ARRIVAL
What to bring and what to buy here
Start with items needed immediately or difficult to replace. Compare the full costs and restrictions of bringing, shipping or buying the rest after arrival.
In this guide
What genuinely has to come with you
Documents and medication are the two categories where being without them is a real problem, and both need thought rather than packing space.
- Passport, visa, acceptance letter, and original diploma and transcripts
- Equivalency, translation or authentication documents specifically requested for registration
- Prescription medication with the prescription and the generic drug name, not just the brand
- Your vaccination records and any medical history that matters
- Spare spectacles or contact lenses and your prescription
- Digital copies of everything, stored somewhere you can reach without your phone
Medication deserves a specific check
Discuss travel supplies and continued treatment with your prescriber before departure. Carry the prescription and a medical summary identifying the medicine, dose and active ingredient. The Ministry of Trade assesses reasonable personal-treatment quantities against supporting documents and the stay; controlled medicines may need additional checks. Confirm customs requirements before travel and ask a qualified clinician or pharmacist about local availability. Do not change treatment based on a product name alone.
Compare before bringing household items
Ask what your accommodation provides, then compare dated local prices with extra baggage or shipping charges. Plan bedding, cookware, furniture and winter clothing around what is missing. Check voltage, plug compatibility and manufacturer instructions for electrical devices: a plug adapter alone does not convert voltage.
If you do ship something
Personal baggage and postal or courier shipments can have different customs rules. Ask the carrier and Turkish customs about admissibility, taxes, clearance costs, documents and collection arrangements before sending anything. Declare contents and values accurately and retain receipts. Compare the full delivered cost with local replacement; a small parcel is not automatically exempt.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring food from home?
Check the Ministry of Trade’s current passenger guide for the exact product and quantity. Food, especially animal products, can be restricted even in personal baggage; sealed packaging does not establish permission.
Should I bring a laptop or buy one here?
Check your program’s equipment needs, your computer’s suitability and passenger rules. Compare current prices and warranty coverage if replacing it. Follow the airline’s battery and baggage instructions if bringing one.
Sources & references
Use the linked source for current requirements. The dates below record when each source was checked.
Plan your next step.
Bring your questions about programs, documents or settling in to a MEC Education advisor.