Study abroad programs are a pretty fun way to go out and experience another country’s culture while working on your academics. No matter how old you are in life, there’s plenty of value in studying abroad.

Of course, there’s a lot of prep work you must do before you set out on your travels. It can be challenging trying to figure out what items you need to bring.

In this post, we’ll go over six essential items you should bring when you’re studying abroad.

Passport

One of the most essential items you need when studying abroad is a passport. You absolutely need to ensure you have your passport before your trip. Without a passport or a passport equivalent, you're pretty much stuck home.

You should also make it a priority to keep your passport safe. Now, that doesn’t mean you should always carry around your passport with you (that’s an easy way to lose it). Instead, ensure your passport is in a safe location at all times during your travels.

Travel visa

The rules, guidelines, and requirements on a travel visa vary, but essentially, a travel visa allows an individual to travel in a different country. Usually, it takes the form of a sticker document or stamp placed on a passport page.

Each country has its guidelines when it comes to travel visas. It's best to research what the policy is in the country you plan on visiting.

Other forms of identity

In addition to your passport, you might have to carry other forms of identity. This could be something like a student identification card or even your driver’s license.

It might feel weird to bring additional forms of identification you primarily use in the United States, but there will still be situations where you might have to use them. For example, your student identification card will most likely be necessary for school-related activities.

Insurance and medications

Travel medical insurance is necessary in case you fall ill or have an emergency medical expense. While it doesn't cover routine check-ups, travel medical insurance is necessary if you were to break a bone or contract a major illness that may require a hospital stay.

You should also bring any medications you normally take. Be aware you might not be able to get refills, so you should consult your pharmacist on how you can manage keeping up with your medications.

Phone

A phone is pretty much a necessity in most of your everyday interactions in the United States and traveling abroad isn't too different. In addition to bringing your phone, make sure you bring your charger. It can be a nightmare trying to get a replacement charger for your phone if it's an older model or unique brand.

You’ll always want to ensure you sign up or have an international phone plan when you’re traveling. If you don’t set one up, you might rack up expensive phone bills or not be able to make any international calls.

Laptop or tablet

Since you are still attending school, you’ll need to bring a device that allows you to complete assignments. For most, a laptop or tablet will suffice.

Like your phone, you should bring a charger. Trying to replace or get a new laptop or tablet charger can be even harder than trying to replace a phone charger.

Figuring out what you need to bring when you're traveling can be tricky. While this list isn't exhaustive, it should give you a better picture of what you absolutely must bring.

Always remember that there will be some items you wished you had packed, but it isn’t always the end of the world if you forgot them. Take a sigh of relief once you've finished packing and enjoy your time studying abroad.