What to pack
Pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need—ideally in one small suitcase and one additional carry-on bag.
Clothing and accessories
Electronics
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 in case your checked luggage is delayed:
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 (Remember to leave one copy of it at home and bring a couple more copies abroad, in case your passport gets lost.)
- 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
- Carry-on bag
- Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
- Shirts (short and long sleeved)
- 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)
- An alarm clock (many hotel rooms don't have one)
- An adaptor/converter
- Camera with extra batteries or charger
- Travel documents
Carry-on bag
- 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 (in case luggage is delayed)
- Medication
- Any 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.