What to Pack when you’re Moving Abroad

When you move to a brand new country, it’s hard to know what exactly to carry on this journey. More often than not, you will have to blindly guess what stays and what goes, so it is possible for those decisions to be the wrong ones. Use our cheat sheet to make packing for uni a breeze, so long as you remember to ask all the right questions!

1. What don’t I need?

This may be a weird question to ask yourself but is nonetheless a very important one. For example, if the uni you are headed to has really cold weather, summer clothes like shorts might not be all that necessary and the opposite is the case in the reverse situation. There is absolutely no point in carrying unnecessary items just for the heck of it.

2. How much should I spend?

If you’re not a big spender and reluctant to spend on the smallest things such as tissue paper or soap, a viable solution to this would be to take as much stuff from home as you possibly can. This applies to household utensils, cutlery, kitchen equipment (that can fit in a bag), pillows, and most other things you can take with you to your student accommodation. Not only does this save expenses for you, but it’s also a great way to get your parents to chip in, and who doesn’t want that?!

3. What do I need?

The most important thing you need to take with you asides from the obvious is your sanity. Being in the right frame of mind when prepping for this exciting new phase will make the transition seem effortless. When you move to university, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, meet new people, try different things, and ultimately become a more evolved version of yourself. This cannot be done if you carry too much spiritual or emotional baggage when leaving home. It is important that your mental health, as much as your physical, be intact as you will need those for what comes next!

4. What do I like to eat?

This may not seem like much of a question, but you’ll be surprised by how much it asks of you. Eating well is often overlooked by new students as most have never actually had to oversee their own meals. If you are an international student, it doesn’t hurt to carry some comfort food that reminds you of home. It could be something as simple as a childhood snack for you’re feeling homesick, or some of your family’s classic recipes for when the mood strikes you. No student should have to compromise on the quality of their meals, so remember to pack accordingly.

We hope this handy guide will help you ease into life abroad a little bit quicker. For now and always, good luck!

Written by Arinze Ngonadi

View all stories