Summer School Abroad Packing List: A Country-by-Country Guide

Pack for summer school abroad from the official list your school and the program provide. This guide is a general framework that complements that list: documents and medication first, then clothes that can be layered for the local climate, then a plug adapter that fits the destination and a few everyday essentials. Packing together with your child also gives them a sense of responsibility for the trip.

Below you will find the main differences by country, a category-by-category checklist and the questions parents ask most often. For a general overview of program types, see our summer schools page.

Why should the school’s list come first?

Every program issues a list that reflects its own set-up. The accommodation type, the planned activities and the flight baggage allowance all shape it. On a campus, for example, towels and bedding may be provided; with a host family the arrangement may differ. If the program includes sport or sea activities, extra items may be requested.

Our advice is simple: get the school’s or program’s list first and use this guide to fill the gaps. If the two lists differ, do not guess; ask the school’s project lead or the chaperone teacher. The list handed out at the school orientation is usually the most current one.

How do plugs, currency and summer climate differ by country?

Two things change the contents of a suitcase most: the weather and the plug socket. The table below gives a general picture for the countries where our programs run. Climate notes are general descriptions and can change day to day; checking the forecast in the week before departure is the most reliable approach.

Country	Plug type and voltage	Currency	Summer climate (general)
United Kingdom	Type G, 230V	Pound sterling (GBP)	Mild and changeable; rain is possible at any time
Ireland	Type G, 230V	Euro (EUR)	Cool and mild; rain is frequent
Malta	Type G, 230V	Euro (EUR)	Hot, dry and sunny
Germany	Type C/F, 230V	Euro (EUR)	Mild, sometimes hot; summer showers are possible
USA	Type A/B, 120V	US dollar (USD)	Varies by region; hot and humid in some areas
Canada	Type A/B, 120V	Canadian dollar (CAD)	Generally warm and sunny; varies by city

The practical takeaways:

• UK, Ireland and Malta: Plugs from Turkey do not fit; a Type G adapter is needed. The voltage is similar to Turkey’s, so an adapter alone is usually enough.
• Germany: Plugs from Turkey usually fit directly.
• USA and Canada: Both the plug type and the voltage differ. An adapter is needed. If a device’s charger or label shows a wide voltage range (for example 100-240V), an adapter alone is usually enough; hair dryers and straighteners often do not support that range.

The country pages include general notes on climate and daily life; see for example United Kingdom and Malta.

Which documents and copies belong in the bag?

Documents are the most important part of the luggage and travel in hand luggage. The passport and any required documents are prepared according to the document list the program provides. What is needed depends on the country and the passport, so follow the school’s and program’s list. For the general process, see our documents and visa preparation guide.

For copies, this routine works well:

• A photocopy of the passport and other required documents, kept separately from the originals.
• A digital copy of the same documents, held by a parent and on the student’s phone.
• Insurance details, the program’s emergency numbers and the chaperone teacher’s contact details on paper.
• Parent contact details and a short note on the child’s allergies or health needs.

Who carries the original documents depends on the school’s rule. In some groups passports are held by the chaperone teacher throughout the trip. Find out the rule at orientation and explain it to your child.

How should medication and health items be prepared?

For students who take regular medication, preparation should start early. The first step is to give the details to the school in writing with the registration form; the chaperone teacher and the program need to know in advance.

• Send medication in its original packaging, with the leaflet.
• Add a few days’ spare supply on top of the program length; flights can be delayed.
• Carry medication in hand luggage. Check airport rules for liquid medicines.
• Keep a copy of the prescription or doctor’s report with the medication. If needed, have a short English summary prepared.
• Some medicines are subject to special rules when taken to other countries. Confirm this with your doctor and the relevant official sources.

A small personal health kit is also useful: plasters, a pain reliever the child is used to (on your doctor’s advice), sunscreen, lip balm and any allergy medication. Remember that the program has its own first-aid arrangements; this kit is only for small everyday needs.

How do you build a clothing list for the climate?

The main rule for clothing is layering. Several thin pieces that can be worn on top of each other save space and adapt to changeable weather better than one heavy coat.

