The most important Peace Corps packing list ever

Dear Future Volunteer,

I present you with the only packing list you'll ever need. It doesn't matter where you're going-Paraguay, Philippines, or anywhere in between-this is the list that will keep you prepared for any conditions in the next 27 months.

Love,
Allison, Champion Peace Corps Packer

CLOTHING:
You're going to want clothes that are practical and durable. Donate your entire current wardrobe to a local thrift store and take yourself-and your entire bank account-down to an outdoor store and grab all the wrinkle-free, quick-drying essentials that you can. You can't put a price on these necessities! Make sure to spring for the good underwear to ensure they last the entire two years.

SHOES:
You'll be outside all day, every day, and you'll need only two types of shoes: hiking boots-above-the-ankle, waterproof, and heavy duty. Splurge for steel-toed boots if you can afford it. Sport sandals will be your best friends, even if you think they're ugly and talk bad about them behind their back.

TOILETRIES: Stock up on two years' worth of everything: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, razors, hand sanitizer ... the list goes on!

Did you write all that down? Good! Now crumple it up and throw it away.

The reality of packing for Peace Corps service is that you're never going to come up with the perfect packing list no matter how hard you try. You'll spend hours and weeks trying to make a list that includes everything you will possibly need. You might read every blog from Volunteers in your host country, scour the internet, and fill your digital carts-watching the total climb higher and higher.

How do you know what to pack for 27 months of Peace Corps service? The reality is, you will never definitively know, not until you get there. While Peace Corps' sites in a given country may share similar amenities, living conditions, and social norms, these can vary greatly from community to community. Your site could be extremely rural with no electricity, or it could be in the center of a major town, near a shopping center.

Your needs will also evolve as you experience the new seasons and weather. You may take up new activities or sports that require different clothing or equipment.

Rather than a list of things you should bring, here are some packing tips useful for any country:

1. The Packing Guidance page for each Peace Corps host country is a great place to start, although it's by no means definitive (here's an example for Paraguay). On these pages you will learn the items that the Peace Corps will provide to you, items recommended from previous Volunteers, and items easily (or less easily) found in-country. Some items will be applicable to you and others not.
2. Connect with recently Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from your prospective country of service and similar locales. You can find groups through the National Peace Corps Association. Ask what they wished they had packed and what they wish they hadn't wasted space on. Find out what you can and can't purchase in country.
3. Outdoor and camping supply stores can be great resources for lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, quick-dry clothing that can lighten your luggage and make handwashing and line-drying a breeze. If you will be active outdoors as part of your work or recreational activities, the clothing and supplies in these stores can be useful. That said, don't pack as if you're going camping for two years. While sport sandals and activewear pants can be useful, you'll need clothing for work and casual activities as well. Some outdoor supply stores can also be good sources for casual clothes that wash and wear well.
4. Research local culture and traditions to find out the cultural clothing norms. Respecting local culture is an extremely important part of integration. A good place to start is the Living Conditions page for each host country, which includes a section called "Professionalism, appearance, dress, and behavior" (see, for example, Living Conditions in the Philippines). You will receive additional guidance during pre-service training. If it's not acceptable to show too much skin, bring long pants/skirts for public outings and shorts for comfort inside your home. Many countries might have norms regarding tattoos, so for warmer climates, make sure to pack breathable clothing that will cover them. It is a good rule of thumb to look at your local counterparts to see what they are wearing, and to mimic that. Also, what might be culturally acceptable in one community might not be in another. Best to err on the side of caution. Once you are settled into your community you can have more nuanced conversations with Peace Corps staff and counterparts about clothing.
5. Don't overpack. Many types of clothing and shoes can be bought in-country, sometimes more cheaply than in the U.S., and is more likely to be culturally appropriate. Your lifestyle and diet will change, possibly causing your weight to fluctuate, so clothing you brought might no longer fit quite right. Focus on bringing items that are not easily purchased in-country, or are more expensive, such as power banks, a sturdy backpack, a laptop, etc. The Packing Guidance pages often include information about items that can be found more or less easily in-country.
6. Consider climate and environment. Know whether the climate is generally warm or cold, rainy or dry, dusty or clear. Pack for a variety of conditions but place the most focus on extreme weather conditions. Be prepared to layer.
7. Packing shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. A lot of items you might already have in your possession. Thrift and consignment stores are options. It is likely you will make purchases throughout service, and many Volunteers enjoy having clothing tailored from local fabrics at an affordable price.
8. Although not a requirement, Volunteers often bring gifts for their host families. These gifts do not have to be expensive and can include souvenirs from the U.S., handcrafted items, photos, etc. A small token of appreciation goes a long way. Suggestions can be found in the Packing Guidance pages for each country.
9. "You can always have things sent to you later" is what many Volunteers will tell you. Sending packages is expensive but it can be done. If you get to your site and decide you need something, have someone send it to you. It wouldn't hurt to have a few items at home already packaged and ready to go if you think you might want them. On the other hand, be aware that mailing systems are not always reliable. Packages can get lost in the mail or arrive months later. It's best to not send expensive items or anything irreplaceable. Fellow Volunteers who visit the U.S. during their leave may be able to bring items back for you.
10. Participate in the pre-departure calls scheduled with your cohort, country post staff, and current Peace Corps Volunteers in-country. You can ask any lingering packing questions then!
11. Be mindful of the luggage allowance. Peace Corps allows you to take two checked bags up to 50 lbs. each, a carry-on, and a personal item. Consider weighing your luggage before traveling to staging. You do not want to have to repack at the airport!
12. Your carry-on will be your most accessible travel companion. Make sure you have all identifications, valuables, as well as a couple days of clothing and toiletries in event of delayed or misplaced luggage.

The question remains, how do you pack your entire life into two checked bags and one carry-on? You don't. The most important things aren't packed-they're discovered once you arrive.