Do You Need A Laptop Abroad?

If you're packing for a semester abroad, or for a couple of month internship, do you actually need to pack a laptop with you?  The answer very much depends on the type of program that you are planning to go and take part in, and may not be what you think.

While the reflexive answer may be "yes" for most people, it's worth breaking down what you will be doing during your semester.  If you're primarily taking part in a language or culture course program while abroad, lugging a laptop with you may well be unnecessary.  Given that your primary tasks you'll need to complete are going to be things like note taking, writing short essays, or making a simple presentation, you probably can accomplish the same tasks using a tablet if you have one.  For a variety of tablets that don't come with an external keyboard, a Bluetooth keyboard case will more than get the job done.

If you're doing research of some kind, and think that you may need a computer for some kind of data analysis, it's worth bearing in mind that most institutes and labs that require that type of work will have specialized workstation computers around to use.  The university itself will also have either computer bays or labs, likely as part of their library complex available to you as a student.

It's not to say that you shouldn't pack a laptop with you when traveling abroad, but for those who are packing and finding themselves trying to organize heavy and overstuffed bags, taking a second look at whether or not that laptop and power brick are actual necessities can help to lighten the load a bit.  Also, for those who are staying abroad for more than a semester, I'd lean into taking the laptop along, as the same workarounds that are fine for a semester can become a nuisance if the coursework you are doing requires regular access to programs that you don't have available on your tablet of choice.