
Your trusted consultancy for pursuing higher education in top German Public Universities.
Ensuring Health and Wellness
The Art of Smart Shopping
Apparel and Footwear
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Winter jacket | $50 - $150 | ₹3,800 - ₹11,400 | Provides warmth and protection against harsh weather conditions. |
Waterproof shoes | $40 - $100 | ₹3,000 - ₹7,600 | Keeps feet dry and warm during wet and cold weather. |
Sweaters | $20 - $50 | ₹1,500 - ₹3,800 | Essential for layering and staying warm during winter. |
Raincoat/umbrella | $10 - $30 | ₹750 - ₹2,300 | Protection against rain and unpredictable weather. |
Thermal underwear | $10 - $50 | ₹750 - ₹3,800 | Additional layer of insulation against the cold. |
Gloves and scarves | $10 - $40 | ₹750 - ₹3,000 | Protects hands and neck from cold and wind. |
Jeans/trousers | $20 - $70 | ₹1,500 - ₹5,300 | Versatile clothing item suitable for various weather conditions. |
T-shirts | $5 - $30 | ₹375 - ₹2,300 | Lightweight and comfortable for layering or wearing in warmer weather. |
Formal attire (for presentations/interviews) | $50 - $200 | ₹3,800 - ₹15,200 | Necessary for formal events like presentations, meetings, or interviews. |
Sports shoes | $30 - $100 | ₹2,300 - ₹7,600 | Comfortable footwear for physical activities or long walking distances. |
Electrical Appliances
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Universal power adapter | $10 - $20 | ₹750 - ₹1,500 | Allows compatibility with electrical outlets in Germany. |
USB charger | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Essential for charging electronic devices such as smartphones. |
Portable power bank | $15 - $60 | ₹1,150 - ₹4,500 | Convenient for charging devices on the go or during long hours of travel. |
Hair dryer/straightener | $20 - $100 | ₹1,500 - ₹7,600 | Useful for personal grooming and hair care. |
Electric kettle | $15 - $50 | ₹1,150 - ₹3,800 | Handy for quickly boiling water for tea, coffee, or instant meals. |
Multi-plug extension cord | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Provides additional outlets and flexibility for arranging electrical devices. |
Kitchen Essentials
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Basic utensil set | $20 - $50 | ₹1,500 - ₹3,800 | Necessary for cooking and serving meals. |
Pressure cooker | $20 - $60 | ₹1,500 - ₹4,500 | Useful for cooking Indian dishes quickly and efficiently. |
Non-stick frying pan | $15 - $50 | ₹1,150 - ₹3,800 | Versatile cookware for frying, sautéing, and making a variety of dishes. |
Pots and pans | $30 - $100 | ₹2,300 - ₹7,600 | Essential for cooking and boiling various ingredients. |
Cutting board | $5 - $30 | ₹375 - ₹2,300 | Provides a safe and stable surface for cutting and chopping ingredients. |
Knife set | $20 - $100 | ₹1,500 - ₹7,600 | Important for cutting, slicing, and chopping food items. |
Mixing bowls | $10 - $40 | ₹750 - ₹3,000 | Useful for preparing and mixing ingredients for different recipes. |
Measuring cups and spoons | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Essential for measuring ingredients accurately for recipes. |
Colander/strainer | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Important for draining liquids from cooked foods like pasta and vegetables. |
Storage containers | $10 - $50 | ₹750 - ₹3,800 | Keeps food fresh and organized in the kitchen or refrigerator. |
Spices and Condiments
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Turmeric powder | $3 - $7 | ₹225 - ₹525 | Fundamental spice in Indian cooking, has health benefits. |
Coriander powder | $3 - $7 | ₹225 - ₹525 | Commonly used in Indian cuisine for flavoring dishes. |
Cumin seeds | $2 - $6 | ₹150 - ₹450 | Adds a warm and earthy flavor to dishes. |
Mustard seeds | $2 - $6 | ₹150 - ₹450 | Essential for tempering in many Indian recipes. |
Garam masala | $3 - $8 | ₹225 - ₹600 | Blend of ground spices used in many Indian dishes for enhanced flavor. |
Red chili powder | $3 - $7 | ₹225 - ₹525 | Adds heat and color to Indian dishes. |
Green cardamom pods | $3 - $10 | ₹225 - ₹750 | Adds a unique sweet and aromatic flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. |
Cinnamon sticks | $2 - $8 | ₹150 - ₹600 | Used in both sweet and savory dishes for its warm and sweet flavor. |
Cloves | $2 - $7 | ₹150 - ₹525 | Adds a strong aromatic flavor and warmth to dishes. |
Black pepper | $3 - $7 | ₹225 - ₹525 | Adds heat and depth of flavor to |
Stationery
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Notebooks | $3 - $10 | ₹225 - ₹750 | Necessary for note-taking during lectures and personal study. |
Pens | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Essential for writing notes, completing assignments, etc. |
Highlighters | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Useful for highlighting important points in textbooks and notes. |
Post-it notes | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Helpful for jotting down quick notes or reminders. |
Pencil and eraser set | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Useful for sketching diagrams or doing work that might need erasing. |
Stapler and staples | $3 - $10 | ₹225 - ₹750 | Essential for keeping papers organized, particularly for assignments. |
