Great question! When students arrive in a new country for their studies, setting up their accommodation with essential household items is an important step for comfort and convenience. Here’s a checklist of basic items you might consider purchasing soon after arrival. These suggestions are suitable for most destinations (such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, etc.), but you can always adjust based on your accommodation type (shared, private, or student halls) and what is already provided.

1. Bedding and Linen
- Bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets/duvet (check bed size!)
- Pillows
- Mattress protector (optional but useful)
- Towels (bath, hand, face)

2. Kitchen Essentials
- Plates, bowls, glasses, and mugs
- Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons)
- Cooking utensils (spatula, ladle, peeler, can opener)
- Saucepan, frying pan, and cooking pots
- Chopping board
- Food storage containers
- Dish soap, sponge, and dish towel
- Electric kettle (popular in the UK/Australia)
- Rice cooker or microwave (optional, but convenient)

3. Grocery Basics
- Salt, sugar, oil, tea/coffee
- Basic spices (as per your preference)
- Some ready-to-cook meals/snacks for the first few days

4. Cleaning Supplies
- Laundry detergent
- All-purpose cleaner/disinfectant
- Cleaning cloths or paper towels
- Toilet brush and bathroom cleaner
- Trash bags/dustbin

5. Bathroom Supplies
- Shower curtain (if not provided)
- Bath mat
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
- Toilet paper

6. Study Essentials
- Desk lamp
- Extension cord/multi-plug adapter (ensure compatibility with local sockets)
- Stationery (notebooks, pens, highlighters)

7. Other Useful Items
- Clothes hangers
- Laundry basket or bag
- Iron and ironing board (if not provided)
- First aid kit (basic medications, band-aids, etc.)
- Reusable water bottle

Tips:
- Many student accommodations provide some of these items (like basic furniture or kitchen appliances), so check your accommodation’s inventory before shopping.
- Large supermarkets, IKEA, and local discount stores are good places to buy affordable household goods.
- Consider buying some items second-hand or sharing costs with flatmates.

If you have a specific country or city in mind or want to know about affordable places to shop near your university, let me know—I can help with that too!

If you need help with your pre-departure checklist or settling in, Pollster Education can provide personalized support! Feel free to contact us at +91 9324480791 or info@pollstereducation.com.