Pre-departure Checklist

People tend to overpack because of insecurity and fear of the unknown. One big suitcase and one small carry-on bag would probably be good enough. Prior to your arrival, you may pack your luggage with the help of the following checklist. Subject to your own needs, you are advised to pack only the essentials and the items that you would need immediately upon arrival. The following checklist is just for your reference.

[adapted from Packing Light, Holloway Travel Outfitters, http/www.packinglist.com, 1999-2000]:

 

Travel Checklists

1. Clothing that suits the weather conditions

2. Daily necessities

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Skin Care lotions/Cream
Body Soap
Cosmetics
Shampoo
Hair Brush/Comb
Shaving Components
Beddings (including pillow, bed sheet and quilt)

3. Travel Appliances
Converter
Adaptor(s)
Notebook Computer
Shaver
Hair Dryer
Camera

4. Personal Items
Glasses/Contact Lenses (Take your prescription with you.)
Travel Alarm Clock
Luggage Locks and Tags
Dictionary
Calculator
Medication

(Take at least one month’s supply, and a copy of the prescription from your doctor — with both the chemical name and the brand name). If you find that your medication is not available in Hong Kong, you may need to take enough for the entire semester abroad. But, if you do, be sure you have a doctor’s prescription, a letter from him why you are carrying so much, and clearly labeled medicine. If you do not follow these procedures you may have difficulties with the authorities.)

5. Others
“National Dress”
At least one nicer suit/dress (in case you need to attend an event which requires it)

 

Travel Documents

Valid passport or travel document
Student visa/entry permit issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (should be attached to your travel document)
Admission documentation (e.g. acceptance letter or admission letter)
Travel Insurance Certificate, if any
Insurance Certificate for Exchange Period
Cash in H.K. Dollar, traveler’s cheques, cheque book or credit cards
Airline tickets

The above items must accompany you personally until arrival on campus. They must not be packed with the luggage since you will need to present some of them to the immigration authorities before you have claimed back your luggage. Always check to be sure all items are with you before you leave the airline check-in counter, the immigration or customs counter.

For the most important of these documents, keep them with you at all times. You should make several photocopies of important documents (e.g. Student Visa/Student Permit, and entry visa stamp page in passport), leave a set at home in Hong Kong and take several sets of them if possible.