What to pack for your volunteering trip abroad? It can be a difficult task, especially if this is your first tip abroad.
First, there are a handful of country-specific items which we will remind you of before you leave home:
For example if you are volunteering in Ghana or teaching in Kenya, you must carry with you a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card.
And if you are taking a Spanish language class in Guatemala, we strongly advise you to bring a small umbrella and waterproof jacket to deal with the frequent afternoon showers.
There are also some rules of the road for packing and traveling for your volunteer trip:
1. Keep passport on your person not in bags
2. Keep all valuables in your carry-on bag
3. Do not over-pack
OK, so now, onto the actual packing list we send to volunteers before they leave home for the service trip abroad:
Packing List for Volunteering Abroad
Carry-On
- Passport
- Printed Flight Itinerary
- Cell Phone (+ charger, earbuds)
- Cash of $100-$150 (USD equivalent)
- Any Credit/Debit card(s)
- Travel Insurance policy (printed)
- Prescription medicine(s) & any meds for pain/fever/diarrhea
- Electronics (camera, laptop/tablet) + chargers
- Contact info for Coordinators + family back home (printed)
- Pens (2)
Checked Baggage
- Long Pants (4-5) (e.g. yoga pants, jeans, capris)
- Skirt/dresses (2)
- Shorts (4)
- Short-sleeve shirts (7-8)
- Long-sleeve shirts (1-2)
- Underwear (7)
- Socks (7)
- Light Jacket / Sweatshirt / Hoodie (1)
- Sneakers (1)
- Sandals / flip-flops (1)
- Sleepwear (covers legs and arms)
- Hat (for sun) + sunscreen
- Bath towel (small)
- Hand sanitizer
- All normal toiletries (soap, shampoo, makeup etc)
- Gift for host family
- Bug spray for mosquitos
- Do NOT bring bedding / pillows (they will be provided)
- Outlet Plug Adapter (or buy for $1 in Ghana)