Great posting. I have lived abroad for some time. If it is in the civilised world, you don't need anything actually. When I lived in Belgium I carried only some white cheese with me, I don't like feta and I don't like its price in Belgium. Carrying suitcases with clothes just saves some shopping time and money (otherwise you should buy clothing when you arrive and later throw it away when you head back), otherwise what is sold in the shops is practically the same.

I had this realisation when I tried to shop for presents from abroad.  Nowadays I buy local beer (for the boys) and local candy (for girls) and that's pretty much it.