How to Pack for 2 Years Abroad

No matter where the Peace Corps takes you, packing is an essential step in preparing for this life-changing experience. In this blog post, I'll guide you through the art of packing for the Peace Corps, ensuring you have everything you need while keeping your luggage lightweight and efficient. Let's dive in!

Research, Research, Research:

Before you even think about packing, immerse yourself in research about your assigned country. Understand its climate, cultural norms, and living conditions. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions about what to pack and what to leave behind. For me, this looked like scouring the Peace Corps Cameroon Instagram to see what volunteers and host country nationals were wearing. I noticed a few things:

• Western clothing was not commonly worn, but it was widely available in markets.

• Most Cameroonians, and eventually most volunteers, predominantly wore traditional clothing. The country has beautiful fabrics and talented tailors who make inexpensive, high-quality clothing. Wearing their clothing always resulted in an increased amount of respect from Cameroonians.

• Modesty is very important to Cameroonians. It was a sign of respect but also served as an extra layer of protection from the bugs and equatorial sun.

• Cleanliness and neatness in your appearance outside the home are important throughout the country. Do not leave your house in dirty, baggy, or stained clothes, as Cameroonians view how you dress as a direct reflection of your respect for them.

In your research, it is also wise to consider what electronics you may need. Every country has its own electrical standards, so it’s crucial to research plug types, voltages, and frequency in advance. Investing in reliable adapters or converters helps ensure your devices, from phones to laptops, stay powered without damage. If you live in an area with frequent power outages or limited electricity, a portable battery pack or solar charger can be a real lifesaver—allowing you to charge essential devices even when the grid goes down. My favorite solar chargers can be found on Amazon, though American and European-made products are often not equipped for the intense sun found in many equatorial countries. So, be mindful of the heat limits on your devices.

Don’t forget important documents, and then some. Carrying multiple physical copies of critical paperwork—such as your passport, visa, medical records, and emergency contacts—will save you major headaches if anything gets lost or stolen. To further protect them, store these copies in a waterproof pouch or folder and keep digital backups in the cloud so they can be accessed anywhere. This simple step can make a significant difference in managing emergencies or bureaucratic processes abroad.

Embrace Simplicity:

When it comes to packing for the Peace Corps, less is more. Focus on essentials and items that serve multiple purposes. Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothing that can be layered and comfortable shoes suitable for walking in various terrains. Fabrics like cotton and polyester were the most durable and practical in Cameroon. Don't forget to pack a few sentimental items to remind you of home and boost your morale during challenging times.

Think Practical:

Consider the specific needs of your assignment and the resources available in your host community. Will you need teaching supplies, agriculture materials like seeds that can't be sourced locally, or games and gifts for your host family? Prioritize these items while being mindful of weight restrictions. I highly recommend looking into what can and can't be found locally. You can usually get a good idea by searching for travel videos of people in a market in your country -- a country's market says a lot about their priorities, way of life, and needs.

Remember, you’ll likely acquire new items during your time abroad—pieces you’ll want to bring back home. Personally, I ended up with more than four suitcases of belongings, including traditional outfits that I cherished. It’s wise to keep in mind how much space you’ll have for souvenirs, gifts, or clothing you’ll pick up and plan accordingly so you don’t face tough decisions about what stays and what goes when it’s time to return.

Engage with the Peace Corps Community:

Contact current or former Peace Corps volunteers who have served in your assigned country. They can offer valuable insights and firsthand advice on what to pack. Online forums like Reddit and social media groups dedicated to Peace Corps volunteers are great resources for connecting with experienced individuals.

Ultimately...

It’s important to remember that you aren’t just traveling for a few weeks—you’re essentially moving abroad for two years. While it’s tempting to try to cover every “what if” scenario, you’ll quickly realize it’s impossible to prepare for every single contingency with limited luggage space. Some items you bring may end up gathering dust at the back of your closet, while you’ll wish you’d packed others that you didn’t think you’d need. I, for one, wish I had packed fewer shoes and more seeds to share different types of produce with my community. You will make mistakes in your packing process, but that's the point!

In my experience, there was plenty I could have purchased locally at a much lower cost—simple household items, extra clothing, and even teaching supplies often turned out to be more readily available than I initially assumed. By staying flexible and open to your new environment, you can save valuable suitcase space and support local businesses. Rather than overstuffing your bags, plan to adapt once you arrive. You’ll find the items you genuinely need and discover practical alternatives, which is a big part of why RPCVs are often lauded for their resourcefulness!

You will make mistakes in your packing process, but that's the point! My best advice is to enjoy the process and allow yourself to learn. Remember, life abroad is more about adaptation than having a perfectly curated suitcase. You’ll learn to be creative with limited resources, discover new favorite clothing styles, and possibly adopt local habits you never expected. Packing is just the first step in a journey that will be full of surprises, challenges, and moments of growth. So, do your best with your luggage, but stay open to the idea that what you need—and want—can evolve as you settle into your new home.