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Our Ambassadors Share Their Fave Study Abroad Gifts and Wishlists
IES Abroad
December 19, 2023
While we believe study abroad is a gift in and of itself, sometimes for the holidays, your birthday, or even a "treat yourself" day, it's great to plan ahead and ask for (or buy) things that will help you on your journey.
In addition to our handy dandy study abroad packing list, we asked our IES Abroad Ambassadors to share their favorite things they brought, bought, and wish they had during their international experiences.
What was the best item you brought with you for study abroad that would make a good gift?
“Definitely a power bank for your phone! You never know when you want to go for a spontaneous hike, walk, or trip and there are no outlets around. A power bank has saved me on many occasions from being lost due to my phone dying.”
Natalia Jamiolkowski • Drew University • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“I brought postcards from my hometown that I had on the wall of my room while studying abroad. For those that I met that had not been to my hometown it was fun to write little memories on the backs of the postcards and give them to my friends.”
Emma Ritson • University of Vermont • IES Barcelona - Business & Liberal Arts
“The best item I brought with me for study abroad that would make a good gift is a high quality versatile backpack. When traveling or going to class, it was extremely helpful to have a good backpack that I could fill with clothes or school supplies and bring with me virtually everywhere. Even when study abroad is over you can still use it indefinitely.”
Peter Marsh • Indiana University • IES Barcelona - Liberal Arts and Business
“I brought my host family chocolates from my home town, Dayton, Ohio, and they loved them! It was a nice way to show where I am from and share something together. I also got them a mug with the state of Ohio that featured different symbols or icons that Ohio is known for. ”
Heather Hanley • Denison University • IES Abroad Nantes
“The best item I brought with me was a high quality, versatile jacket. Milan and northern Europe in January and February can get cold, and it's always useful to have a high quality jacket that you can wear often (as you don't have unlimited packing space) to school, on trips, etc.”
Michael Dominguez • Villanova University • IES Abroad Milan - Business Studies
“A camera! I bought a CANON IVY CLIQ +2 prior to going abroad, and it was the best decision I made! The photos print out as stickers, so I was able to create a travel journal with all of my photos very easily. It also has an SD card, so I get the photos digitally as well. I'm so happy I had that so now my memories of those few months will live forever! ”
Ana Gonzalez • Tulane University • IES Abroad Milan - Italy Today
What was an item that you wished you had brought from home to study abroad?
“I wish I had brought a lined notebook - they are surprisingly difficult to find in Vienna! ”
Sarah Esslinger • Penn State University • IES Abroad Vienna - Music
“An item that I wish I had brought from home was an Apple AirTag. You never know what can happen with items while traveling as much as you might be abroad, and an AirTag or some sort of tracking device to put in a bag can relieve a lot of worry. Luckily, nothing happened to any of my things, but my friend actually lost a bag with an AirTag in it, and it was much easier to recover than if there hadn't been one.”
Michael Dominguez • Villanova University • IES Abroad Milan - Business Studies
“One item that I wish I had brought from home to Barcelona would be a keepsake to remind me of home/family. Having something like that in my room would have been nice and is something I would recommend for anyone to stay connected to home while away.”
Peter Marsh • Indiana University • IES Barcelona - Liberal Arts and Business
“I wish I had non-perishable food items that remind me of home. I'm Chinese American, and the place I studied abroad at did not have a lot of Asian food markets, so it was hard to find treats that reminded me of my Chinese culture. ”
Jackie Cheng • University of Texas at Austin • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“I wish that I had done a better job of collecting things like theater tickets, metro cards, and other things that I acquired along with the experiences. They don't cost any extra money, are easy to pack, and serve as a great reminder of everything that you've done! So if you get the chance, keep the programs, maps, and other random memorabilia! ”
Megan DiFranco • University of Rochester • London- Study London
“American Snacks! I love Italian food, but sometimes I would get homesick and miss boxed mac & cheese or just regular snacks that I would eat in my day-to-day. Luckily, my parents visited and they were able to bring some over to Italy, but I would recommend bringing some of your own for when you get homesick. ”
Ana Gonzalez • Tulane University • IES Abroad Milan - Italy Today
What was the best gift you got yourself while abroad?
“My favorite thing I got myself while abroad was any type of decor from the places I visited! I bought myself a lot of postcards, posters, and other paper items that now hang on my walls at home and remind me of my travels. One of my favorite pieces is a metal painted sign from Marrakech, Morocco. It is a fun art piece that lots of people ask about! ”
Elizabeth Kallies • University of Wisconsin-Madison • IES Abroad Barcelona-Communications and Journalism
“I tried to buy postcards to every new city, town or country I visited. I wrote notes on the back of each postcard detailing what I had done in that place which now serves as a makeshift memory book of my time abroad! ”
Emma Ritson • University of Vermont • IES Barcelona - Business & Liberal Arts
“I got myself a small painting from a local artist when I was in Dublin. I found this art market as I was walking around, exploring, and I came across this man who had beautiful mini paintings that were not expensive! I bought one and to this day, I love looking at it. It reminds me of one of my favorite trips that I took while abroad. ”
Ana Gonzalez • Tulane University • IES Abroad Milan - Italy Today
“I got myself a small plant from Romania that can be enclosed into a necklace. It was absolutely beautiful and I did a double take when I first saw it.”
