2019 Ultimate Study Abroad Holiday Gift Guide
15 Gifts Every Future Study Abroad Student Needs
By Julia Marshall
Before diving into this post, you may be questioning what qualifies me to write about 15 gifts every future study abroad student needs. Well... I studied abroad a few years ago, and there are things on this list that I did not have that would have made my life significantly easier during the few months that I was running around Europe. Additionally, there are other items below that I did pack that saved my life at times (quick preview: a phone charger and neck pillow for those long travel days!).
These gifts below are perfect for any student regardless of where they are traveling and for how long. Experienced travelers will tell you that there are so many things they wish they knew to do or bring on their excursions before they went, but the best part of their experience was the personal growth and knowledge they gained. However, if you want to save a friend or relative from learning these lessons the hard way, check out this list and get them a gift that they will surely thank you for!
Note: I listed these items in order from what I consider a necessity to what may be a more “luxurious” enhancement for their travels. Regardless, every item on this list will help the future study abroad students you know on their adventure of a lifetime!
#1: Universal Plug Adapter- $11.69
Something that many people overlook when it comes to traveling to other countries is outlets. Different regions of the world have different styled outlets, which requires devices to be plugged into an adapter. Rather than buying a country/continent-specific plug adapter, it is beneficial to invest in a universal adapter and converter combo since students will likely travel to other areas, such as the UK, which has a completely different outlet style than the rest of Europe.
These plug adapters don’t just ensure that users can charge their devices and use other appliances, they make it so they don’t blow a fuse due to the voltage differences between their appliance and the outlet.
Make sure that the universal adapter you purchase includes a voltage converter! The last thing you want is for your student to melt their iPhone because they didn’t have the proper voltage converter.
Tip for students: Always check to see if your device is dual voltage (110-240v and safe to plug in) or single voltage (110v and will blow a fuse if plugged in).
#2: Portable Phone Charger- $14.99
There is nothing worse than when your phone dies and you don’t have a portable phone charger on you so you can’t look up directions back to your apartment, forcing you to wander around aimlessly… trust me… I know.
A portable phone charger will literally save students’ lives in situations where they need to call someone, look up directions, check to see if their flight is delayed or do absolutely anything on their phone. There’s a very good chance that not many (or any) of their friends abroad will have portable phone chargers, so when everyone’s phone is dead they will be a savior for being able to plug theirs in and get everyone where they need to be.
Tip for students: Charge up your portable phone charger every night (if you used it at all during the day) and bring it with you EVERYWHERE. Even if you are just roaming around your host city, time can escape you quickly and if you are looking up directions, taking a million photos or texting on WhatsApp to meet up with friends, your battery can drain without you even realizing it.
#3: Portable Safe- $14.68
Most apartments, dorms, and AirBnBs do not have a safe/lockbox where you can secure away valuables or your passport. This leaves students to either keep everything valuable on them consistently or leave the items behind unsecured.
This is where the small portable safe comes in handy. This safe is super easy to bring on weekend trips as it is small enough to fit in a backpack. They can keep it in their living space to ensure that extra cash, passport, and any other valuable items are safe and sound.
It is equipped with a handy 1-foot cable that allows them to lock it to a stationary item preventing someone from taking the entire safe and their valuables inside. Users can also program the safe with a 4-digit personal code. Ease students’ minds by gifting them with this portable safe to have while traveling!
#4: Reusable Water Bottle- $35.95
I cannot stress this enough- no one should go abroad without a reusable water bottle! Water is a little pricier abroad and they also charge you for it at dining establishments, so having a water bottle handy at all times will definitely save students some money (which is always our goal).
Additionally, students will be doing a lot of walking while abroad and sometimes there’s no time to stop and buy a water.
I personally am a HUGE fan of Hydro Flask, as it is the best reusable water bottle I have had in my many years of playing in hot, long sports tournaments, going to the beach for the entire day, and traveling around. Cold water stays cold for 24 hours (ice cubes literally stay frozen for almost 8 hours) and hot beverages remain as such for about 12 hours when stored in a Hydro Flask.
There are so many different sizes, colors, and lids that you can choose from. I personally have the 40 oz wide-mouth bottle with a straw lid, because I cannot walk and drink from a wide mouth water bottle without spilling it all over myself, and I like to only have to fill up my water bottle twice a day.
#5: Neck pillow, Eye mask & Earplugs Combo- $21.99
This trio package is a steal, especially for the quality of the items! Every study abroad student spends copious amounts of time in cars, trains, buses, boats, or planes traveling between cities, countries or even continents.
A neck pillow is a major necessity if they don’t want to have a stiff neck and would like to be able to doze off for a few hours instead of staring out the window counting down the seconds until they can jump in bed.
An eye mask is a great item to have for those who are sensitive to light and cannot nap during the daytime or are annoyed by the light radiating from electronic devices, street lamps and other things at night.
Earplugs are also a must for light sleepers, because there’s no way to know whether or not there will be a baby screaming in the vicinity for six hours, you have noisy flatmates, lots of street noise. Not having earplugs is a risk no one should be willing to take.
#6: Hanging Toiletry Bag- $29.97
Have you ever had that awkward moment when you don’t know where to put your toiletries because there is no counter in the bathroom?
Should you put them on the toilet seat cover or on the floor that you aren’t sure when the last time someone washed it or maybe even in the shower with you where you risk soaking everything?
Honestly, none of these options are a fan favorite.
Unfortunately, I have done them all and questioning the sanity of the hygiene products you are using is not something you should be forced to do. So, get your friend or relative a hanging toiletry bag that they can put on the door of the bathroom or on the outside of the shower stall to avoid having to become creative with how to keep toiletries dry and within arm’s reach. Plus it’s also a great compact storage unit!
