Study Abroad Packing List: Guide for U.S. Hosts + Students

If you’re getting ready to host an exchange student, you’re probably feeling everything from excitement to anticipation and, of course, a few nerves! Just imagine how your student must be feeling, as they prepare to pack up their life and travel to the other side of the world to live and study.

Speaking of packing, students often have a lot of questions about what to bring. After all, they’re trying to pack for a whole year (or at least a semester) in another country, climate, and school system. We’ve put together this study abroad packing list to help you answer any questions your student may have before they arrive, and to reassure them they don’t need to bring their entire bedroom with them!

Packing Tips for Your Exchange Student

As a host family, you play an important role in helping your exchange student prepare before they arrive. Packing can be stressful for students, especially if it’s their first time traveling abroad. By sharing these tips with your student, you can help them pack thoughtfully and arrive feeling more confident and ready to settle in.

Consider Airline Limits and Host Family Space

Students need to keep in mind that international airlines have baggage size and weight limits, and excess luggage can be costly. It’s also helpful to remind your student that they’ll be living in a shared home, not moving into an empty apartment. Let your student know what furniture, storage space, and basic household items you already provide so they don’t feel the need to bring anything bulky or unnecessary.

Research the Climate

We encourage students to research the climate in their host family’s area before packing, and you can share with them what a typical summer and winter can feel like. Suggest versatile, layered clothing, and reassure them that they’ll have the option to buy anything they feel they’re missing once they arrive.

Ask Their Host Family (That’s You!)

Packing is a great opportunity to start open communication. Invite your student to ask you questions about what to bring, what’s already available in your home, and what daily life looks like. Sharing details about laundry routines, school supplies, or household norms ahead of time is also helpful.

Check School Dress Codes

Many exchange students are used to having a strict school uniform, and may be confused by the dress code of a typical U.S. high school. You can explain what students typically wear at school and what might feel out of place, helping your student feel comfortable and confident once classes begin.

Don’t Overpack

Reassure your student that they don’t need to bring everything they own. Overpacking is very common among exchange students, often because they worry about not having what they need. Remind them that everyday items are easy to find in the U.S., and that packing fewer, more versatile items will make travel much easier.

Packing for a Year vs. Semester Abroad

Help your student think realistically about the length of their stay. For students staying a full academic year, encourage clothing that works across multiple seasons rather than separate outfits for every scenario. Let them know that shipping items later or buying things locally is often more practical than bringing everything at once. For semester students, packing lighter is usually best. 

Get Familiar With U.S. Customs Regulations

We recommend that exchange students review U.S. customs regulations before packing, as certain foods, medications, and other items may not be allowed into the country. They should double-check what’s permitted so they don’t risk delays, confiscated items, or unnecessary stress when they touch down.

Carry-On: Essential Items to Fly With

Checked luggage can be delayed or temporarily misplaced, but a well-packed carry-on ensures your student has everything they need to enter the U.S., get through the airport, and manage the first day or two comfortably. Here’s what we recommend students keep with them when they travel.

Required Documents

All official documents must be packed in their carry-on, never in checked luggage. These items are essential for boarding flights, clearing immigration, and completing arrival procedures. Students need to carry:

• A valid passport with their J-1 visa
• Required exchange program documents
• School acceptance or placement information

We also suggest they bring both physical copies and digital backups (saved securely on a phone or cloud storage) in case anything is lost or damaged.

Money and Financial Essentials

It’s important to discuss early with your exchange student how they’ll manage money during travel and upon arrival. Remind them to keep financial items in their carry-on so they’re accessible and secure. Common carry-on essentials include:

• Debit and/or credit cards enabled for international use
• A small amount of U.S. currency for immediate expenses
• Emergency contact information for their bank

Students are also encouraged to notify their bank of international travel ahead of time to help prevent card issues during transit.

