Because people want to give you gifts when you’re about to study in another country
CAMERAS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Digital Camera
The Lumix ZS8 is one of Panasonic’s latest and greatest travel-zoom cameras, and it exudes awesomeness. I’m not looking to be a professional photographer, but for well under $200, the ZS8 is still a quality piece of equipment and includes the Top Must Have Features a study abroad student needs in a camera. Its 16x optical zoom is pretty mind-blowing, and with the Optical Image Stabilizer, iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode, Panorama Assist Mode, and 14 megapixels, it suits all of my needs. Not to mention at just over an inch thick, it easily fits in my pocket. I currently own one, and have nothing but good things to say about it. |
 |
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera
| The D3100, is Nikons latest entry-level offering and its first DSLR that can record full 1080p HD videos. An upgraded version of the popular D3000, it’s built around a 14.2 CMOS sensor (as opposed to the original 10) and a 3 inch LCD. As well as movies, it gains Live View shooting, a wider ISO range, and a number of other upgrades. One of the best featres is the Easy-To-Use Nikon Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance. Great for people like me who aren’t yet that into photography, but want to stop taking bad point & shoot pictures. The D3100 is above all other entry-level DSLRs. |
 |
Sony HDR-CX160 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder
| Although both the Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 allow you to record video, if you’re like me, you’ll want something that not only has a recording time of over 5 minutes, but also has an optical zoom above 20x. Sony’s HDR-CX160 Handycam camcorder has a 42x extended zoom feature, and via the built-in embedded Flash memory, you can record and store up to six hours of high-definition video footage (HD LP mode). It features an “Exmor R” CMOS sensor for low-light performance and a wide angle Sony G lens. You can also compose and view your shots on the 3.0″ touch-screen display. If you plan on shooting some great footage while you’re abroad, a camcorder is the only way to go. |
 |
LUGGAGE
Osprey Porter 46 Travel Duffle
 |
When it comes to traveling while your abroad, I always recommend a backpack over a rolling suitcase. Suitcases are bulky, hard to store, and are a pain if you have to walk anywhere for a long period of time. In the words of one reviewer, ” The Porter 46 is probably close to the perfect carry-on item for the frequent traveler”. Forget bells-and-whistles, it’s about comfort and function. And at the maximum legal carry on size, it’s got the most important thing – space. |
Delseys Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Carry-On
 |
If you’re set on getting rolling luggage for your carry on, check out this Delseys Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Carry-On. Its lightweight (9 lb.) design features a fiberglass graphite frame and an expandable main compartment with interior mesh pockets for accessories.It’s relatively inexpensive, and has some awesome reviews. Keep in mind that restrictions on the size of your carry-on are up to each individual air carrier (not TSA), although most seem to be right around 21″. I have no opinion on this, but some people tend to prefer a 4 wheeled base over the usual 2. I’ll leave that up to you. |
High Sierra Elevate 28″ Drop-Bottom Wheeled Duffel
 |
This lightweight “duffle-bag” has a special, built-in, high-density foam structure which helps maintain its shape while keeping the weight down. Its large main compartment is great for storing clothes and has a a massive u-shaped opening for easy access. The drop bottom compartment is ideal for shoes or folded clothing, and a zippered divider panel can be rolled up to create one large compartment. Rolling duffle-bags are becoming extremely popular among travelers these days as they’re both practical and durable. Without the rigid sturcture of a traditional suitcase, you’re free to stuff anything and everything inside. |
ELECTRONICS
Apple iPad2
| The counterpart to and closest rival of the Kindle, the iPad is the other tablet that makes The Study Abroad Student’s 2011 Christmas List. The iPad2 now includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features, like iMessage (send free, unlimited text messages over Wi-Fi), Notification Center, and Twitter integration, and of course you can record HD video and make FaceTime calls. The iPad2 also features iCloud, which stores your music, photos, apps, and more. It has a 9.7″, in-plane switching display, 16GB flash memory + free cloud storage, and a battery life of 10 hours. There really isn’t much a tablet can’t do these days. |
 |
Apple iPod touch 8GB