Ruler | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Necessary for drawing straight lines or measuring things. |
Binder clips or paperclips | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Useful for keeping documents and papers together. |
Folders or binders | $2 - $10 | ₹150 - ₹750 | Important for organizing notes, assignments, and other documents. |
Calculator | $10 - $30 | ₹750 - ₹2,300 | Essential for calculations in certain courses, particularly in STEM fields. |
Personal Hygiene Essentials
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Toothbrush and toothpaste | $2 - $10 | ₹150 - ₹750 | Necessary for daily dental hygiene. |
Soap or body wash | $3 - $10 | ₹225 - ₹750 | Essential for maintaining daily personal hygiene. |
Shampoo and conditioner | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Keeps hair clean and healthy. |
Deodorant | $3 - $10 | ₹225 - ₹750 | Helps to keep body odor under control. |
Towels | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Necessary for drying after a bath or shower. |
Razor and shaving cream | $5 - $20 | ₹375 - ₹1,500 | Needed for grooming and personal care. |
Sanitary products (if needed) | $5 - $10 | ₹375 - ₹750 | Essential for women's monthly hygiene needs. |
Hand sanitizer | $2 - $7 | ₹150 - ₹525 | Helpful in maintaining hand hygiene when soap and water are not available. |
Nail cutter | $1 - $5 | ₹75 - ₹375 | Necessary for maintaining nail hygiene. |
Hairbrush or comb | $2 - $10 | ₹150 - ₹750 | Essential for grooming and maintaining hair. |
Electronics
Item | Approximate Cost (USD) | Approximate Cost (INR) | Why Essential? |
Laptop | $500 - $2000 | ₹37,500 - ₹1,50,000 | Essential for studying, assignments, research, and communication. |
Mobile Phone | $100 - $1000 | ₹7,500 - ₹75,000 | Necessary for communication, navigation, and entertainment. |
E-Reader/Tablet (Optional) | $80 - $400 | ₹6,000 - ₹30,000 | Useful for reading e-books, research papers or taking notes. |
Universal Plug Adapter | $10 - $20 | ₹750 - ₹1,500 | To ensure your electronics can be used in Germany. |
Portable Power Bank | $20 - $100 | ₹1,500 - ₹7,500 | Helpful for keeping devices charged on the go. |
External Hard Drive | $50 - $150 | ₹3,750 - ₹11,250 | Useful for backing up important data and storing large files. |
Noise-Canceling Headphones | $50 - $350 | ₹3,750 - ₹26,250 | Can enhance focus while studying in noisy environments. |
USB Flash Drive | $10 - $50 | ₹750 - ₹3,750 | Handy for transferring files between devices. |
Wireless Mouse (if needed) | $10 - $100 | ₹750 - ₹7,500 | Can improve the ease and efficiency of working on your laptop. |
Portable Bluetooth Speaker | $20 - $200 | ₹1,500 - ₹15,000 | Great for listening to music, watching movies, or making group calls with friends. |
- It might be a good idea to carry a few medicines, especially if they are specific to your medical condition, along with the doctor's prescription. This can help you navigate airport security checks smoothly.
- Keep a few 1 or 2 euro coins handy for trolleys at the airport.
- Consider packing instant food items like instant noodles or pre-packaged rice mix, which can come in handy during the initial days.
- If you're carrying homemade spice mixes, make sure they're clearly labeled. This will be helpful during airport security checks.
- Keep in mind that food items and water bottles are generally not allowed in cabin bags, so pack them in your check-in luggage.
- Biometric passport size photos can be quite pricey in Germany. Bringing a few extra from home could save you both time and money.
- If you have a preference for white light over yellow, consider bringing a 25W CFL bulb.
- Pack enough spices and condiments to last at least the initial six months. While Indian stores may be available, the prices can be quite steep.
- For sports enthusiasts, packing your sportswear and equipment might be a good idea.
- Lastly, if you wear spectacles, consider bringing an extra pair as they can be quite expensive in Germany.
Choosing the Right Luggage
- Durability: The last thing you want is for your luggage to give way during your journey.
- Weight: Opt for lightweight bags to maximize space for essentials.
- Size: Ensure the dimensions align with the airline's baggage policy.
The Final Pack-Up
- Consider getting a haircut before you leave, as it can be quite pricey in Germany.
- Leave a copy of all your original documents at home for safekeeping.
- Note down or keep a copy of essential phone numbers, including those of your university, and directions to your accommodation.
- Inform your university's International Student's Office about your arrival date and time a few days in advance. Check if they offer an airport pickup service, which can be a lifesaver when you're juggling luggage and navigating a new country.
Embarking on Your New Journey
FAQs
- Durability: The last thing you want is for your luggage to give way during your journey.
- Weight: Opt for lightweight bags to maximize space for essentials.
- Size: Ensure the dimensions align with the airline's baggage policy.
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Your trusted consultancy for pursuing higher education in top German Public Universities.