What to Pack When Volunteering Abroad

Volunteering abroad is magical if you’re properly prepared—and what to pack when volunteering abroad is Preparation 101. Whether you’re preparing to volunteer abroad with animals or teaching ESL, this article outlines your essential packing list for volunteering abroad. 

Pro Tip: Minimize your belongs, maximize your adventures. ✊

Lugging a bag of unnecessary unmentionables around the world is about as nightmarish as it sounds. Don’t be that guy. A well thought out packing list is the best way to avoid the overpacking epidemic. There’s nothing like an itemized list to shut down that devil on your shoulder whispering “But you might NEED those extra five outfits and seven pairs of shoes…” (Spoiler: This list definitely does not include seven pairs of shoes.) 

Here's what to think about AND what to pack when volunteering abroad!

Why you need to nail your volunteer abroad packing list

Perfecting your packing list for volunteering abroad is about more than going minimalist. It’s about ensuring you have what you need to take care of yourself, so that you can fully dedicate yourself to the service of others. You can’t bring your volunteer A game if you’ve forgotten your undergarments or require a small army of minions to cart your luggage around.

The temptation is to overpack, but ironically this doesn’t guarantee you’ll have what you need. With the throw-it-all-in-the-night-before-you-leave approach, you’ll end up with a 50-kilo bag full of clutter (which you’ll promptly have to abandon 27 kilo of at the airport in an embarrassing public display). A solid plan for what to pack when volunteering abroad will ensure you have just what you need, and not a single sock more. 

Use this packing list for volunteering abroad as a base to create your own personalized volunteer abroad packing list. Customize after a bit of soul searching about 1) where you’re going, 2) what you’ll be doing, 3) how long you’ll be there, and 4) what you need to be your best self while abroad.

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Keep it light and you’ll never miss a flight! ✈️?

The skinny on what to pack for your volunteer trip abroad

This general packing list for volunteering abroad should fit in a carry on bag. “Does my whole volunteering abroad packing list need to fit in a carry on bag?!” you ask. While this isn’t technically a requirement, carrying all of your luggage on the plane ensures you won’t have to fork over baggage fees or deal with lost luggage. #doublewin “Going carry on” is all the rage on the travel runways for a reason; just don’t get popped with more than 3.4 ounces of liquid and it will be smooth sailing. 

Without further ado, the whole truth and nothing but the truth on what to pack for your volunteer trip abroad:

Luggage

Before you start asking what to pack when volunteering abroad, you must first ask where to pack it! Very literally the glue that holds your life together while volunteering abroad, your luggage can make or break an otherwise beautiful trip. If the rest of this list seems overwhelming, start with your pack. Whether you’re a tried-and-true backpack loyalist or a chic urban trolley touter—or even if you’re still stuck in the dark ages of duffel bags—having a solid way to carry your belongings around the world is just really important. 

The right luggage configuration to hold together your volunteering abroad packing list depends on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Go for something light that you can strap on your back if you’ll be trekking through the Amazon. For inner city volunteer trips, opt for a “rollie” to save your shoulders.

Whatever shape and size you settle on, go for something small to keep your volunteering abroad packing list in check. As a reference point, a 45 liter bag should be plenty of space for a two week trip when packed effectively. Throw in a day pack and a lightweight, compressible bag for storage overflow (also perfect for laundry day).

Keep your documents in check and in a safe place. ??

Documents

It’s easy to wax romantic about the many joys and wonders of traveling abroad, but you won’t make it far without the right paperwork on your volunteer abroad packing list. Generally, I’m all for saving the trees by going digital, but when it comes to spotty airport wifi and dead phone batteries, you’ll be glad you have a hard copies of the crucial paperwork. Most importantly, this includes your:

• Passport—The holy grail of travel documents. Don’t leave home without it. 
• Secondary ID, such as a driver’s license or student ID—Having a backup form of identification really comes in handy if you’re in a snafu abroad. Plus, student IDs give you access to discounts, and driver’s licenses give you access to cars.
• Boarding pass—Especially if you’re flying on budget airlines, forgetting to print your boarding pass before you get to the airport can be an expensive mistake. Don’t give Ryanair any more of your hard-earned money than you have to.
• Travel itinerary—In the event that an intimidating border guard asks what your plans are, you’ll be glad you have a paper copy on hand. Some countries require a printed itinerary documenting how and when you’re leaving the country before they let you in. Be sure to confirm entry requirements for your destination before departure.
• Arrival details—Write down or print off any information about pre-arranged transportation from the airport and local accommodation and contacts. 
• Debit/credit card(s)—Before you travel, contact your bank to find out about foreign transaction fees and alert them about your travels. Most banks have fraud protection systems that will automatically block your card if you use it overseas without notifying them. If you’re being charged hefty foreign transaction fees, consider switching to a bank that’s fee-free like US-based Charles Schwab.
• Cash mon-ay—Always keep some cash on hand in US dollars or Euro. Sometimes ATMs are bountiful, and sometimes they are not. Best to be prepared.

Additional paperwork that’s not required, but strongly recommended:

• Copies of your passport and secondary ID—You’ll be glad you have these if the originals are lost or stolen.
• Passport photos—Dealing with this admin task at home will save you time and money when you need a passport photo for visa applications and the like.
• Copies of your medical records—Some countries require you to show proof of vaccinations or a clean bill of health. Confirm requirements with the embassy nearest to you.
• Book(s)—At least one item in this section should be fun! Bring along a book (or two, if you’re a speed reader) to fill time in transit and inspire you along the way. Double points for books about your destination or volunteering abroad.

Toiletries

Try to keep personal hygiene products to a minimum, but be sure you have what you’ll need to feel comfortable and clean. The following are good basics to have around, but even these can likely be purchased in your country of destination as you need them.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste—Don’t scare off your new volunteer site hosts and coworkers with halitosis of international proportions. 
• Deodorant—Good for you and the person in the seat next to you.
• Soap—Ideally, opt for one all-purpose product that works for hair and skin.

Remember: If you’re going the carry on route, your liquids need to be under 3.4 ounces and all fit in a small Ziplock bag. The easiest (albeit spendy) way to do this is to buy travel-sized products. To be economical, refill pilfered hotel shampoo bottles or reusable containers from the larger bottles you use at home.

Electronics

Electronics will be your best friend when it comes to capturing the moments! ??

The gadgets and gizmos you need in your volunteering abroad packing list depend entirely on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Headed somewhere remote without electricity or internet? Leave expensive electronics at home. Planning to volunteer as a photographer? Load up the equipment, and capture everything. Below is a general list of electronics to facilitate logistics and offer entertainment while volunteering abroad.

• Mobile phone and charger—Call your carrier to determine if/how you can use your phone overseas. With an unlocked phone, you can buy a local SIM card and use local data and phone plans. This is usually the most affordable and convenient option. Don’t forget to pack the charger too!
• Music player and headphones – The universal language, music makes international travel better. Set yourself up with a lightweight way to rock out on the road.
• Power adaptor—If you’re going somewhere with different plugs than you use at home, don’t forget this crucial electricity translator.

Think carefully about whether you need a computer in your volunteer abroad packing list. For short trips, a smartphone offers most things a computer does without the weight. If you don’t need it to fulfill your volunteering duties, push yourself to spend some time away from the screen. 

Clothes

We have reached the precipice of our volunteer abroad packing list, the part which helps you avoid a real-life rerun of that nightmare where you show up at the airport naked and unprepared. Clothes are the bulk of any packing list for volunteering abroad, and they’re also the trickiest part. It’s easy to get carried away when packing clothing, because most of us don’t know what will suit our mood and activity schedule upon arrival.

Leave your fancy clothes back home—try shopping for some new outfits at your local markets while volunteering abroad! ?

Choosing the right clothing for your packing list for volunteering abroad should start with a scan of the weather where you’re going and a review of your volunteering duties. If you’re volunteering in the Arctic Circle, you can probably leave your flip-flops at home. For tropical volunteer placements, you’re not going to need a down jacket and wool socks. Below is a general list for all weather conditions. Take this with a grain of salt, and adjust for your style and destinations.