| As my travel blogging idol Gary Arndt calls it, the “Swiss Army Knife of Travel Gadgets”. An alarm clock, wifi finder, notebook, photo album and web browser all in one. And of course you can listen to your entire library of music and watch videos. Just like the iPad2, the iPod touch also includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features, like iMessage, Notification Center, and Twitter integration, and iCloud. While I’m a huge fan of the iPad, the compactness of the iPod makes it extremely convenient not only for travel and also for everyday on-the-go study abroad life. |
 |
Eagle Creek Dual Wattage International Converter Set
| I can’t stress enough the importance of looking into/buying an outlet converter and adapter before you head abroad. This combination transformer/converter does all the work for you, stepping down foreign electricity (220/240V) to North American (110/125V) current. It can be used with battery chargers, curling irons, shavers, toothbrushes, and electric appliances between 0-50 Watts, as well as with hair dryers, clothes steamers, irons, coffee makers, and other electric appliances between 51-1875 Watts. Of course, it also conveniently comes with a 5 piece outlet adapter set. |
 |
CLASSROOM
The Magic Wand Portable Scanner
 |
The Magic Wand is a handheld portable scanner that you can use to scan pages of books, pictures, documents, and even fabrics. You just press the scan button; gently drag The Magic Wand over whatever it is you want to scan; download the scans to your computer or laptop; and you’re done. This was my secret to avoiding the library while studying abroad. I could check out a book, use The Magic Wand to scan the pages I needed to read, download them from her scanner to my computer, and just like that, I could do my reading anywhere and anytime I wanted – spending almost no time in the library. |
Kindle Fire
 |
Whether your’re at school or traveling about, you won’t have room in your back pack to carry textbooks, travel guides, etc. As far as tablets are concerned the Kindle Fire is among the best, and at only 7.5″, it takes up the space of a small notepad. Beyond books, magazines, and pictures, the Fire also includes Amazon Silk, Amazon’s cloud-accelerated browser which supports Adobe Flash Player. Using the Fire, you can e-mail documents – including Word, PDF and more – directly to your Kindle so you can read them anytime, anywhere, and the built-in email app gets all your webmail (Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL etc.) into a single inbox. The Fire makes just about every aspect of a study abroad students life a lot easier. |
FLYING
Samsonite Travel Wallet
| You’ll probably need your passport when you check in, while going through security, and definitely when you go through customs. I always kept my passport, some extra cash, a calling card, and a few other helpful things in a passport/document holder. This black leather Samsonite Travel Wallet has tons of space for ID, credit cards, cash, passports, receipts, and it even has room for copies of the informational pages of your passport, your visa, and any other larger documents that will be helpful when you’re trying to enter your host country. |
 |
EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale
| After waiting all that time in the check-in line, the last thing you want to hear is that your bags are overweight. The EatSmart digital luggage scale is a simiple solution to most airline luggage restrictions. (Don’t quote me, but usually for checked bags the limit is 50 pounds (23kg), and 40 pounds (18 kg) for your carry-on.) Just clip the EatSmart buckle to the handle of your suitcase or bag, then lift. The scale beeps when the weight has been determined, and appears in the backlit LCD. Simple as that. |
 |
Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow
| I refused to buy one of these when I was in Scotland, but after 20 or so total flights (and more nechaches than I can count) during my Junior year abroad, I learned my lesson and bought one as soon as I knew I’d be going abroad again. (My flight from Scotland was 7 hours and my flight to China was close to 14!) This neck support pillow is designed with thermo-sensitive memory foam that contours perfectly to your neck, and even comes with a plush velour cover. Get one of these and your body will be thanking you rather than hating you when you land. |
 |
BOOKS
Steve Jobs
 |
This is sort of the black sheep of The Study Abroad Student’s 2011 Christmas List, but believe it or not, Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement address was a huge factor in my decision to study abroad. I was really unsure about what I wanted to in life at the time, and in this speech, Jobs urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks, and to worry about connecting the dots later on. If you haven’t seen it, you should really take a look. Whether or not you believe in the way he conducted business, you can’t deny the man had a positive impact on many people’s lives including my own. |
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below and I’ll get back to you!
Don’t forget to Like The Blog on Facebook and Follow on Twitter!
