What to actually bring, what to buy there, and the documents you must not forget.
TipsBy Deniz · Jan 9, 2026 · 5 min read
You can buy shampoo abroad. You cannot buy your visa documents at the corner shop. Pack accordingly.
The non-negotiables
Passport + visa documents (and printed copies)
Admission/enrolment letter and blocked-account proof
Any medication with a doctor's note
One power adapter for your destination
Bring, don't buy
Pack things that are expensive or hard to find in your size abroad — good shoes, a warm coat for German winters, and a couple of items that make a new room feel like home.
📌Leave room (and weight allowance) for the bedding/kitchen basics you'll buy in the first week — it's cheaper than flying them over.
The day-one bag
Keep one small bag with documents, chargers, a change of clothes and some local cash on you — not in the suitcase you might wait for at baggage claim.
Documents folder
Chargers + adapter
Snacks & water bottle
A little local currency
“I overpacked clothes and underpacked patience. Bring both lightly.”— Tomáš, Bachelor student
Pack light, bring the paperwork, and trust that the rest is a short shopping trip away.
