If you’re studying abroad this semester, you’re about to face the ultimate challenge before you even board the plane: packing everything you need to live in a different country in one suitcase. You may freak out a bit as you figure out what to bring, what to leave and what’s actually essential.

Take a deep breath, collegiettes—we’re here to help! Before you rush to the airport, use this checklist to ensure that you have everything you need for your new home away from home.

Click here to download a printable version of this list!

In your carry-on bag

American cell phone and charger (in case you need to contact someone while you’re still in the U.S.)
Boarding pass(es)
Cash (bring American dollars and the currency of your host location or money you can exchange for it—enough to use in case of an emergency, but not more money than you can afford to lose)
Copy of birth certificate
Copy of Social Security card
Credit card (notify your bank that you’ll be abroad before you leave to avoid your account being frozen)
Debit card
Deodorant
E-reader or book
Emergency contact list
Face wipes
Gum
Hand sanitizer
Headphones
Health insurance card
Passport
Prescription medication(s) you usually take (make sure you bring enough refills to last your entire trip—but future prescriptions can go in your checked luggage)
School ID
Spare outfit (in case your luggage gets lost or delayed)
State ID
Student visa (or all the paperwork needed to get one in-country)
Travel itinerary
Travel pillow
Travel tickets (if you’re taking a train or other transport after your plane lands)
Wallet

Toiletries

Keep these in a plastic bag at the top of your checked suitcase.

Tip: To save room in your suitcase, buy standard items such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash in your host country.

Acne medication/cream
Face lotion/moisturizer
Makeup
Mini shampoo & conditioner (until you get the chance to get full-sized bottles in your new country)
Mouthwash (small)
Soap (mini bottle if you’re using body wash)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste

Supplies

Tip: Because of the voltage differences in many electronic products, you may want to wait until you’re in your host country to buy items such as a blow dryer or hair straightener—plugging an American hair dryer into an outlet converter could overheat and break it.

Bobby pins
Comb
Contacts, solution and case (again, make sure you have all the contacts you’ll need for your time abroad)
Glasses and glasses case
Hair ties
Hairbrush
Headbands
Nail clipper
Razor(s)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Tampons and pads
Tweezers

Laundry

You will likely have the opportunity to do laundry on your trip, and you’ll be able to purchase detergent in your host country.

Downy Wrinkle Release spray
Linens/towels (if your housing doesn’t have them)
Portable stain remover pen
Travel sheet (for hostels)

Clothing

Tip: Mixing and matching outfits and layering saves a ton of space in your suitcase! Make sure you check the predicted weather of the country you’re traveling to so you can dress appropriately. Don’t bring anything you’d be devastated to see ruined!

Athletic sneakers (1)
Bathing suits (1-2)
Boots (1-2)
Bras (2 sports bras, 2 regular bras, 1 strapless/convertible bras)
Casual dresses (2)
Everyday comfortable shoes (1-2)
Flats (1)
Flip-flops (1)
Formal outfit (1-2)
Gloves (1, if weather appropriate)
Going-out outfit (3-5)
Hat (1)
Heavier coat for colder climates (1)
Heels (1-2)
Jacket (2; a light one and one for colder weather, if applicable)
Jeans (2, one black & one blue)
Jewelry (remember that bringing jewelry to another country is always a risk; don’t bring anything too valuable!)
Leggings (1-3)
Long-sleeve shirts (3-5)
Pajamas (2-3)
Pants (1-2 nice pairs)
Purse (1-2)
Raincoat (1)
Scarf (1)
Short-sleeve shirts (5-7)
Shorts (2-4, if weather appropriate)
Skirts (1-2)
Socks (14 pairs)
Sweaters (3-5)
Sweatshirt (2)
T-shirts (3-5)
Tank tops (3-5)
Underwear (14)
Watch (1)
Workout clothes (2-5)

Electronics

Remember that most of your electronic items will need an outlet converter in order to work!

Camera (remember your case and USB cords)
Cell phone (keep in mind that you’ll be able to buy an international phone or SIM card when you arrive at your destination)
Chargers (laptop, phone, camera, e-reader, etc.)
Flash drive
iPod
Laptop
Laptop case
Outlet adapters (2-3)
USB cable

Medical

Tip: Remember to check if the medications you take are legal in the country that you’re going to by contacting the country’s embassy. Some over-the-counter medications are illegal outside of the United States.

Adhesive bandages
Allergy medicine
Birth control
Cold and flu medicine
Eye drops
Motion sickness medicine
Over-the-counter pain medicine
Vitamins

Miscellaneous

Backpack (small)
Gift for your host family (bring something that they couldn’t get in their own country, like memorabilia from your hometown)
Journal
Language dictionary
Map
Playing cards
Travel guide
Umbrella (small)