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A Framed Family Photo
One of the most common reasons why exchange students cut their stay short is homesickness. 70% of students are impacted by homesickness in their first semester abroad already. For this reason, exchange coordinators often recommend students take a framed family photo to put up in their room when abroad. This helps remind them of the support they have at home and that their family is still there for them even if they are in a different place.
This may seem like a simple solution, but it has proved very effective, as it significantly decreases the risk of students withdrawing from the exchange. This doesn’t just apply to students who are expecting to be homesick or apprehensive of the exchange, but to more confident exchange students too, as most students will have a crisis or low point at some point during their stay.
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Musical Instruments & Sports Kits
Another common reason that exchange students don’t integrate and end their stay early is a lack of participation in community activities. This is a crucial element not just for enjoying their stay, but also because joining student clubs can reduce culture shock stress by 30%. There are a lot of things to transport for an exchange and often space is limited, so many underestimate the importance of carrying on activities such as playing in a sports team or a musical ensemble.
Sports kits and musical instruments can take up space, but they are important for exchange students. They help students take part in the local community, join a team or an orchestra, connect with other students and local residents, and continue practicing while improving their skills.
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Medication & Skincare
When moving abroad, one of the most noticeable changes to students’ everyday life is navigating new everyday products around them. While basic medication, like antihistamines or painkillers, will likely be available in the host country, not every brand or formulation works the same for everyone, as carrier substances can differ even if the active ingredient is the same. It can take some time for students to find the products that work best for them in the host country. It is important that students have medication with them that they know is effective as a reliable fallback option.
Feeling unwell can prevent students from integrating and socialising in their host country. Conditions such as hayfever can also cause self-consciousness, making socialising harder. The advice to take something that works from home also applies to skincare, especially for students prone to acne or other skin conditions, which can come with the same self-confidence issues. Having products from home that support health and wellbeing can be essential in helping students step out of their comfort zone.
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A Backpack & Sturdy Shoes for Day Trips
An exchange year typically has several emotional phases for students. First, there is a honeymoon phase, in which everything is new and exciting. This is often followed by the 2-3-month crisis in which the excitement abates, daily life becomes routine, and emotional fatigue sets in. In this phase, it can be helpful for students to remind themselves of the excitement and adventure that brought them on their exchange.
Going out on a day trip to a new place now and again can be great motivation for students to keep exploring and stay curious about their host country. Having a trusty backpack and comfortable walking shoes can make stepping out for the day easier. Students won’t have to worry about buying equipment before they go.
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Plenty of Adapters
Taking an adapter to plug in devices abroad will be obvious to anyone travelling. However, bringing only one adapter can easily lead to some starting issues when multiple devices can’t be used at the same time. For example, if the phone is plugged in at night, the laptop may be out of charge in the morning.
As adapters aren’t necessarily sold everywhere, and it can be difficult to find someone to borrow one from, it can really just make students’ lives easier to have one adapter for every device they have taken from home, especially at the start of the exchange when there is a lot to do and organise.
Asad Mirza, Logistics Specialist at Cargo Force, says:
“Exchange students often miss simple comforts from home, like familiar snacks, toiletries, or personal items that make them feel at ease. Having small things on hand, such as a favorite mug, a cosy blanket, or photos of family and friends, can make a big difference and help them feel more settled, confident, and ready to explore their new surroundings.”
