrobe soaked in shampoo.

A waterproof toiletry case will contain any spills and keep all your bathroom essentials in one place.

Ample samplesTo save space in your suitcase, stock up on sample size products and then buy the full-size equivalent when you get to your host country.

Supermarkets now stock a huge range of mini toiletries such as deodorant, shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, body wash and moisturiser. These mini-size products will last you at least a week or two, just long enough to settle in and find your local supermarket.

Aussie iconsBe sure to pack some home-grown comfort food and Aussie attire to help you settle in. Why not pack yourself a culinary survival kit complete with all your faves? Essentials include: Vegemite, Fantales, Tim Tams and Iced Vovos.

You’ll also need some Aussie attire so you can represent our great nation abroad at cultural days and festivals!

Something sentimentalThere’s no need to build a memorial in your new bedroom, but a few meaningful reminders of your friends and family will help ease the inevitable pangs of homesickness.

Pack your favourite photo of each of the special people (and pets!) in your life along with one or two other sentimental items. Don’t forget to share your #usqpride with a hoodie or other USQ merchandise!

So there you have it, our 10 ultra-essential items for life abroad as a USQ student. Don’t forget to share your experience with us on

social media. We love to see a phoenix abroad and it’s as easy as using #usqinternational to show us what you’re getting up to!

Now that your bags are expertly packed, don’t forget to load up your tech devices as well! Make sure your study abroad experience runs smoothly with maps, translators, currency converters and safety

measures right at your fingertips.

Check out this guide to your must-have study abroad apps!

Bon Voyage!

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