Akhilesh Kumar
Traveling abroad for the first time is a whole new experience for every student. Leaving your family and friends behind to study in Canada is a big step. But, not sure what to pack for your overseas trip? This article will surely answer your many questions.
Carry Essentials
Never forget to carry all the essential documents and papers like passport, visa, plane ticket, address list, phone number, transcripts, certificates, insurance information, medical documents, accommodation details and others. All these papers or documents are required during departure or arrival so, keep them in your handbag.
Electronic Items
Carrying a universal power adapter for your electronic devices is one of the most important accessories. Also pack your laptop, camera, shaver along with their chargers. If you don’t have any of these gadgets, then buy them in the country you are traveling.
Other Items
Based on your needs, other than clothes and gadgets you can also pack items like lotions, creams, shower gels, makeup, etc. Must pack your shoes and slippers but limit the number of pairs based on the space left in your baggage.
Some Pro-Tips to keep in mind while Packing Luggage
- Always save some space in your luggage so you can wear or remove clothes according to the weather
- If the place you are landing is cold, then you should have adequate winter clothes, and if the place is hot then you must have adequate summer clothes
- Based on the urgency, keep your items in the handbag.
- Always pack a set of clothes in your handbag in case you have to stay at a hotel or some other temporary accommodation
- Always buy a lightweight bag so that it doesn’t eat your overall baggage weight.
- Pack less formal wear because you could wear them informal gatherings like graduation day, placement day and cultural events
- Keep things like laptop, mobile, iPad, camera and other gadgets in your handbag
- Carry the kitchen appliances only if you have space in your bag. Else you can buy these appliances after reaching abroad.
- Not just clothes but also keep sufficient undergarments, that will last at least two weeks
- Avoid packing dictionary, guidebooks, local maps etc.
- Always make a list of items that you are carrying and keep the list with you because there is a probability of things getting lost
- Always keep first aid kit ready with you.
Things to Carry
The list of items that you can carry while traveling is as follows. You can pack the items as per your requirements:
Essentials
- Address list
- List of important contacts or numbers
- Backpack, suitcase, sports bag
- Paper or Notebook
- Passport
- Pencils and Pens
- Tickets and itinerary
- Visa
- Travel Insurance
Finances
- ATM card
- Calculator
- Currency converter
- Cash in the local currency of your arrival destination
- Credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
- Money belt
Clothes
- Boots
- Undergarments
- Dress shirts
- Dresses
- Jacket
- Jeans
- Jumper, sweater or fleece
- Light jacket
- Long or thermal underwear
- Long sleeve shirts
- Pants or trousers
- Pyjamas/Sleepwear
- Sandals, shower shoes
- Shoes
- Shorts
- Ski clothes
- Skirts
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Suits
- Swimming wear
- T-shirts
Accessories
- Hat
- Bandana
- Belt
- Cotton handkerchief or tissues
- Eye-mask
- Gloves or mittens
- Jewellery
- Knitted (woollen) hat
- Raincoat or poncho
- Safety pins
- Scarf
- Sewing kit
- Ski glasses
- Suit bag
- Sunglasses
- Ties
Toiletries
- Anti-bacterial cream
- Comb or brush
- Cotton buds
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Earplugs
- Hair products
- Lip balm
- Make-up
- Mirror
- Moisturiser
- Nail file
- Razors
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shaving cream
- Sleeping pills
- Soap
- Sunscreen and after sun cream
- Powder
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
First Aid Kit
- Band-aids
- Diarrhoea tablets
- Insect and/or mosquito repellent
- Medicines/Prescription Drugs
- Motion sickness tablets
- Paracetamol, Tylenol etc.
- Rehydration salts sachets
- Small scissors
- Vitamin pills
- Thermometer
- Allergy medicines
- Sunburn relief
- Antibacterial ointment
- Eye drops
Other Items
- Backpack rain cover
- Batteries
- Books/ Ebooks
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Chewing gum or mints
- Key locks
- Cup
- Eating utensils
- Electrical adapter and plug converter
- Flashlight or torch
- Inflatable travel pillow
- International driving license (If any)
- International Student Identification Card
- Laptop or tablet
- Mobile phone or SIM card
- Passport photos
- Photocopies of important documents
- Sleep sheet
- Speakers for iPod, etc.
- Towels
- Watch
What not to pack
- Always wear the jewelry, avoid packing it in your luggage
- Do not carry any kind of sharp objects like knives, scissors, and blades. Because these items are banned on planes
- Don’t pack any kind of homemade food, because it could get messy
- Don’t carry deodorants, soaps, and other toiletries in bulk
