6 Essential Items You’ll Regret Not Packing for Your Trip Abroad

The long wait is almost over! Your deployment date is approaching. You’ve checked all the major boxes: your passport and visa are in order, tickets are booked, accommodations are confirmed, and your itinerary is set. But before you zip up your suitcase, don’t forget to pack these essentials to keep homesickness a little less to worry about.

To help you settle into your new environment with ease and comfort, we’ve put together a comprehensive packing guide. This way, you won’t regret leaving behind the little things that make home feel closer, no matter where you go.

• Pain Relief Ointment. Adjusting to a new environment, dealing with long work hours, or experiencing body aches and headaches can be challenging. That’s why bringing pain relief ointments like White Flower, Katinko, or Efficascent Oil is a must. These are also useful for insect bites, which can be a concern in some countries. Having these handy will help you stay comfortable and pain-free while working abroad.

• Favorite Pinoy Biscuits and Chips. Your favorite Filipino snacks may not always be available in foreign supermarkets, or they might be overpriced in specialty Asian stores. Bringing snacks like SkyFlakes, Piattos, or Chippy ensures you have access to your comfort food without spending too much. They’re also a great quick energy boost for hectic work schedules.

  
  

• Savory Comfort Foods. Homesickness is inevitable when working overseas, but food has a way of bringing us closer to home. Bringing Filipino favorites like dried fish, gourmet tuyo, and instant noodles can provide instant comfort during those nostalgic moments. Our personal advice is to bring at least 1 kilo of uncooked rice (bigas) to help you with the transition. These foods are quick and easy to prepare, perfect for on-the-go OFWs. Plus, cooking at home is much cheaper than dining out, helping you save money. Just properly pack the dried fish and the like to avoid strong odors in your luggage!

  
  

• Tabo (Water Dipper). Your daily routine may change while living abroad, but some habits can remain the same—such as using a tabo! This Filipino bathroom essential is something many OFWs bring, and those who forget often ask their relatives to send one over. Besides its hygienic benefits, using a tabo also helps conserve water. If bidets or similar alternatives aren’t available in your host country, having a tabo will make all the difference.

• Small Religious Items. Being away from home can be emotionally and mentally challenging, and small religious items can provide comfort and reassurance. Whether it’s a Sto. Niño figurine, a prayer book, or a rosary, these items serve as reminders of faith and hope, especially during difficult times. They also help maintain a strong connection to home, family traditions, and cultural identity, making life in a new environment more bearable.

If you're getting ready to work abroad, this checklist might come essential to help you fully prepared—not just with the necessary documents but also with essentials that bring comfort and familiarity. Being away from family and loved ones can be challenging, but remember that pursuing your dream job overseas is a rewarding journey. Stay focused, and soon you'll be starting your overseas career with confidence, resilience, and readiness—embracing new opportunities because you have a piece of home with you.

Ready to apply or just interested in knowing about our overseas vacancies? You may check our website and sign up at applicant.abba.ph.

ABBA Personnel Services Inc.

Upper Ground Floor 01 / 02 Pioneer Highlands

Pioneer St. near cor. EDSA

Mandaluyong City 1550 Philippines

ABBA PERSONNEL SERVICES INC. IS A DMW AWARDEE RECRUITMENT AGENCY THAT'S ALSO THE #1 DEPLOYER OF FILIPINO HEALTHCARE WORKERS ABROAD. DMW LICENSE: DMW-357-LB-05232024-R-AOE.