Checklist for International Students for Departure

Students admitted to universities abroad will face a long list of things to do before departing. While the most prominent aspects of the list will be regarding the visa procedures and financial aspects of departure, other factors like documents to carry and attest to, along with basic living essentials, will all be of equal importance for the student.

While the whole process can seem overwhelming for students, they will be nearly set for travel if they have the primary documents required and their visa procedures completed. Students traveling will require an F1 visa if they travel to the US or a student visa equivalent, depending on the country they are moving to. Next, they will require flight tickets that can take them before their admission date and allow them to settle in before their classes start.

After these two important things have been covered, students will have to deal with the task of packing essentials for the journey. Since most students move for at least a year or two and are bound to get homesick, they will have to pack essentials ranging from their documents to their favorite snacks to survive the first few months without wanting to return home.

Creating a Pre-Departure Checklist

Students traveling abroad for higher education often overestimate when it comes to packing the essential documents and items they will require in their new destination. Irrespective of the memory power the student might have, they must create a checklist as soon as they receive their admission confirmation. The list will help students have a sense of time and the number of things they have to do within the set period.

This checklist contains important tasks and lists of documents the students must carry while traveling. Students should also keep a list of essentials they must pack or purchase before their departure to ensure they have not missed anything.

Study Abroad Packing List

The kinds of lists students will have to create and fulfill before departing are as follows-

Required Documents

Keep all the necessary, important documents carefully in a folder to prevent them from getting damaged. Keep the documents that need to be accessed immediately in the hand baggage while the rest can be packed into the suitcase.

• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Flight ticket
• Passport size photographs
• Academic transcripts and degree certificate
• College address and any important correspondence from the faculty
• Admission letter
• Financial and any other documents that need to be submitted to the University
• Letter of Acceptance
• Student ID

Household Utilities

Students can purchase these items after arriving at their destination or carry the bare minimum, which will help them until they have figured out the best places to buy similar items. These things will help students planning to move to an apartment instead of hostels or dormitories inside the campus. Keep in mind that any sharp object will have to be put in the checked-in luggage.

• Basic Toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, and other personal hygiene products.
• Basic utensils for cooking.
• 1-2 bowls, plates, spoons, forks, knives, and glasses.

Electronics and Other Essentials

In this age and era, it is important to keep important electronics with them. Some flights might require the students to check in these items, while others might prefer to take them in the carry-on. It is important to check the rules to avoid any problems during security check-in at the airport.

• Torch-light and an umbrella.
• Batteries that are both ordinary and rechargeable.
• Laptop, mobile phone, and their respective chargers.
• Required stationery items.

Personal Items

The kind of personal items one might carry depends on the student. However, it will be ideal for students to go through the items they use in their daily lives and take them along instead of bringing along things they have not used for a considerable time. This list will range from clothes to gadgets students use daily or weekly.

• Start with clothes and carry a mixture of summer and winter wear. Throw in sweaters, jackets, and nightclothes, and make sure they are all machine-washable.
• Stock up on plenty of undergarments and socks.
• Limit the number of footwear to 1 pair of running shoes and 2 casual wear.
• Carry a good, long-lasting bag.
• Pack in the required toiletries with care.
• Throw in some bath towels.

Medication

Carrying a generic set of medications that will let the student tackle fever, cough, and cold will help the student during their stay. It is also advisable for students to carry a few months’ worth of tablets they usually have so that they will not run out of medicines before they figure out how pharmacies function in the country.

• Take medication used on a daily or weekly basis. Stock up for a month or two.
• Carry general medicines like anti-allergens and those for fever, pain relief, diarrhea, nausea, etc.
• Carry ointments for cuts, bruises, sprains, etc., that can come in handy.
• Carry prescriptions for prescription medications in case some questions are asked during the security check.

Miscellaneous Things to Do

Apart from listing out and packing the essential items for the journey, students will have to do a few tasks that will ensure their safety and security. This will include cross-checking the documents the student is carrying and taking enough copies of the attested and original versions of the documents they are carrying. Students will also have to check the validity and other features of their insurance.

It will also do them good to go over the financial options and aids they have chosen to make sure that they have their finances covered before they reach the country. This will include opening an international bank account, applying for credit/debit cards, and even getting bank statements at hand if required by the university/college they are going to.

Create Checklist After Researching the Country

Students must research the country and locality they are going to, along with other information they can find about the college or university they will attend. This will include aspects like the climate, food, laws, culture, etc., which the students will have to experience once they reach there. Knowing these aspects beforehand will help students lessen their cultural shock once they reach their destination.

Having extra knowledge regarding these aspects will also help students know what clothes and essentials they will have to carry without having to carry things they might not require in that particular locality.

Cross-Check Passport Validity

This is an important aspect that students must check before departure. While most students will have their passports made for their study abroad, students who have already had passports must ensure that they are valid for at least six months. Ideally, the passport should be valid for the duration of the student’s stay in the country to avoid the hassle of applying for a renewal.

Have Copies of Required Documents

Students must always keep attested and non-attested copies of the documents they are taking abroad. Keeping copies of the documents is essential, especially for the admission process, since students might be required to submit copies while enrolling for the course. It will also come in handy if the student loses the original document and needs to reissue it.

Have Electronic Copies of all the Documents

It is advisable to have scanned copies of all the documents, including each passport page, even the empty ones. Family members/guardians should also have access to these copies. This comes in handy in case of a problem with the original documents or theft.