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Phones have become a student’s lifeline abroad - maps, communication, tickets, payments, photos, and safety all live there.
A little tech prep before departure goes a long way.
1. Backups matter more than gadgets
Before they leave:
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Turn on phone backups
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Enable “Find My Phone”
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Add a recovery contact
If a phone is lost or stolen, this makes recovery or replacement straightforward.
2. Understand charging abroad
Most students will charge their phones in:
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Airports
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Trains
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Cafés
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Libraries
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Hostels
Using a wall outlet with your own charging brick is always the safest way to charge a phone while traveling. When students need to use public USB charging ports (at airports, trains, or cafés), a USB data blocker allows the phone to charge while preventing any data transfer.
After doing a bit of research, we chose to pack both a USB-C data blocker and a USB-A to USB-C data blocker. The USB-C version works with newer charging ports, while the USB-A version is helpful for older USB ports that are still common in airports and public spaces. They’re inexpensive, easy to pack, come in a two-pack in case one goes missing, and having both versions provides extra flexibility.
3. Bring more than one charging cable
Cables are easy to lose, forget, or damage. A backup takes almost no space.
4. Portable power banks are travel-day lifesavers
A portable power bank is one of the most useful items a student can carry during long travel days, flight delays, train rides, and weekend trips. We chose a 20,000mAh Anker power bank with a built-in USB-C cable because it’s powerful enough to charge a phone multiple times - and even handle a laptop or tablet if needed.
It supports fast charging, can power more than one device at once, and is airline-approved for carry-on luggage. I especially like that the charging cable is built in, which means one less thing to forget or lose while traveling - a small detail that makes a big difference when students are constantly packing and unpacking.
This isn’t something students use every single day but when they need it, they’re very glad to have it.
5. Wi-Fi + messaging apps are the norm abroad
Most students rely on Wi-Fi and apps like WhatsApp for communication instead of texting.
6. Turn on Wi-Fi calling
This allows calls and texts over Wi-Fi even when cell service is limited.
7. Keep it simple
Students don’t need every gadget - just reliable basics:
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Phone
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Charger
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Adapter
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Backup power
Keep going (these pair well with this post):
For a calm, practical checklist of travel-day reminders, read Before They Leave: 10 Study Abroad Reminders Parents Are Glad They Didn’t Skip.
For “nice to have” items that make travel and weekend trips easier, check out Small Things That Make a Big Difference During Study Abroad Travel Days.