Your departure day is getting closer. Your visa is secured in your passport, your flight is booked, and your adventure is about to begin. Then comes the next challenge: what do you actually pack when leaving for months—or even years—to the US? The good news is that you need to bring far less than you probably think. Virtually every university is located close to stores like Walmart, Target, or Costco, where you can buy everything you need for daily life. This includes bedding, towels, school supplies, and personal care products. Therefore, pack smart. This leaves room for all the team apparel you will receive in America and prevents you from traveling with an overfilled suitcase. Heading to America soon? Be sure to check out our guide "Signed Your Scholarship, What's Next?" to read about the essential steps to arrange before departure, such as your F-1 visa, medical forms, and final preparations.
Ask your coach first what the university already provides
Before you start packing, it is smart to contact your coach or future roommate.
Not every university is the same. Some schools provide almost everything you need, while on other campuses you will need to purchase more items yourself.
Ask in advance if the following items are already provided:
- Bed and mattress
- Refrigerator or microwave
- Desk and desk chair
- Sports bag
- Training gear
- Towels
- Bedding
The more you know in advance, the fewer unnecessary items you will pack.
Carry-on bag: items you must always keep with you
Your checked luggage can occasionally be delayed during layovers. Your carry-on bag is your survival kit. Keep all official documents, valuables, and clothing for your first 3 days in your backpack and carry-on suitcase.
Official documents
Keep all critical documents organized together in a sturdy folder in your bag:
- Passport with your valid US visa
- Original Form I-20 (signed by you!)
- SEVIS I-901 payment receipt
- Official university acceptance letter
- Vaccination records & medical forms
- Contact details for your coach
- Official campus address
Electronics & valuables
Pack the following in your carry-on luggage:
- Laptop & charger (essential for your studies)
- Smartphone & charger
- Fully charged power bank
- Headphones or noise-canceling earbuds (for the flight and long team bus rides)
- Travel adapter (ensure you have at least one in your carry-on)
Personal items & delay emergency kit
- Emergency cash: Bring around $100 to $200 in USD cash for emergencies.
- Credit card & debit card: Ensure your home debit card is activated for international/worldwide use.
- Medication for the first few weeks: Include an official doctor’s note in English if you carry prescription medicine.
- Change of clothes: Pack 2 to 3 days of clean clothes and underwear (if your checked luggage is delayed, you can still shower and train).
- Travel-sized toiletries: Observe airport liquid regulations (max 100ml / 3.4 oz per container).
- Travel pillow & small towel
Checked luggage (Suitcase)
Your large checked suitcase is for items you do not need immediately at airport customs.
Clothing & athletic footwear
- Casual clothing: T-shirts, shorts, jeans, hoodies, and comfortable loungewear for your dorm room and classes.
- Formal outfit: One dressy outfit (such as a suit/button-down shirt or formal dress/pantsuit). Many athletic teams have a tradition of dressing formally on game days when traveling or walking across campus!
- Your own athletic shoes: Bring your broken-in running shoes, cleats, tennis shoes, or indoor court shoes. Do not wait for your official team gear; you will need athletic shoes on day one.
- Practice gear for the first week: You will likely receive a large gear package from your Athletic Department (Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, etc.), but distribution usually happens during orientation week. Bring 3 to 4 sets of your own workout clothes for initial training sessions.
- Outerwear / Jacket: A reliable (rain) jacket adapted to your state’s climate (northern states require a heavy winter coat, while a light windbreaker suffices in the south).
Local treats & icebreaker gifts
A great insider tip: bring a few local snacks or small treats from home as an icebreaker for your coach, roommate, and new teammates!
- Local cookies or famous sweets
- Popular local chocolates or snacks
- Small souvenirs or keychains
What NOT to pack (Buy these upon arrival!)
Avoid making your suitcase weigh 30 kilograms by dragging along items you can buy for a few dollars at a local Walmart, Target, or Bed Bath & Beyond near campus.
Purchase these during your first two days in the US:
- Shower shoes / Flip-flops: Essential if you use a shared communal bathroom down the hall in your dorm.
- Bedding & pillows: Comforters, sheets, and pillows take up way too much room in your suitcase. (Note: US dorm beds are typically “Twin XL” size).
- Towels & washcloths
- Clothes hangers & storage bins
- Stationery, notebooks, and binders
- Power strips & extension cords: Buy an American power strip locally; this is much safer with the local 110V electrical voltage.
- Full-sized toiletries: Shampoo, body wash, and laundry detergent.
Three golden packing rules for a Student-Athlete
- Attach luggage tags inside AND outside your suitcase: Include your name, home phone number, and the official address of your university/campus. If your suitcase gets lost, the airline will ship it straight to the campus mailroom.
- Leave extra room in your suitcase: Remember that you will receive a massive amount of team gear (sweatshirts, jackets, travel bags, tracksuits) in America. If your suitcase is packed to the brim on the way there, you will struggle to bring everything home!
- Check airline policies for sports equipment: Are you bringing golf clubs, tennis rackets, or hockey gear? Check in advance with airlines like KLM, Delta, or United to register oversized sports equipment and avoid unexpected fees at the airport check-in desk.
Need help with the final steps before departure?
At Made Scholarships, we send all our athletes a comprehensive checklist and personalized instructions before departure.
Do you have specific questions about your flight, sports equipment, or US border control? Reach out directly to your personal advisor. We make sure you board the plane 100% prepared!