Congratulations! You've made it through the rigorous process of admissions and are now on the verge of commencing your Master's studies in Germany. As thrilling as this new chapter may be, it can often bring along a whirlwind of activities, making it easy to overlook crucial details. This guide aims to be your companion during this time, providing an extensive checklist of things to be done before your departure.
Ensuring Health and Wellness
When traveling to a new country, it's important to take extra measures to ensure your health. Consider arranging for a comprehensive health checkup before your departure. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, obtaining recent medical examination reports could be highly beneficial. Don't forget to visit your dentist and optometrist, too - addressing any minor issues now will save you from inconveniences later in a new environment.
The Art of Smart Shopping
Shopping for your impending journey may seem like a daunting task. Here's a breakdown of some essential categories to consider:
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. |
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👉 Please note that these costs are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brand, quality, and location of purchase.
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