things to ask for before studying abroad
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!
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a good camera
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.
a portable charger
I’m sure we’ve all witnessed it first hand, but the battery on my phone lasts about three hours. Having aportable chargerwas 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 goodportable chargerwill 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.
universal adapter
Auniversal travel adapteris 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 qualityuniversal adaptercompared to the cheaper options.
refillable water bottle
In Europe 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 aHydro Flaskbecause it kept my water cold for a long period of time. However, once its empty it gets annoying to carry around. There’s alsowater-bottles that are collapsiblewhich make it super transportable and you can easily throw it in your bag once it’s empty!
travel journal
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.
reusable travel size toiletry bottles
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!
comfortable & fashionable sneakers
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 Sneakersbecause they’re both cute and comfortable!
a pair of cute booties
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.
a cross-body purse / satchel
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 anAnti-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!
tsa approved flexible lock
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
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