Pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need—ideally in a carry-on bag. See your airline's baggage policies here.

Essentials

• ATM card - Call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts

• Personal credit card

• At least $60 converted to the currency of the first country that you’re visiting

• Passport—required on all EF Study Abroad programs - Make a copy of your passport; leave one copy at home and take a couple copies with you in case you lose your passport

• Visas - If applicable

• A copy of the program itinerary

• A list of important phone numbers

• Copy of any prescriptions - Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its label, so all medication should be carried in its original container

• Health insurance card

• Addresses to send postcards home

Clothing and accessories

• Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes

• Short sleeve and long sleeve shirts

• Socks and underwear

• Watch

• Pants/shorts/jeans

• Pajamas

• Bathing suit - If applicable

• Dressier outfit - Reserved for a special night out

• Raincoat and/or umbrella

• Lightweight nylon jacket or fleece (rather than bulky sweatshirts)

• Toiletries

• Hand sanitizer

• Day pack

• Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing

• Any medications - In addition to a copy of any prescription

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Shampoo/conditioner

• Deodorant

• Hairbrush/comb

• Sunscreen

• Spare set of contact lenses/glasses - If applicable

Carry-on bag
Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the program. These should be packed in your carry-on so you have them available immediately upon arriving in your destination:

• Passport

• Money

• Airline boarding pass

• Toothbrush and toothpaste - Check tsa.gov for current security requirements

• Hairbrush

• Contact lens case/glasses - To sleep comfortably on the plane

• A change of clothes

• Medication

• Converter/adaptor

• Valuables

Service Learning programs
If you're traveling on a Service Learning program, we've created a detailed packing list of things to bring and keep in mind while working in and visiting local communities. Ask your Program Consultant for full details.