{"id":22486,"date":"2018-10-08T14:39:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-08T13:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/kit-survie-etranger-8-choses-a-emporter\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T09:29:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T08:29:30","slug":"survival-kit-abroad-8-things-pack-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/blog\/survival-kit-abroad-8-things-pack-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Survival kit abroad: 8 things you should really pack when you travel"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #21a0a0;\">Survival kit abroad: 8 things you should really pack when you travel<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"intro\">Have you found an <strong>internship abroad<\/strong>, a summer job, or do you simply want to discover the world?<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re happy for you. And a little jealous, we admit it.<\/p>\n<p>But have you thought of everything?<\/p>\n<p>OK, you\u2019re 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\u2019re leaving for several weeks, or even several months, this <strong>survival kit abroad<\/strong> will help you avoid a few very real struggles.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <strong>8 essentials to pack in your suitcase<\/strong>, or on your phone, before takeoff.<\/p>\n<header>\n<article>\n<header>\n<header>\n<header>\n<section>\n<header style=\"margin-bottom: 50px;\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 40px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udf0e FIND YOUR NEXT INTERNSHIP ABROAD<\/a><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/article>\n<\/header>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">The myth to forget: \u201cI\u2019ll figure it out when I get there\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the number one mistake made by new student expats.<\/p>\n<p>You tell yourself you\u2019ll 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\u2019s exactly when you\u2019ll need all these tools immediately.<\/p>\n<p>In short: prepare your <strong>travel kit<\/strong> before you leave. Your future self will thank you.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">1. A translation app, and not just Google Translate<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The leather pocket dictionary? We liked it too.<\/p>\n<p>But today, your phone does everything, better and faster.<\/p>\n<h3>The apps to install before takeoff<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DeepL<\/strong>: excellent translation quality, especially for European languages.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Google Translate<\/strong>: essential for image translation in camera mode and real-time spoken conversations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Google Lens<\/strong>: very useful for translating menus, signs or instructions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Quick tip: download offline language packs before you leave. You\u2019ll be able to use them without data or Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">2. An offline map on your phone<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You might say: \u201cI have Google Maps.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yes. But when your plane lands, you don\u2019t have a local SIM card yet and roaming is destroying your phone plan, Google Maps can quickly become useless.<\/p>\n<h3>The solution<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Download your city map offline on Google Maps using the built-in feature.<\/li>\n<li>Install <strong>Maps.me<\/strong> or <strong>Organic Maps<\/strong>, which work 100% offline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/articles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">As Lonely Planet points out<\/a>, <strong>offline maps<\/strong> remain one of the most reliable tools for taking your first steps in a new country.<\/p>\n<p>Bonus: if your battery dies, keep a small paper map in your pocket. It\u2019s old school, but it can save you.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-22484\" src=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Capture-decran-2026-06-04-a-10.22.58.webp\" alt=\"kit\" width=\"897\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Capture-decran-2026-06-04-a-10.22.58.webp 1736w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Capture-decran-2026-06-04-a-10.22.58-768x428.webp 768w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Capture-decran-2026-06-04-a-10.22.58-1536x856.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px\" \/><\/p>\n<article>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">3. A power bank and a universal adapter<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your phone battery is your number one tool abroad.<\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s also the first thing to let you down at the worst possible moment.<\/p>\n<h3>What to pack in your suitcase<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>power bank<\/strong> of at least 10,000 mAh, which gives you around 1 to 2 full charges.<\/li>\n<li>A <strong>universal adapter<\/strong>, because plugs are not the same everywhere: UK, US, Switzerland, Italy, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A spare cable, in case yours gives up halfway through your stay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s about a \u20ac30 investment, paid back after just one panic-filled afternoon avoided.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">4. A local transport app<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Google Maps is good. A <strong>local transport app<\/strong> is often better.<\/p>\n<h3>The must-haves depending on your destination<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Citymapper<\/strong>: London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin\u2026<\/li>\n<li><strong>Moovit<\/strong>: available in most major cities around the world.<\/li>\n<li><strong>TMB<\/strong> in Barcelona, <strong>OASA<\/strong> in Athens, <strong>Tallinja<\/strong> in Malta or <strong>BVG<\/strong> in Berlin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And let\u2019s be honest, we know you don\u2019t really want to read a metro map in Greek or Maltese. An app is your transport translator.