Packing for a year abroad is a balancing act. Pack too much and you'll be lugging a suitcase you can't physically close across three airports. Pack too little and you'll spend your first week hunting for things you could have brought from home. Here's a practical guide based on what our teachers actually use, not what a generic travel blog thinks you need.
The essentials: documents and money
These are the things that will make or break your first week. Keep them in your hand luggage, never in your checked bag.
- Your passport, with at least 12 months of validity and several blank pages.
- Your visa documents, printed, plus digital copies stored on your phone and in the cloud.
- Your degree certificate and TEFL certificate, original plus printed copies.
- A small amount of local currency for your first few days (around £100 equivalent).
- An international debit card with no foreign transaction fees, plus a backup card.
- Your travel insurance documents and emergency contact numbers.
Clothing: less than you think
The number one mistake first-year teachers make is overpacking clothes. Asia is cheap, laundry is cheap, and you'll buy clothes locally that suit the climate far better than anything you bring from home. Aim for one week's worth of outfits, not a month's.
For teaching, you'll need smart-casual clothes. Think collared shirts, trousers or knee-length skirts, and closed shoes. Schools in Asia are more formal than you might expect, so leave the shorts and flip-flops for the weekend. A light jacket is useful everywhere, even in tropical countries, because air conditioning can be aggressive indoors.
Tech and electronics
Your laptop and phone are your lifelines, so bring the ones you're comfortable with. A universal plug adapter is essential, and a portable power bank will save you on long travel days. Don't bring a hair dryer or straighteners, the voltage is different and you can buy one locally for a fraction of the price.
One thing many teachers wish they'd brought: a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Shared accommodation, noisy commutes and long bus journeys are all part of the experience, and a bit of peace goes a long way.
Teaching supplies: mostly optional
Don't pack a suitcase full of flashcards and teaching materials. Your school will provide the curriculum, textbooks and basic supplies. What's worth bringing is a few small, lightweight items that add a personal touch: a pack of stickers for young learners, a favourite prop or two, and maybe a book or game that represents your home country.
Your TEFL training with TFT covers lesson planning and classroom management, so you'll arrive knowing how to teach. The resources will be there when you land.
What to leave at home
- Toiletries, beyond a week's supply. Everything is available locally, often cheaper.
- A year's worth of medication. Bring a small supply and arrange a local prescription once you arrive.
- Bedding and towels. Your accommodation will provide these.
- Heavy books. Download e-books instead, or join the local library.
- A sleeping bag. You're not camping, you're moving to a city.
The one thing you should definitely bring
Photos from home. A few printed photos of your family, friends, and your hometown will make your new room feel like yours within minutes of arriving. They're light, they cost nothing, and they matter more than any gadget you could pack.
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