The Best Study Abroad Gifts: Handpicked by Our Ambassadors
IES Abroad
November 21, 2024
Some of the best gifts for study abroad can’t come wrapped in a bow: new friendships, a camera roll filled with incredible views, and the memories that come with a once-in-a-lifetime- adventure.
But the next best thing? Travel essentials to level up your overseas journey. From gifts to give your host family, to wish list worthy ideas to ask your loved ones for, our student Ambassadors share their top picks in a gift guide so good, you won’t want to miss it 😉.
What was the best local gift you received or got for someone else while abroad?
“I liked buying Christmas ornaments for my friends and family while abroad. They were typically really ornate and I liked being able to tell my friends and family about where I traveled to in order to buy the ornament.”
Stefanie C. • Villanova University • IES Abroad Madrid
“During a community-based learning class at my volunteer placement, an individual made me an African Worry Doll. The organizations that I volunteered at specialized in them, but it was very sweet that he decorated one and made it special for me. Going home, I bought all of my friends and family one as well.”
Anna M.• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill • IES Abroad Cape Town
“The Easter and Christmas markets at Schönbrunn and throughout Vienna have beautiful and handmade gifts! Look for unique pieces from small businesses and shops for the perfect gifts to bring home.”
Diana M. • Boston College • IES Abroad Vienna – European Society and Culture
The suggestions don’t stop there, here’s a few other intentional gifts from abroad for your host family or loved ones back home:
A board game
A book
A portrait by a friend or local artist
Chocolates or a box of local sweets
Local delicacies like Raclette from France or fancy olive oil from Spain (for the person who loves to host!)
What was the best give you gave your host family or received from your host family?
"While I did not have a host family, I exchanged a sweatshirt from my university back at home with a local student and their sweatshirt of their school, which was the University of Salamanca. It was a really memorable exchange!” - Woohyun K. • Amherst College • IES Abroad Salamanca
“The best gift my host family gave me was a keychain with a red Vespa on it. My host parents visited Italy within the first couple weekends of my arrival, and although they didn’t know me well at the time, had treated me like one of their own children and gotten me and my host sister matching keychains.” - Amelia J. • Bowdoin College • IES Abroad Nantes
On the hunt for others gifts that keep on giving? William F. (Whitman College • IES Abroad Granada) brought the kids in his host family hats from the local soccer team and Emma R. (Scripps College • IES Abroad Milan) suggests U.S. favorites like Reese’s chocolates or Old Bay seasoning to bring a piece of your culture to local friends!
What’s a unique item that people don’t always consider when studying abroad but it really made a difference in your experience?
“I personally brought a backpack separate from my school bag. I received a foldable backpack for the holidays and was pleasantly surprised to use it most weekends while studying abroad. It collapsed super easily, was water resistant, and could expand after buying merchandise from whatever new city I was visiting. When traveling, I would also keep an AirTag in my backpack just in case something was misplaced.” - Lucy M. • University of Tennessee – Knoxville • IES Abroad London
“A good pair of shoes. I came to Spain with super cute sneakers, but after walking 20,000 steps several times a week I quickly realized I needed better shoes. I bought a pair of platformed converse in Spain in 2022 that I still wear. It makes me really happy remembering that I bought them in Spain, and also remembering all the different places I walked while wearing them 😊”
Stefanie C. • Villanova University • IES Abroad Madrid
“Digital Camera! The iPhone camera is great, especially for sharing and storage, but the digital camera gives different vibes, produces aesthetically-different images, and reminds users to absorb the moment because it takes additional effort to use compared to the iPhone camera, which can become overused and lead to underappreciation of your experiences.”
Katie B. • Butler University • IES Abroad - Freiburg
Here’s a few other gift suggestions that our Ambassadors won’t be caught traveling without:
Portable Charger
A journal
Postcards—great for writing home and keepsakes!
Light weight, quick dry towel; perfect for days on the beach or for showers while traveling
Bonus tip from the IES Abroad Marketing Team: mid-weight scarf—keeps you looking stylish, and perfect for a blanket on planes and trains, covering shoulders while visiting places of worship, and keep warm when the sun sets or if travel gets chilly
Last but far from least, we asked our Ambassadors for a rapid fire question: If you could only have 1 item with you during study abroad, what would it be? Non-essentials only.
For the nostalgic traveler: a disposable camera, digital camera, or a phone with a good camera
Liquid IV Packets
A good pillow
A favorite piece of jewelry or clothing that reminds you of home
Comfortable walking shoes
And some recommendations from our staff!
E-Reader/Kindle
Coin purse
Wireless headphones (Pro Tip: noise cancelling are great for long flights!)
Crossbody bag
Water Bottle
Portable luggage scale
Carry-on bag for economy flights (who doesn't love maximizing under-the-seat storage?!)
Passport holder
As the holidays (and sale seasons) approach, here’s to feeling extra inspired on your quest to find the perfect gift to make your upcoming adventures, or those of a loved one, even more memorable.
And if this gift guide has you day-dreaming of turning your travel dreams into a reality, there’s no better time to take the leap. A life-changing experience is just a click away with our free application!
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“I liked buying Christmas ornaments for my friends and family while abroad. They were typically really ornate and I liked being able to tell my friends and family about where I traveled to in order to buy the ornament.”Stefanie C. • Villanova University • IES Abroad Madrid
“During a community-based learning class at my volunteer placement, an individual made me an African Worry Doll. The organizations that I volunteered at specialized in them, but it was very sweet that he decorated one and made it special for me. Going home, I bought all of my friends and family one as well.”Anna M.• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill • IES Abroad Cape Town
“The Easter and Christmas markets at Schönbrunn and throughout Vienna have beautiful and handmade gifts! Look for unique pieces from small businesses and shops for the perfect gifts to bring home.”Diana M. • Boston College • IES Abroad Vienna – European Society and Culture
“Digital Camera! The iPhone camera is great, especially for sharing and storage, but the digital camera gives different vibes, produces aesthetically-different images, and reminds users to absorb the moment because it takes additional effort to use compared to the iPhone camera, which can become overused and lead to underappreciation of your experiences.”Katie B. • Butler University • IES Abroad - Freiburg
