Essential Packing Guide for Your Journey to Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark

Planning a trip to Nordics as a student can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to packing. With its unique climate and lifestyle, knowing what to bring will ensure you are well-prepared for the conditions and cultural nuances you'll encounter. Whether you're moving for studies, work, or an extended visit, this comprehensive packing guide will help you decide what essentials to include in your baggage. From clothing and electronics to spices and souvenirs, we've got you covered. Follow this list to make your transition to Finland as smooth and comfortable as possible.

SHOE AND SOCKS

1. Snow Shoe - 1 Set

2. Sports and Warm Shoes like HiTech shoes - 1 Set

3. Light casual shoes like Summer shoes - 1 Set

4. Summer Sandal - 1 Set

5. Socks (Very Warm) - 5 Set

6. Socks (Medium) - 5 Set

PANTS

1. Jeans Pant - 4 set

2. Cotton pant - 1 set (Optional)

T-SHIRTS

1. Winter T-Shirts - 4; (Very Warm, full sleeve)

2. Summer T-shirts - 2; (Full and Half Sleeve; similar as you wear in Kathmandu)

3. Thermocot - 2 sets (Thermal Inner wear for Winter)

SWEATERS

1. Very Warm Type - 1

2. Medium - 1

3. Thin (Summer Type) - 1

JACKETS

1. Very Warm and Multi-layered Jacket -1 (North face type; explore Kalapatthar Trekking Store around Thamel; Kathmandu) 

2. Warm jacket -1 (Like the one you wear in Kathmandu during Winter)

3. Hood (Warm) - 1 (Optional)

CAP AND GLOVES

1. Cap (Topi) covering ears -2 (Might be Woolen Topi; do not think about Fancy; you feel the fashion during Winter at -30 degree)

2. Gloves - 2 set (Warm; very warm and comfortable to ride on Bicycle as well)

OTHER CLOTHING

1. Normal Cloth set for wearing inside the room - 2 set (Since all of the rooms will be heated and temperature maintained; average clothes as you wear in Kathmandu during Summer will work for all seasons.)

2. Half pant/Trouser - 1/2 set

3. Bed Cover (tanna) - 1 set

4. Sports Wear (Optional)

5. Towel - 1

BAG/MOBILE/OTHERS

1. Mobile set - 1 set (Unlocked Mobiles are relatively expensive here than in Nepal and locked postpaid mobile sets will not be issued to you immediately after arriving here).

2. Bag (Backpack) - 1 (It is better to think about laptop bags to be carried back side so that you can comfortably ride bicycle as well).

3. Memory stick (pen drive) - 1

4. Ball pen - 1 dozen

5. Hair Cutting Machine/Scissor - 1 (Hair Cutting is really expensive here)

6. Umbrella -1

7. Raincoat -1

8. Sewing needles and sewing threads (सियो धागो) - Few

UTENSILS

1. Pressure cooker - 1 (medium size; might be of 2/3 Ltr.; while packing separate the cover and pack on luggage bag; do to close the cover of pressure cooker)

2. Multipurpose non-sticky frying pan

3. Plate, Spoon, glass (though these items are widely available on second hand stores as well, but it might not be easily available on your city; so it better to bring minimum required set)

COSMETIC

1. Shaving Set (Shaving Cream, razors; also include extra razors)

2. Toothpaste and brush 2/3

3. Shampoo - 1/2 (larger)

4. Bathing gel/soap - 1/2 (larger)

5. Nail cutter - 1

6. Perfume - 2/3 (Optional)

8. Chip stick or lip guard (MUST for Winter) - 2/3

MEDICINE PACK

Bring general purpose medicine pack (tablets for Cetamol, Pudin hara, Eno, Pantop, Asprine, Metronidazol, Betadin, Aciloc, bandage, Handyplast, Cuttons, Thermometer) since medicines are really expensive here and cannot be bought without prescriptions. Medical expenses are really high in Finland.

SOUVENIRS AND GIFT ITEMS

Yes, do not forget to bring a flag of your country. Also, include some souvenirs related to Nepal, it would be much helpful to freshen up the memory of your family, friends and Nepal. Also bring some gift items like postcards of Nepal, symbolic gift objects about Nepal. It would be useful for gifting your international officers, your professors and international friends. They could also be very good attractions for foreigners on cultural programs. Do not forget to visit Nepal Tourism Board (at Bhrikuti Mandap); they will also give you a pack of stickers and postcards related to your country; free of cost.

What about books and Stationery?

You need not to bring any books to Finland. Libraries of Colleges are well equipped and flexible enough that you can manage with library books. Moreover, online reading is the most common way of study here. So, the importance of printed books are really minimal during your studies.

About Copies or notebooks, you need not to bring any. Though notebooks are very expensive here, you can manage with blank sheets (A4 Paper) by converting them to notebooks. Your luggage weight is the main obstacle to bring notebooks.

About, pen, it is better to include minimum a dozen of good ball pens. You can also include highlighters, staplers with pins, paper tape, gum etc. if you use them often.

What about Foods?

We eat typical home-land dish (Nepali dal-bhat) daily as our main meal. So, don’t worry about regular foods. But, spices of curry, chillies and typical (Nepali) foods are almost impossible to find. However, there are Asian/African/Indian Shops in most of the towns and cities and they sell all kinds of spices, chillies and all kinds of exotic Indian stuffs (which are quite similar to local Nepali taste); but my personal experience with them is that they could be better than Finnish spices but they cannot give you the real taste of Nepal. So, I suggest you to pack enough amount of curry masala, other spices and chillies as well. It is better to include some noodles, titauras, your favorite typical Nepali foods and related items as well. You will miss the Momo here.

What about electronic goods like laptop or computer?

Electronic Goods are not so cheaper here except they are in offer. If you have heard about Laptops being so cheap in US, don’t ever imagine that, price in US and in Finland are really much different. So, I suggest you either to bring a laptop from Nepal itself OR to manage for first few months here without computer since you will have laboratory in college where you can wisely use computers. Even some colleges issues Laptop to students from their libraries. Later, after making a good saving amount, OR when shops announces seasonal and festival offers with heavy discount, you can buy a new one here. You can buy a good laptop here between 600-800 Euro

You can also buy second hand computer and laptop here if you wish. Buying second hand is also a good idea; but if it causes any small problems, maintenance is really a difficult problem. So, think twice and check the laptop properly before buying a second hand one.