It can be both exciting and overwhelming to prepare to leave your home for five-six years of medical training in an overseas location. When you choose to prepare a detailed packing list for your medical schooling abroad, you will help yourself to avoid packing too much, while still ensuring that you have all the necessary and required items for attending medical school abroad. This guide will help you through the entire process of packing for medical school abroad, and include packing lists by category so that you can prepare efficiently for your move and stay abroad.
When planning your packing list for your medical schooling abroad, ensure that you keep the weight limits of the airlines you will be travelling with in mind, and therefore ensure that you are packing items that are essential for you to have and also that are going to be difficult or very costly to purchase in the country where you will be attending medical school abroad. Lastly, remember that you have the opportunity to ask family members to ship additional items to you later, or buy what you may have forgotten after you have settled into the country.
Essential Documents and Important Papers
- Primary Documents
Your documents are the most important part of any packing list for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) or any medical school abroad. You should keep all documents associated with your immigration and studies in your hand luggage, never in checked luggage. Your passport and visa (if applicable), original university offer letter, and all of your academic records (10+2, NEET score card) are absolutely mandatory.
Be sure to also carry multiple copies of all of your documents and store them in separate bags. These copies will help you out of a jam if your original documents go missing. Additionally, keep digital copies of your documents stored on your phone, email, and cloud storage service such as Google Drive for a total of three copies.
- Health Records and Medical Information
Be sure to include your medical fitness certificate, vaccination records, and medical prescriptions on your MBBS packing list when coming abroad. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, obtain your prescriptions as well. If you need medical treatment while abroad, it is very helpful to have a summary of your medical history.
In addition to the original prescription, you should carry at least three months’ worth of medications that you currently take. If possible, request that your doctor’s prescription be provided in English. Be aware that each country may have different rules regarding bringing medicines into its country, so make sure that you check with the appropriate authorities in the country to which you are travelling. Be sure to carry the required printed documentation of your medications as well.
Clothing Essentials
- Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Researching the climate of the destination city you will be travelling to will help you develop your packing list for the MBBS abroad. For example, heavy winter clothing would be necessary for Russia, while light breathable fabrics would be necessary for the Caribbean. Make sure to pack items that match the season you arrive in, and also have some items from other seasons as well. If you are travelling to a cold country, pack lots of thermal wear (at least 3-4 sets), thick jackets, winter boots, gloves, scarves, and woolen clothing. For moderate climates, find a balance between packing t-shirts, shirts, jeans, trousers, and a light jacket. As well as casual wear, you will also need to pack formal wear for university events.
- Traditional Indian Outfits
You will want to pack at least a few sets of traditional Indian clothing, such as kurtas, salwar suits, and/or ethnic clothing. There will be opportunities to wear these during university cultural celebrations, Indian festivals that are celebrated abroad, and embassy functions. So when packing for an MBBS trip abroad, there should be a balance between Western wear that is practical and also cultural clothing that connects with your roots.
- Formal Outfits
Make sure to pack at least two to three sets of formal clothing (shirt and trousers, or dress), as many medical universities require students to dress formally for some of their clinical rotations and practical classes, and a lot of the time, students are expected to dress formally for some lectures and/or exams.
Medical and Study Essentials
- Medical Equipment for Students
If your university requires a white coat, be sure to pack one for MBBS abroad. You should also check if your university provides lab coats or requires students to obtain their own. While in clinical years, you will need quality surgical scissors, forceps, and examination equipment.
- Study Materials and Books
Most of the medical textbooks can be purchased or downloaded digitally; however, it can be helpful to bring a few essential medical reference books. As a basic medical reference source, you might consider bringing the following types of reference books: an Anatomical Atlas (Gray`s Anatomy), a medical dictionary, or any of the other reference books that you are comfortable using.
Bring your notebooks, pens, markers, and other stationery supplies from India, as the prices for Indian stationery items and their quality are generally superior compared to those in many other countries. You will also want to pack a durable and strong backpack to carry your study materials and laptops to your classes.
Technology and Electronics
- Essential Gadgets
The above items are likely your primary electronics needed to carry for the MBBS study overseas. Be sure they’re functioning properly, have updated operating system software, and have all required learning apps installed. A USB external hard drive is an essential item to have in order to maintain backups of important documents, take notes, and create study materials.
You should have either an international roaming Plan on your mobile phone or an unlocked phone to use with local SIM cards. An e-reader or tablet allows you to carry most of your digital textbooks and reference books without the excess weight that would occur if you were carrying hard copies.
Essentials for Personal Care, Kitchen & Comfort
- Personal Care
The packing list for your MBBS study abroad should include personal care items necessary for your first few weeks of arrival; these will include toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, face wash, etc. Although you will be able to obtain these items in the market when you arrive, having them readily available upon your arrival simplifies your transition into the new environment.
- Medications/First Aid
Include in your packing list for study MBBS abroad a basic medical kit with commonly used medications (pain relievers, antacids, allergy medications, cold & cough tablets, antiseptic ointments, bandages), along with any medications you personally require. These items should be added to your packing list for MBBS abroad for common ailments that may arise during your time of adjustment.
- Ready-Made Indian Food
Include some ready to eat of Indian food items on your packing list for MBBS abroad. Instant food packs, instant noodles (Maggi) and pickles are examples of comfort foods in times of adjustment.
- Comfort Items
Include in your packing list for MBBS abroad a few photographs of your loved ones; these items are just as important for your emotional comfort while you experience homesickness during your transition period.
Expert Suggestions on How to Pack from EOCL India
EOCL India has been assisting students in transitioning to medical education abroad for many years. At least two weeks before you depart for your destination country, begin the process of packing. EOCL India offers extensive pre-departure orientations, where they will guide you on how to prepare a perfect packing list for your MBBS program abroad based on your chosen destination country. By following the country-specific packing recommendations from EOCL India, you can make sure that you do not make the same mistakes that many other students have made in the past. EOCL India will be with you before, during and after you transition into medical school.