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">5. Your documents in both paper and digital format<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some countries are very touristy, which can increase the risk of theft. And when you\u2019ve just arrived, you\u2019re not always fully alert.<\/p>\n<h3>The golden rule<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Scan your passport, ID card, internship agreement, insurance and visa.<\/li>\n<li>Email the scans to yourself.<\/li>\n<li>Store them in the cloud: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox\u2026<\/li>\n<li>Keep a paper copy in a different bag from your handbag or main bag.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can never be too careful, especially when going on an <strong>internship abroad<\/strong> or a long international experience.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">6. An international bank card and some cash<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In France, you may pay almost everything contactless, but that\u2019s not the case everywhere.<\/p>\n<h3>What to prepare before you leave<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>An <strong>international bank card with no fees<\/strong>, such as Revolut, Wise, N26 or Boursorama Ultim.<\/li>\n<li>Some cash in the local currency, for taxis, coffee or shops that don\u2019t accept cards.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid withdrawing money from airport ATMs: the fees are often very high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wise.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">As Wise explains<\/a>, a multi-currency card can save you several percent per transaction abroad compared with a traditional bank card.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">7. An eSIM or a local SIM card<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Roaming is the financial nightmare of expat life.<\/p>\n<p>The modern solution? The <strong>eSIM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>The possible options<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Airalo<\/strong>, <strong>Holafly<\/strong> or <strong>Saily<\/strong>: data eSIMs for many countries, activated in just a few minutes from your phone.<\/li>\n<li>Free and some French phone plans include data in Europe, which can be useful for short stays.<\/li>\n<li>A local SIM card often remains the most cost-effective solution in the long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to Nomadic Matt<\/a>, eSIMs have revolutionized long-term travel by gradually replacing old physical SIM cards.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">8. A mini first-aid kit<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No need for a hospital suitcase. Just the essentials to avoid everyday little problems.<\/p>\n<h3>What to put in your kit<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Doliprane or paracetamol<\/strong>: headaches are universal.<\/li>\n<li>Plasters.<\/li>\n<li>Smecta or an equivalent, for the first time you try local street food.<\/li>\n<li>Mosquito repellent if you\u2019re going to the tropics or the Mediterranean coast.<\/li>\n<li>Your sunscreen, essential in Malta, Barcelona or Athens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And don\u2019t forget: if you take regular medication, pack a prescription translated into English, just in case you need to buy more while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">The signature bonus: chewing gum and a travel guide<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>OK, it\u2019s not vital. But we do love our classics.<\/p>\n<h3>Chewing gum, because:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>It helps unblock your ears when landing.<\/li>\n<li>It saves your breath after 10 hours on a plane and an onion-based meal.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s a great way to start a conversation with your seatmate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And the <strong>Guide du Routard<\/strong>, or Lonely Planet, is still useful for finding good addresses that aren\u2019t always visible on Google.<\/p>\n<header>\n<article>\n<header>\n<header>\n<header>\n<section>\n<header style=\"margin-bottom: 50px;\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 40px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udf0e DISCOVER OUR INTERNSHIP OFFERS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/article>\n<\/header>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Why get support from Stud&amp;Globe?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Because going abroad is not just about packing your suitcase.<\/p>\n<p>At <strong>Stud&amp;Globe<\/strong>, we support you in preparing your international experience so your departure feels simpler, clearer and more reassuring.<\/p>\n<h3>In practical terms, we help you:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Find your <strong>internship abroad<\/strong> and, depending on the offers, your accommodation.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare your internship agreement and administrative documents.<\/li>\n<li>Guide you on insurance, visas or local SIM cards.<\/li>\n<li>Support you before, during and after your departure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back with unforgettable memories.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta\">\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Ready to pack your suitcase for your internship abroad?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019re happy for you. And a little jealous, we admit it. But have you thought of everything? OK, you\u2019re the kind of person who throws [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22488,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[648],"tags":[796,827,752],"class_list":["post-22486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students","tag-intercultural-experience","tag-student-life","tag-student-mobility"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22486"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22497,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22486\/revisions\/22497"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}