Natalia Jamiolkowski • Drew University • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“A journal to record my study abroad adventures :)”
Sarah Esslinger • Penn State University • IES Abroad Vienna - Music
“A nice pair of Birkenstocks. I love Birkenstocks, and I decided last minute to pay myself a new pair since I knew it would be slightly cheaper in their country of origin, Germany!”
Jackie Cheng • University of Texas at Austin • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
Any advice for people looking to get a gift this holiday season for someone preparing to study abroad?
“For someone looking for gifts to give to someone preparing to study abroad, try and find items that would be useful and commonly used in the foreign country. Anything from a travel adapter pack to clothing items that might fit the different weather or clothing style abroad are all good options. Do your research and don't be afraid to pick something fun that is representative of home or abroad.”
Peter Marsh • Indiana University • IES Barcelona - Liberal Arts and Business
“Gifts I asked for during the holidays before my study abroad trip included a safe, clip wallet that would allow me to keep my cards close to my person at all times, locks for your suitcases and bags so they don't open up during travel, and a luggage weight that could be brought to weigh my luggage on the way home. More fun items would be things like a camera so they can capture their experience, a journal so they can write down their study abroad memories, or a pair of shoes that is both cute and comfortable to walk around in (as long as they break them in before their trip!”
Elizabeth Kallies • University of Wisconsin-Madison • IES Abroad Barcelona-Communications and Journalism
“I would advise people to find a gift that is unique to the place they're studying abroad. Try to find a gift that you know you could not get anywhere else. ”
Jackie Cheng • University of Texas at Austin • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“My advice would be to gift someone preparing to study abroad a portable charger and/or a travel adapter plug for their respective country because these are two things someone abroad needs to use every single day and something that's easier to get now, rather than last second. I know it's not super exciting, but having your devices charged while abroad is absolutely crucial for navigating and translating on the go!”
Claire Andreski • Santa Clara University • IES Abroad Nantes - French Language Immersion
Contact a Previous Student
Need more ideas to add to your list? Chat with an IES Abroad ambassador about what it’s like to be a study abroad student. Our study abroad advisors are also available for any questions you may have regarding visas, paying for study abroad, and more.
IES Abroad regularly publishes news stories, articles, student stories, and other helpful study abroad content. Stay up to date on the latest from IES Abroad by reading our recent posts.
“Definitely a power bank for your phone! You never know when you want to go for a spontaneous hike, walk, or trip and there are no outlets around. A power bank has saved me on many occasions from being lost due to my phone dying.”Natalia Jamiolkowski • Drew University • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“I brought postcards from my hometown that I had on the wall of my room while studying abroad. For those that I met that had not been to my hometown it was fun to write little memories on the backs of the postcards and give them to my friends.”Emma Ritson • University of Vermont • IES Barcelona - Business & Liberal Arts
“The best item I brought with me for study abroad that would make a good gift is a high quality versatile backpack. When traveling or going to class, it was extremely helpful to have a good backpack that I could fill with clothes or school supplies and bring with me virtually everywhere. Even when study abroad is over you can still use it indefinitely.”Peter Marsh • Indiana University • IES Barcelona - Liberal Arts and Business
“I brought my host family chocolates from my home town, Dayton, Ohio, and they loved them! It was a nice way to show where I am from and share something together. I also got them a mug with the state of Ohio that featured different symbols or icons that Ohio is known for. ”Heather Hanley • Denison University • IES Abroad Nantes
“The best item I brought with me was a high quality, versatile jacket. Milan and northern Europe in January and February can get cold, and it's always useful to have a high quality jacket that you can wear often (as you don't have unlimited packing space) to school, on trips, etc.”Michael Dominguez • Villanova University • IES Abroad Milan - Business Studies
“A camera! I bought a CANON IVY CLIQ +2 prior to going abroad, and it was the best decision I made! The photos print out as stickers, so I was able to create a travel journal with all of my photos very easily. It also has an SD card, so I get the photos digitally as well. I'm so happy I had that so now my memories of those few months will live forever! ”Ana Gonzalez • Tulane University • IES Abroad Milan - Italy Today
“I wish I had brought a lined notebook - they are surprisingly difficult to find in Vienna! ”Sarah Esslinger • Penn State University • IES Abroad Vienna - Music
“I wish I had non-perishable food items that remind me of home. I'm Chinese American, and the place I studied abroad at did not have a lot of Asian food markets, so it was hard to find treats that reminded me of my Chinese culture. ”Jackie Cheng • University of Texas at Austin • IES Abroad Freiburg - European Union
“I wish that I had done a better job of collecting things like theater tickets, metro cards, and other things that I acquired along with the experiences. They don't cost any extra money, are easy to pack, and serve as a great reminder of everything that you've done! So if you get the chance, keep the programs, maps, and other random memorabilia! ”Megan DiFranco • University of Rochester • London- Study London
“My favorite thing I got myself while abroad was any type of decor from the places I visited! I bought myself a lot of postcards, posters, and other paper items that now hang on my walls at home and remind me of my travels. One of my favorite pieces is a metal painted sign from Marrakech, Morocco. It is a fun art piece that lots of people ask about! ”Elizabeth Kallies • University of Wisconsin-Madison • IES Abroad Barcelona-Communications and Journalism
“My advice would be to gift someone preparing to study abroad a portable charger and/or a travel adapter plug for their respective country because these are two things someone abroad needs to use every single day and something that's easier to get now, rather than last second. I know it's not super exciting, but having your devices charged while abroad is absolutely crucial for navigating and translating on the go!”Claire Andreski • Santa Clara University • IES Abroad Nantes - French Language Immersion
