Survival kit abroad: 8 things you should really pack when you travel

Have you found an internship abroad, a summer job, or do you simply want to discover the world?

We’re happy for you. And a little jealous, we admit it.

But have you thought of everything?

OK, you’re the kind of person who throws two T-shirts and a pair of jeans into a backpack and jumps on a plane. We love that mindset. But if you’re leaving for several weeks, or even several months, this survival kit abroad will help you avoid a few very real struggles.

Here are the 8 essentials to pack in your suitcase, or on your phone, before takeoff.

The myth to forget: “I’ll figure it out when I get there”

This is the number one mistake made by new student expats.

You tell yourself you’ll find a local SIM card, a bank, a transport app or a doctor once you arrive. The problem? Your first few hours abroad are often the most stressful. And that’s exactly when you’ll need all these tools immediately.

In short: prepare your travel kit before you leave. Your future self will thank you.

1. A translation app, and not just Google Translate

The leather pocket dictionary? We liked it too.

But today, your phone does everything, better and faster.

The apps to install before takeoff

• DeepL: excellent translation quality, especially for European languages.
• Google Translate: essential for image translation in camera mode and real-time spoken conversations.
• Google Lens: very useful for translating menus, signs or instructions.

Quick tip: download offline language packs before you leave. You’ll be able to use them without data or Wi-Fi.

2. An offline map on your phone

You might say: “I have Google Maps.”

Yes. But when your plane lands, you don’t have a local SIM card yet and roaming is destroying your phone plan, Google Maps can quickly become useless.

The solution

• Download your city map offline on Google Maps using the built-in feature.
• Install Maps.me or Organic Maps, which work 100% offline.

As Lonely Planet points out, offline maps remain one of the most reliable tools for taking your first steps in a new country.

Bonus: if your battery dies, keep a small paper map in your pocket. It’s old school, but it can save you.

3. A power bank and a universal adapter

Your phone battery is your number one tool abroad.

And it’s also the first thing to let you down at the worst possible moment.

What to pack in your suitcase

• A power bank of at least 10,000 mAh, which gives you around 1 to 2 full charges.
• A universal adapter, because plugs are not the same everywhere: UK, US, Switzerland, Italy, etc.
• A spare cable, in case yours gives up halfway through your stay.

It’s about a €30 investment, paid back after just one panic-filled afternoon avoided.

4. A local transport app

Google Maps is good. A local transport app is often better.

The must-haves depending on your destination

• Citymapper: London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin…
• Moovit: available in most major cities around the world.
• TMB in Barcelona, OASA in Athens, Tallinja in Malta or BVG in Berlin.

And let’s be honest, we know you don’t really want to read a metro map in Greek or Maltese. An app is your transport translator.

5. Your documents in both paper and digital format

Some countries are very touristy, which can increase the risk of theft. And when you’ve just arrived, you’re not always fully alert.

The golden rule

• Scan your passport, ID card, internship agreement, insurance and visa.
• Email the scans to yourself.
• Store them in the cloud: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox…
• Keep a paper copy in a different bag from your handbag or main bag.

You can never be too careful, especially when going on an internship abroad or a long international experience.

6. An international bank card and some cash

In France, you may pay almost everything contactless, but that’s not the case everywhere.

What to prepare before you leave

• An international bank card with no fees, such as Revolut, Wise, N26 or Boursorama Ultim.
• Some cash in the local currency, for taxis, coffee or shops that don’t accept cards.
• Avoid withdrawing money from airport ATMs: the fees are often very high.

As Wise explains, a multi-currency card can save you several percent per transaction abroad compared with a traditional bank card.

7. An eSIM or a local SIM card

Roaming is the financial nightmare of expat life.

The modern solution? The eSIM.

The possible options

• Airalo, Holafly or Saily: data eSIMs for many countries, activated in just a few minutes from your phone.
• Free and some French phone plans include data in Europe, which can be useful for short stays.
• A local SIM card often remains the most cost-effective solution in the long term.

According to Nomadic Matt, eSIMs have revolutionized long-term travel by gradually replacing old physical SIM cards.

8. A mini first-aid kit

No need for a hospital suitcase. Just the essentials to avoid everyday little problems.

What to put in your kit

• Doliprane or paracetamol: headaches are universal.
• Plasters.
• Smecta or an equivalent, for the first time you try local street food.
• Mosquito repellent if you’re going to the tropics or the Mediterranean coast.
• Your sunscreen, essential in Malta, Barcelona or Athens.

And don’t forget: if you take regular medication, pack a prescription translated into English, just in case you need to buy more while you’re there.

The signature bonus: chewing gum and a travel guide

OK, it’s not vital. But we do love our classics.

Chewing gum, because:

• It helps unblock your ears when landing.
• It saves your breath after 10 hours on a plane and an onion-based meal.
• It’s a great way to start a conversation with your seatmate.

And the Guide du Routard, or Lonely Planet, is still useful for finding good addresses that aren’t always visible on Google.

Why get support from Stud&Globe?

Because going abroad is not just about packing your suitcase.

At Stud&Globe, we support you in preparing your international experience so your departure feels simpler, clearer and more reassuring.

In practical terms, we help you:

• Find your internship abroad and, depending on the offers, your accommodation.
• Prepare your internship agreement and administrative documents.
• Guide you on insurance, visas or local SIM cards.
• Support you before, during and after your departure.

You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back with unforgettable memories.