#7: Shoe Bags- $9.99
Study abroad students will be walking on many roads, dirt and paved, cleaned and not cleaned, for many, many days. Instead of having to clean their shoes every time they need to pack them for their next trip, invest in some shoe bags that will keep their shoes separate from other luggage items so they are not exposed to the dirt and germs that lie beneath the soles. I will never be making that mistake again… and neither will your friend or relative if you spend a mere ten bucks on this gift.
#8: Airplane Blanket- $26.95
If you’ve been on a plane you know that it tends to be a bit frigid as it’s easier for passengers to warm up than cool down. Your friend or relative who will be studying abroad will learn this sooner rather than later, and they may not have packed accordingly. Equipping them with an airplane blanket is very thoughtful because not only will it keep them warm, it will be a source of comfort. I am much calmer flying in a plane when there’s something wrapped around me than when I am free to flail my arms and legs around. Some airlines do pass out free blankets for longer flights, but they are usually cheap, smell weird, and only cover your legs.
#9: The Study Abroad Journal - $19.99
There are so many amazing adventures students go on during their time abroad, and from experience, I can tell you that eventually it all becomes a blur and it feels as if you never actually studied abroad (because it was too good to be real). A journal is a gift that keeps on giving.
Students are able to reflect on their experiences and document what they did and keep it forever. Pictures may be worth a thousand words but words are worth more. Being able to read about the emotions they were feeling, the challenges they endured and the successes they had during their time abroad will be such an empowering and emotional thing for study abroad students a month, a year or twenty years after they went abroad.
The Study Abroad Journal was created by two study abroad alumni and travel industry professionals wanting to help students not only reflect on their experience, but also create a plan on how they will get the most out of their time abroad.
#10: Waterproof Digital Cameras- $79.95
While a lot of people like to use their smartphones to take pictures of their travels, some people enjoy holding a physical camera and playing with the settings they offer users. A waterproof digital camera is the ideal camera to give students studying abroad, because the weather changes in the blink of an eye.
There’s nothing worse than scrambling to hide your $500 Nikon camera that absolutely cannot get wet. Those professional cameras are also huge and heavy to lug around, which sometimes deters students from packing them in the first place. This digital camera is small, waterproof, pretty inexpensive and takes quality pictures.
#11: GoPro- $399.00
If you have the cash to spare and know your friend or relative is an adrenaline junkie, then the GoPro may be the way to go! There are so many opportunities for study abroad students to make amazing adventure videos with all of the cool excursions and activities they have access to (and for not that much money).
Some people may not be into creating written documentation of their travels, but recording video documentaries could be of interest to them. If so, then this is the gift to get that student! BONUS: The GoPro is waterproof too!
Tip for students: Check out some YouTube videos on how to use your GoPro and to see some cool footage other adrenaline junkies took using their device as inspiration for your travels!
#12: Airbnb Gift Cards- $25.00 and above
By now you should get the idea that your friend or relative is going to be on the move almost every day, whether it’s exploring their host city or venturing to another country for a weekend, so why not help fund their wanderlust.
Buy them an Airbnb gift card! I guarantee they will use this at some point while abroad, because while hostels and hotels are nice accommodations for some people, study abroad students who have little travel experience are usually most comfortable staying in Airbnbs with their travel companions. Airbnbs can be a more financially viable option than hostels or hotels.
This accommodation also allows travelers to live like locals because they are staying in an apartment or house in a residential area of that city as opposed to the touristy, city center!
#13: Personalized Passport Holder- $13.99
No one likes the scare that comes from rummaging through your belongings at the airport and not being able to spot your passport because it blends in with all of the other items you packed.
So buy your friend or relative a personalized passport holder! All you have to do is send them this link and have them customize the look and then you put it in your cart and pay! The more distinguishable their passport holder is, the easier it will be to quickly find it in the mix of their other items.
#14: Anywhere Travel Guide Cards- $12.95
If you ask your friend or relative, they will tell you that there are a million “study abroad guides” that get passed around from alumni to new study abroad students (especially within Greek life organizations on campuses). These guides usually list all of the same popular places that most study abroad students visit.
Sure they list good food deals or the most Instagram-able spots in a city, but typically they are all very touristy.
Tip for students: You should venture off the beaten path and have a different study abroad experience than those who went before you.
These Anywhere Travel Guide Cards are a super unique way of easing students out of their comfort zone and helping them to discover hidden gems while they travel to new cities. Sometimes travelers just need to use their imagination instead of their iPhone to find ways to maximize their experience abroad, and these cards can push them in the right direction.
#15: Scratch Off Maps- $25.99
Now, this could be a gift to give study abroad students before or after they’ve actually gone abroad. If given to them before they leave the U.S., a scratch-off map can serve as motivation to travel to the places on their bucket list.
But, if given to them after they’ve studied abroad, this gift can remind them of how far they’ve come in just a few weeks or months. Either way, you will have an ecstatic friend or relative if you surprise them with this unique travel-themed gift. I just got one two years later, and I loved scratching off the places I’ve visited!
BONUS IDEA: Give Local Currency
If for some reason your friend/relative has everything on this list or wouldn’t want anything here then I guarantee they will appreciate money! Give them some of their future host city’s currency (which your bank or AAA should be able to get for you).
You can always withdrawal local cash from an ATM upon arrival or exchange US dollars in the host city (you will probably get a bad exchange rate though), but arriving with some local currency can give you peace of mind, and it’s pretty cool to arrive in a new country ready to live it up!