In September 2021, I moved from Charleston, South Carolina to a small town outside of Geneva, Switzerland for a study abroad program. There were some items I bought ahead of time that I used almost every day and some others that I bought after I had already moved that I couldn’t have survived without. While already dealing with the stress of adjusting to studying abroad, my life would have been infinitely more difficult without these items. Keep reading so you’re prepared for your trip of a lifetime too!

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1. Power Converter

You probably know that different countries have different plug and outlet shapes, so it’s useful to purchase either a power converter or adapter before moving abroad. The difference between the adapter and converter is the amount of electricity passing into your device. In the US, the supply voltage is around 120 V and our appliances run on that voltage, whereas the supply voltage in Europe is around 220 V. This can spell trouble if you’re using a single voltage item (typically older hair dryers and irons) that can’t handle the power overload in Europe. A converter will adjust this the incoming power so your appliances don’t overload. While this isn’t always a huge issue in newer appliances, I think it’s better to be safe with these appliances, and it can often double as a power strip too.

Here’s my recommendation:

2. Vacuum Seal Bags

I’m an overpacker, and these things SAVED my life! Pack them with clothes, seal the bag, and use a vacuum to remove the excess air and compress the bag. I was able to pack about 4x as much with these bags. There are also bags that you can roll up yourself to remove the excess air, but I found they didn’t compress as much, so I would make your purchase choice based on if you’ll have access to a vacuum in both locations.

Here’s my recommendation:

3. A long coat, scarf, hat, and gloves

Ok, so this may just be because I’m a naive southerner, but only item I had from this combo when I moved to Switzerland was the long coat. Even if you’re not moving to a particularly cold place, these items could end up being necessary for a small side trip or hike, so it’s good to have them just in case!

4. A GOOD pair of walking shoes

I walked so much while living in Europe. I usually walked around 3 miles just in my commute to and from school and would hit around 10 miles when I was traveling, so a good pair of shoes is incredibly necessary to avoid any nasty blisters. Brooks shoes were great, especially because I’ve struggled with tendonitis, so I often have pain just with walking.

Here’s my recommendation:

5. A small crossbody purse

It’s definitely safer to keep your phone and wallet in a small bag than in your pocket, especially a bag that zips, and crossbody bags are more secure than over the shoulder bags in terms of being snatched. Carrying a bag also enables you to keep any extra necessary documents or your passport with you when you’re away from home. I’ve always used a crossbody bag and have never had any issues with pickpocketing.

Here’s my recommendation:

6. Ibuprofen

One thing I really struggled to find while I was abroad was pain medication and even when I could, it was often very expensive and not very many pills. I would recommend bringing a pretty big bottle of Ibuprofen with you, as well as any other over-the-counter medications like allergy or motion sickness medicine.

7. A microfiber towel and washcloth

If you’re going to be traveling around and staying in hostels, I would recommend bringing a towel set with you. You often have to pay extra for towels in hostels and many don’t have washcloths at all. Microfiber towels can generally be packed into a smaller space and dry faster than normal towels, so they’re easier to take on small trips.

Here’s my recommendation:

8. Coin purse

I had a tendency to throw away coins in the US, other than saving quarters for parking meters, but that changed after my time in Europe. In Switzerland, single coins had values as high as 5 franc (equivalent to around $5). I wasn’t throwing those away! I ended up buying a small coin purse to keep my cash and coins in during my time abroad.

Here’s my recommendation:

9. Compact-able tote bag

This may be because my school shared a campus with a shopping mall, but I was often coming home with little purchases. Usually you get charged for shopping bags, so I bought a reusable shopping bag pretty early on and kept it in its compacted form in my purse until I needed it.

Here’s my recommendation:

10. Padlocks

From the moment I entered the airport in the US to the moment I left that same airport four months later, I always kept padlocks on my suitcases when I was away from home. This doesn’t save them from being stolen, but it can ensure no one is able to take anything out of them while you’re not looking. It’s an extra layer of added security and peace of mind. Make sure to buy padlocks with the TSA symbol on it so that they’re still able to open your luggage while your bags are checked with the airline, otherwise they’ll just cut the padlock off.

Here’s my recommendation:

Happy travels! 🙂