• An all-purpose winter jacket—This should be something that can weather any weather: rain, snow, sleet, or wind. (Pro tip: Wear your bulky jacket on the flight to save weight and space in your luggage.)
• Warm base layers—These are the ideal warmth-weight ratio. You get a lot of warmth for few additional kilos with a nice wool undershirt and leggings. If you think you’ll using them a lot, pack two, or plan on doing nightly sink washing.
• 5-7 shirts—Give yourself a range of long- and short-sleeved options depending on local weather conditions and customs. Look into what people wear where you’re going, and pack things that are appropriate. If you’re volunteering abroad long-term, you can double this to add a bit of variety to your wardrobe. 
• 3-5 bottoms—A couple pairs of shorts or skirts and a few pairs of pants will do the trick. Cater your selection based on what you’ll be doing as a volunteer. If you’re volunteering in a downtown office, you’ll need more professional attire than if you’re helping out on a farm, where you won’t have any use for a suit jacket.
• A week’s worth of underwear—You could probably do with less if you’re willing to sink wash regularly, but this will give you a convenient weekly laundry cycle.
• A week’s worth of socks—Select a variety of light socks for warm days and heavy wool snugglies for chilly nights. You won’t need a whole week’s worth if you’re headed somewhere beachside where you’ll be in scandals most days.
• Shoes—Usually two pairs will do the trick: scandals for the beach/shower and good walking shoes for everything else. Wear the walking shoes on the plane, and pack your light scandals. Volunteering abroad is not the time to show off your shoe collection.
• A scarf—Opt for something warm if you’re going somewhere cold. Otherwise, go for something lighter that can double as a beach wrap or picnic blanket.
• Sunglasses—Protect your vision and look cool. ‘Nuff said.
• A swimsuit / swim trunks—Even if you’re not volunteering abroad with marine animals, opportunities to take a dip usually come up at some point. Don’t miss out because you don’t have anything to swim in!

Don’t see your favorite item of clothing listed here? Bring what you feel comfortable in! Volunteering abroad is not a runway in Milan, so give function priority over fashion. But don’t stretch your style so far that you feel like you’re playing Indiana Jones dress up with your volunteer abroad packing list.

Odds ‘n’ Ends

What to pack for your volunteer trip abroad doesn’t all quite fit into neat categories. A few additional bits and bobs that will improve your volunteering abroad experience:

• Notebook and pen—Keep a journal of your adventures or just jot down contact info when you meet a new friend on the train.
• Water bottle—Staying hydrated is one of the cheapest, simplest things you can do to stay healthy when volunteering abroad. A reusable water saves the planet and your wallet from plastic waste.
• Towel—A lightweight travel towel can really come in handy if you get stuck in accommodation without linens or decide to go swimming. 
• Packing cubes—Very helpful for not breaking your zippers with exploding contents, cubes keep your volunteering abroad packing list organized and contained.

At the end of the day, it’s not about things…. It’s about moments. Remember who you’re doing this for. ?

Oh no! What if I left something important off of my volunteering abroad packing list?

Never fear, grasshopper. This packing list for volunteering abroad will indeed make your life easier, but almost anything can be purchased wherever you’re headed. Sure, it might not be your favorite brand or taste quite like what you’re used to back home, but in most cases, you’ll be able to find what you need abroad. 

Unless you’ve forgotten your passport. Then you’re going to need to make a quick U-turn.

Download this checklist to ensure you are prepared to volunteer abroad

Bonus tips on what to pack for your volunteer trip abroad

Looking for a second opinion on your list? Check out the articles below for savvy tips and additional cautionary tales about overpacking.

• How I’ll Change My International Travel Packing List Next Time
• Your New Volunteer Abroad Mini-Packing List & Planning Timeline
• How to Prepare for Volunteering Abroad
• Don't forget to pack the most important of volunteer qualities

Find even more inspiring info in our Volunteer Articles library.

Easy come, easy go… Carry on, carry on

Take it from Queen: when it comes to what to pack when volunteering abroad, less is more. Armed with small pack of essentials, you can spend your time abroad focused on experiences and people, not things!

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