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Preparing to study abroad can feel overwhelming. There are so many items a student might want at their destination, from must-have necessities to other non-essentials that will make their study abroad experience more comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re searching for gifts for a student in your life who is about to embark on a study abroad program in 2025, these fun and practical study abroad gifts are sure to give you both some peace of mind.
Here are 10 of the best holiday gift ideas for study abroad students in 2025:
1. Eco-Friendly, Pocket-Sized Travel Journal
Studying abroad goes by in a flash, and a travel journal is the perfect way to preserve every incredible memory. Writing in a journal can help students reflect on the highs of their journey while also working through potential challenges like culture shock. This sustainable, pocket-sized writing journal is perfect for capturing ideas, planning adventures, sketching sights, or reflecting on experiences. We guarantee that this thoughtful study abroad gift will be a treasured keepsake they’ll cherish for years.
2. Apple AirTags
Nothing puts a damper on a trip quite like losing your belongings. Whether checked luggage was put on the wrong flight, or a bag was forgotten on the bus, an Apple AirTag (or other Bluetooth tracker) can help students studying abroad locate and recover their lost, forgotten, or stolen belongings. With the ability to track their belongings in real-time from their phones, these handy devices offer a sense of security while traveling abroad.
3. Powerful and Compact Portable Charger
Have you ever seen your loved one go a day without using their phone? When they arrive at their study abroad location, chances are they’ll rely on it frequently! While navigating new cities, calling loved ones, and capturing precious moments, the last thing any study abroad student wants is a dead battery. This fast charging Anker portable charger/power bank is compact yet powerful, with a long-lasting 20,000mAh battery capable of charging an iPhone 14 up to 4.3 times. Bonus: the emissions created to produce this product were measured, reduced, and offset, making it a more sustainable study abroad gift.
4. Stuffable Neck Pillow for Comfort and Storage
Sometimes the difference between getting some much-needed rest on a train, bus, or plane all comes down to a little bit of cushioning. This innovative neck pillow is comfortable and doubles as a travel bag—students can stuff this useful study abroad gift with their softest clothing to save luggage space while ensuring they can catch a nap on the go.
5. Sling Bag for Day Trips
Studying abroad gives students the chance to learn and explore beyond the classroom where they’ll discover breath-taking landscapes and historic cultural sites! A sling bag is the perfect solution for these situations. Lightweight yet roomy, this Osprey Daylite Shoulder Sling Bag offers enough storage for day trips, classes, and exploring a new city—all without being too bulky or heavy. It’s a practical and stylish accessory that will keep students organized and ready for anything their journey brings.
6. Kindle Paperwhite for Unlimited Reading
Breaking the news to your study abroad student that their 3-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings can’t go abroad with them isn’t easy—packing light is key for study abroad, and lugging around books isn’t always feasible. This holiday season, give your bibliophilic study abroad student access to over 15 million titles and 16 GB of storage with the Kindle Paperwhite! Plus, this versatile eBook is made from recycled materials, making it a highly practical and sustainable study abroad present.
7. Silicone Earplugs
Have you ever tried to sleep in the same room as a heavy snorer? Or lived near a rooster that crows at dawn? Depending on where your student chooses to study abroad and whether they share a room with anyone in their accommodations, they could be staying in a noisier environment than they’re used to. The truth is traditional foam ear plugs don’t cut it—they fall out during the night and don’t block out enough noise. However, silicone ear plugs mold to your ear and create an airtight seal, making them much more effective at blocking out noise and staying put. Plus, they even help with discomfort and pain due to flying! Whether they’re catching up on rest, studying for a test, or hopping on a flight, your student will thank you for this simple but life-changing study abroad gift.
8. Compression Cubes for More Luggage Space
Whether your student is a minimalist who requires few possessions or is fashion-obsessed and wants to have an outfit for every day of the year, chances are they’ll be wishing they had more space in their luggage! Compression cubes make it easy to maximize luggage space so students can bring everything they need to study abroad, without lugging around too many suitcases. These handy, zippered bags don’t require a vacuum or pump. Plus, with the extra room they create, your student might have enough space to return the favor and bring a couple of gifts home for you!
9. Eco-Friendly Toiletry Kit
Help your study abroad student travel sustainably with an eco-friendly toiletry bag. Made from organic cotton, this toiletry kit keeps all their essential hygiene products organized while being small enough to pack into a carry-on for use in a train station or airport. It’s a thoughtful study abroad gift for the environmentally conscious student. Also, it comes in seven different colors!
10. Universal Travel Adapter
Nobody wants to show up to their study abroad destination only to realize they can’t charge any of their devices because of the foreign outlets. Rather than buying new chargers, a universal travel adapter ensures your student is always plugged in, no matter where they are. This must-have gadget works in every country, so they’ll never have to worry about charging devices while abroad.
If a college student in your life wants to explore the world in 2025, check out all the exciting destinations AIFS Abroad has available to study abroad or intern abroad.
Here at AIFS Abroad, we offer incredible study abroad and international internship program options all around the world. With inclusions such as tuition, housing, insurance, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education experience. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture while earning college credit! Start your journey today and make your study abroad experience one to remember!
This is an editorial blog post from AIFS Abroad’s content team who independently selected the items listed above. AIFS Abroad does not endorse and has not partnered with any of these companies or vendors. As always, use common sense when visiting a third party website or using a third-party service. AIFS Abroad makes no representation or warranty of any kind concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of any of these resources. This blog is subject to the AIFS Abroad Terms & Conditions.