Four Essentials To Pack When Volunteering Abroad

Do you need that raincoat for your trip to Vietnam? Is it essential to take your sunhat along for that building project in Africa? When you’re volunteering abroad, it can be a real challenge to know what exactly you should be packing. After all, you’re trying to plan for the trip of a lifetime, so you really don’t want to forget the essentials, but you’ll have no desire to be dragged down by a ginormous backpack either.

So, who do you turn to for help when it comes to making those important decisions? How about us!

IMAGE: PEXELS

Appropriate Clothing

When it comes to packing for your first volunteering trip abroad, making sure that you have the right sort of clothing is crucial. It’s important to remember that you’re not taking part in a fashion parade, so the clothes you pick should be comfortable, culturally appropriate, and suited to the local weather conditions.

That said, it’s always a good idea to include some variety, as planes can be chilly and even the hottest countries can have the occasional rainy day. Pack two pairs of trousers, four tops, a swimsuit, a jacket, and enough underwear to last you a week, and you should pretty much be covered.

Sunglasses, Glasses, And Contact Lenses

To make the most of your holiday, it helps to have 20/20 vision, so don’t forget to pack sunglasses (prescription or otherwise), glasses and contact lenses if you need them. It’s a good idea to choose a supplier that lets you order your contacts without prescription, as you need to know you can get spares shipped out in an emergency even with no RX. This is why we suggest that you order contact lenses online before you go (the same rules applies to glasses and prescription sunnies) so that, should you need a replacement, you can order from anywhere in the world at your discretion and know that the product you’ll receive has already been tried and tested by you beforehand.

Medical Kit

It’s not only glasses and contact lenses that you might need at a moment’s notice, possibly with no prescription to hand. You’ll also want to stock up on a few medical essentials – either over the counter or RX only – before you fly. These include aspirin or a similar pain reliever, antihistamines, diarrhea preventatives, powdered electrolytes, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, and any personal medication you take. Make sure you have a suitable supply to last you for the duration of your volunteering trip, as you never know when you’ll need them.

An Unlocked Phone And The Accessories To Go With It

No matter the motivations behind your trip, we also suggest taking an unlocked phone along with you. Yes, it might seem appealing to escape modern life for a while but you never know when you’ll find yourself in an emergency situation where you need to contact someone as a matter of utmost urgency. With this in mind, you’ll also need the accessories to go along with it, such as a suitable charger and a local adapter. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just something you can use should it become necessary.

And that’s it – four travel essentials you should never be without. Isn’t it time you made a start on your packing?

If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.

IMAGE: PEXELS