Health and Safety Documents

Help your student feel prepared by making sure health-related items are easy to access during travel. These documents may be needed at the airport or shortly after arrival. We suggest that students keep:

• Health insurance cards or policy information
• Prescription documentation, if applicable
• Emergency contact details

If your student takes prescription medication, they should keep it in its original packaging and pack it in their carry-on rather than checked luggage.

Items to Make the Flight Comfortable

Long international flights can be tiring, especially for students who may be nervous and traveling alone for the first time. A few items can make a big difference to their comfort levels, including:

• Phone, charger, and headphones
• Tablet or laptop with downloaded movies or shows
• Reusable water bottle (empty until after security)
• Snacks, if permitted
• Travel pillow 
• A book or journal

Some international flights have free WiFi, but not all, so students should plan accordingly! Ask your exchange student to check with their specific airline for additional information on what amenities will be provided during their travels.

Study Abroad Packing List: Clothes

Clothing is often the biggest (and trickiest) part of packing to study abroad in the USA. Many exchange students worry about having the “right” outfit for every situation, which can quickly lead to overpacking. You can help your student by encouraging them to focus on comfort, versatility, and what they’ll realistically wear while living day-to-day with your family and attending school.

Everyday Clothing Essentials

If your student asks, suggest a simple, mix-and-match wardrobe made up of comfortable, versatile basics. Most exchange students rotate through a smaller number of outfits than they expect, especially once school routines begin. Encourage your student to bring:

• Casual tops and bottoms that can be layered
• Comfortable shoes for walking and daily activities
• Sleepwear and loungewear
• A few “go-to” outfits they feel confident wearing

Remind them that they’ll have regular access to laundry, so they don’t need a large quantity of clothing to get through the week.

School-Appropriate Attire

While many U.S. schools are fairly casual, dress codes still apply and can vary by district. Before packing, encourage your student to:

• Review the school’s dress code carefully
• Avoid clothing with offensive language or imagery
• Pack outfits suitable for presentations, special events, or school activities

Describe what students typically wear at school to help your student feel more comfortable and prepared.

Weather-Specific Clothing

Help your student prepare by talking through the weather in your area and how it changes throughout the year. Many students underestimate seasonal shifts, especially if they’re staying for a full academic year in America. Suggest packing:

• Light layers that can be worn year-round
• A jacket or coat appropriate for colder months
• Rain gear or waterproof shoes if needed

You can also reassure your student that bulky winter items or seasonal clothing can often be purchased (or sometimes borrowed from a host sibling/other family member) after arrival if needed, rather than taking up valuable suitcase space.

What Not to Overpack

You can help your student avoid overpacking by pointing out which items usually aren’t necessary. Encourage them to leave behind:

• “Just in case” outfits they don’t normally wear
• Too many shoes, especially bulky ones
• Heavy jackets or coats, especially in an area with mild winters

Remind your student that styles in the U.S. are generally casual, and they’ll likely buy a few items during their stay. Packing less makes travel easier and leaves room for more new things!

Personal Care and Toiletries

Personal care items are another area where exchange students often overpack. Many students worry about not having access to familiar products, even though most everyday toiletries are easy to find in the U.S. You can help your student pack more efficiently by clarifying what’s worth bringing from home and what can wait until after they arrive.

Toiletries to Bring From Home

Encourage your student to bring only the personal care items that are specific to their needs or hard to replace. This often includes products they use daily and feel most comfortable with, like:

• Prescription skincare, hair, or hygiene products
• Preferred brands that may not be available in the U.S.
• Contact lenses, glasses, and lens supplies
• A small supply of cosmetics that they regularly use

Remind your student to pack travel-size liquids for their carry-on and to place full-size items in checked luggage, following airline regulations.

What Can Be Easily Purchased After Arrival

Reassure your student that most basic toiletries are readily available at grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers across the U.S. There’s no need to use valuable luggage space on items that are inexpensive and easy to replace, such as:

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant
• Razors and basic grooming supplies
• Everyday cosmetics and personal hygiene items

Shopping for these items after your student arrives can also be a helpful way to get into the groove of hosting international exchange students and settling into daily life. 