Core list for every country:

• Underwear and socks for the program length. If laundry is available, a week’s worth may be enough; ask the program.
• T-shirts and a few long-sleeved tops.
• Comfortable trousers or skirts, and one or two pairs of shorts.
• A light jumper or fleece.
• Comfortable, worn-in walking shoes; do not travel in new shoes.
• Trainers and sportswear if the program includes sport.
• Pyjamas and slippers.
• One smarter outfit for a social event or closing evening, if the program includes one.

Additions by climate:

• UK and Ireland: A light waterproof jacket, a second jumper and quick-drying shoes. Pack both short and long items.
• Malta: A hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, a water bottle, swimwear and a towel (ask whether the program provides one). Light, pale-coloured clothing.
• Germany: The core list for mild weather, plus a light rain jacket for summer showers.
• USA and Canada: Light clothing for the heat depending on the region, and a thin cardigan for air-conditioned indoor spaces.

Name labels on clothes prevent mix-ups, especially on campuses and in residences. This matters even more for younger age groups. Our primary ages 8-11 page has a readiness list specific to that age.

What should be left out, or kept to a minimum?

The lighter the bag, the easier the journey and the stay. It helps to avoid or limit:

• Expensive jewellery, watches and unnecessary electronics.
• Large amounts of cash. Pocket money is set within the framework the school decides.
• Lots of shoes and very large toiletry bottles.
• Items that may break program rules. If in doubt, ask the school.
• Food products. Some countries have rules on bringing in food; do not send any unless necessary.

What should go in hand luggage?

Hand luggage should let the student get through the first day comfortably even if the suitcase is delayed. Use the table below as a final check.

Category	Hand luggage	Suitcase
Documents	Passport, required documents, copies, emergency numbers	Extra photocopies
Health	Regular medication, prescription copy	Small health kit
Electronics	Phone, charger, adapter, power bank	A second adapter if needed
Clothing	One spare set of clothes, a thin jumper	Main clothing list
Personal	Toothbrush, small toiletries	Full-size toiletries
Money	Pocket money as set by the school, card	—

Remember that power banks can usually only be carried in hand luggage on flights; check the airline’s current rules.

What is the parent’s role in packing?

Packing with your child is more useful than packing for them. When a child knows where everything is, they can manage their belongings on campus or with a host family, and that helps them settle in.

An approach by age:

• Ages 8-11: The parent runs the list, and the child places each item in the suitcase. Leaving a list of contents inside makes packing for the return easier.
• Ages 12-14: The child ticks off the list and the parent does a final check. The readiness list on our middle school ages 12-14 page is a useful guide.
• Ages 15-17: The student packs; the parent checks documents, medication and the adapter.

Closing and weighing the suitcase the day before departure avoids surprises at the airport. Leaving some free space for the way home is a good habit too.

What should be checked in the week before departure?

The final week is for checking, not for filling gaps. This order gives a practical final check:

1. Documents: Are the passport and the documents on the program’s list in place, with copies kept separately?
2. Medication: Is there enough, is the prescription copy with it, and has the school received the health details?
3. Electronics: Is the adapter packed, do the phone and charger work, and are emergency numbers saved on the phone?
4. Weather: Check that week’s forecast for the destination city and review the clothes one last time.
5. Luggage: Has the suitcase been weighed and labelled, and does the hand luggage meet the rules?

Ticking off this list with your child also reminds them where everything is. Telling the chaperone teacher about anything missing that you notice in the final days makes it easier to solve on the ground.

How should the school share the packing list with parents?

A short note for school management and project leads: sharing the packing list as a single written document before orientation works best. If it includes the baggage allowance, plug type, a climate note, medication and document rules and the pocket money framework, repeat questions from parents drop. It fits easily into the “documents and timeline” part of the flow described in our parent information meeting guide.

How do we support your school’s preparation?

When we plan a program for a school group, we prepare a readiness list and orientation content with your school based on the country and accommodation type, and we answer parents’ questions in line with that list.

If you are planning a program for your school or would like to review your current packing list together, you can see how we work on our For Schools page and get in touch.