Getting ready to pack for your college adventure abroad but not sure what to bring and what to buy on-site? Well here is my college packing list for international students!
Being an international college student myself – I’m from Switzerland and I study in the US – I was wondering what I should bring from home and what I can buy over there.
Moving into college is already tough for normal students who just have a car, but for us it’s even more complicated because we only have suitcases!
When I moved into college a few months ago, I got to experience what I really need in my dorm and what I should only buy when I need it.
So, let’s go through the college packing list for international students!
Before we get started, I wanted to remind you that I created a college packing list printable that is perfect as a checklist while you pack! You can check it out here.
Important Documents
Let’s start with the most important thing, which is your documents!
There are quite a few things you need to think of as an international student. Here is a list of what you need (and keep them in your personal bag!):
- Your passport
- Your I-20 document (visa)
- Flight tickets
- Academic documents (acceptance letter, diploma, letter of recommendation, school transcripts- they are not necessary but recommended just in case the officers want more proof)
- Health insurance documents (and vaccine records)
- Contact information of your counselor and other relevant faculty of your university, your family, and your best friends
What I did is I scanned all my important documents onto my laptop, and also copied them to have them with me in a different location. That way, even if you lose something, you still have a copy of it.
Clothing to bring
We all know that our styles might change in a new environment; we might not do it on purpose, but we adapt to our friends and our environment. So only bring clothes that you LOVE and wear on a regular basis.
As international students, we are much more restricted on what we can bring, so you should only pack your favorite clothes and some necessities such as underwear and a sweater or jacket (depending on the climate in the area of course).
Here is a list of clothes you might want to take with you from the start:
- Your favorite dress
- Nice shoes (especially if you study business or plan on rushing)
- Sneakers
- One set of nice clothes
- A swimsuit (I think they are hard to buy)
- Underwear (or at least the basics)
- Your favorite pair of jeans
- Favorite shorts
- A good jacket (check the climate first!)
- Good boots (check the climate here as well!)
- If you have space: a robe, but you can also just buy that when you get there
Related posts:
- The Ultimate College Application Guide for International Students
- The Study Abroad Guide
- How to Make Friends Abroad
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Bucket List
Electronics
This section is probably the most obvious, so just take the items you use daily or on a regular basis. Those can include:
- Your phone
- Phone charger
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- iPad
- Kindle
- iPod
- Earphones
- External drives or flash drives you use
Toiletries
You might not need all of these from day 1, so I divided this section into 2 parts: take from home and buy there. But of course it’s all up to you!
To take with you:
- Makeup bag with what you use daily
- Special skincare products if you need them
- Shampoo and conditioner bars (if that’s what you use- if not, I can only recommend them!)
- Makeup remover (I just use coconut oil personally but this is up to you)
- Your favorite special makeup products (those for special occasions)
- Toothbrush and paste
- A small first- aid kit
- Your razor (I have a safety razor and love it!)
- Birth control or any other prescription medicine
What to buy later
- Shower caddy (if you have a community bathroom)
- Shower robe
- Flipflops/shower shoes
- Hairdryer/ straightener/ curler
- Towels (big and small)
- Soap
- Basic medicine
Other Items to Take with you
Here are some general items that you should take with you from the start, but of course if you can’t just buy them there.
- A backpack (I took one as my carry on)
- Memories from home (OK you can’t buy this one, but take a few pictures from your friends and family)
- A water bottle (this one you can fill up at the airport and it’s just so useful from the start)
- A travel adapter
- A camera if you have one
Organizational Things to buy later
These are things you might need for your dorm, school life, or in general. Please don’t bother bringing them in a suitcase but rather buy them in your new home town!
- Sheets and pillows for your bed (some international offices in schools have an annual donation pile for these things, but not everyone gets that lucky so I just added it anyway)
- Folders and other school-related products
- Hangers
- Mirror
- Scissors/pins
- Storage bins
- Extension cords
- mini fridge and microwave
- Cleaning products
- Brita water pitcher
- Laundry detergent / -sheets
Related posts:
- The Ultimate College Application Guide for International Students
- The Study Abroad Guide
- How to Make Friends Abroad
- The Ultimate Study Abroad Bucket List
Final Thoughts
Most importantly, make sure to know the climate you’ll be spending your semester in, take your favorite things only, and be smart about what you really need!
With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this college packing list for international students and check out the other posts about study abroad!
Until soon,
Hi! I’m thinking about going to UK to study. If i buy a mini fridge or a microwave there, what do i do with it once school is over ?
Hi Cassidy, that sounds like an amazing plan!
Usually, international offices at universities have a few things that exchange and international students leave for others to use. You could ask them, or you could sell it to other students at a cheaper price.
But first, I would look at what your accommodation will have if you stay on campus. Many universities in the UK only have limited, if any, campus housing, so if you stayed in a student apartment with others, that would usually already have a fridge, if not also a microwave.
I hope that helps:) Have fun!
Hi, I want to study in us, can I take more than one suitcase.
Yes of course, you can take as many as you want as long as you can pay for the extra luggage fees and fit them into your dorm room.
Hi!
I am planning to go to the US for my studies. Your lists are very helpful. Thank you!
That’s amazing! Which university will you go to? I’m so glad my tips helped you!
Thank you, a very helpful list! 🙂
I’m glad it helps you! You can also download it as a free printable:)