Electronics and Technology

Electronics are often important for school, communication, and staying connected with family back home. You can help your exchange student prepare by focusing on what they’ll actually need day to day, and by clarifying how electronics work in the U.S. before they travel.

Must-Have Electronics

For most exchange students, a small number of electronics is more than enough. Common essentials include:

• Smartphone and a charger
• Laptop or tablet for schoolwork
• Headphones or earbuds for studying and traveling
• Any required device for school programs or coursework

Power Adapters and Converters

Help your student avoid charging issues by explaining that the U.S. uses different electrical outlets than many other countries. Most modern electronics (such as phones and laptops) are dual-voltage and only require a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. Students should:

• Bring a U.S.-compatible plug adapter
• Check device labels to confirm voltage compatibility
• Avoid unnecessary converters unless a device specifically requires one

Digital Safety and Backups

You can support your student’s digital safety by reminding them to back up important information before traveling. Lost or damaged devices can be stressful, especially if key documents are stored only in one place. Suggest that your student:

• Back up photos, school files, and documents to cloud storage
• Save digital copies of important paperwork securely
• Use strong passwords and enable device security features

Encouraging these habits ahead of time helps ensure your student stays organized, protected, and connected during their exchange year in the USA.

School Supplies and Academic Essentials

Most U.S. schools and host families already have many basic supplies available for students, but there are a few things they’ll need to bring for school, including:

• A backpack or school bag
• A notebook or two
• Pens, pencils, and highlighters
• A calculator, if required for specific classes

Let your student know that teachers often provide detailed supply lists after classes begin, and many materials are now used digitally rather than on paper.

What Schools and Host Families May Provide

U.S. schools often provide or recommend materials once students are enrolled, and you might have a few of these items at home that your student can use or borrow. Typically, schools and host families provide:

• Access to printers or computers
• Paper and basic office supplies
• Textbooks, digital textbooks, or online learning platforms

Giving your student this information ahead of time helps to ease some of the anxiety of traveling overseas, and means they can focus on settling in, getting to know their school, and adjusting to their new routine.

Medications and Health Essentials

Health-related items are especially important to plan for in advance, as replacing certain medications after arrival can be difficult. You can help your exchange student prepare by talking through what to bring, how to pack medications properly, and what’s easy to find once they’re in the U.S.

Prescription Medications

Foreign exchange students should understand the importance of bringing an adequate supply of any prescription medications they take regularly. In some cases, prescriptions from another country cannot be easily refilled in the U.S. We encourage students to:

• Bring enough medication to last their entire stay, if allowed
• Keep medications in original packaging with clear labels
• Carry a doctor’s note or prescription documentation (preferably in English)
• Pack all prescription medications in their carry-on luggage

Remind your student to check airline and customs regulations regarding medication quantities and restrictions before traveling.

Over-the-Counter Items

Most over-the-counter medications are widely available in U.S. pharmacies and grocery stores. However, some students prefer to bring a small supply of familiar products from home, such as:

• Pain relievers or fever reducers
• Allergy medication
• Motion sickness tablets
• Basic first-aid items such as bandages

Let your student know that brand names and dosages in the U.S. may differ from what they’re used to, but pharmacists are available to help answer questions. 

From Suitcase to School, AYUSA Supports Students and Hosts

For exchange students, packing thoughtfully helps ease the transition into a new country, school, and host family. For host families, offering guidance before arrival sets clear expectations and helps students feel supported from day one.

By sharing this study abroad packing list with your student, you’re helping them arrive organized, comfortable, and ready to make the most of their time in the U.S. A well-prepared student is better able to settle into routines at home and at school, creating a more positive experience for everyone involved.

At AYUSA, we know that successful exchanges are built on preparation, communication, and mutual understanding. From the moment students begin planning their journey to their first day of school and beyond, we’re here to support both students and host families every step of the way. If you’re ready to begin your hosting journey, start your AYUSA application today!