General Packing List

BAGGAGE INFORMATION

Remember, personal belongings are brought at your own risk! Loop Abroad will not reimburse losses resulting from misplaced, broken, damaged or stolen items. Please try to keep your bag light--you will be responsible for transporting it through the airport. If your bag exceeds weight limits on any of your flights, you will be responsible for any overage fees. Your luggage is limited to one large suitcase (or travel backpack) and one backpack for daily use. Most program locations do not have space in the transportation and housing for students to bring more than this. Almost all of the programs have access to washing if necessary and you are staying longer than two weeks. Your weight restrictions are found on your ticket and will also vary between programs.

Please fill out a luggage tag for your items. It is also smart to put identification, including your email address, on all valuable items in case they get lost or misplaced. 

If you are on a group flight, when checking in at your home airport you will only be able to check your bags to your group flight location. Once there, you will need to collect your baggage and re-check it when you check in for the group flight. Please leave yourself enough time to do so. We advise you to check www.tsa.gov for up-to-date information on permitted and prohibited items in checked or carry-on baggage, as this can change.

You are allowed a carry-on bag and a "personal item." We suggest that you bring a regular-sized backpack as your carry-on, because you will find it helpful to have as a daypack throughout the trip. Your checked bag can be a large travel backpack, a rolling duffel, or a rolling suitcase. You will not be moving the bag around very much, so you can bring whatever you find most convenient. Check airline baggage restrictions for all airlines you will be traveling with. Baggage restrictions for domestic flights are usually stricter than those for international flights.

PACKING LIST

This list is not the be-all and end-all of packing, but it’s a good place to start! You’ll be flying for a long time, so you should wear something comfortable and a sweatshirt if you want to be warm. Many people also bring a travel pillow or large scarf that doubles as a blanket.

You should bring whatever you need to be comfortable and entertained on a long flight. While there will be TV, movies, music, and food available, carrying your own preferred music, reading material, and snacks can be a good way to help the flight go by quickly. If you choose to bring an over-the-counter product to help you sleep, you should make sure you can take it safely and without adverse side effects.

Please do not have acrylic nails, gel nails, or long nails, as these can affect medical procedures and animal safety. Nails should generally be kept short. In some locations, you will not be permitted to wear jewelry, including rings, so we encourage you to leave any expensive or fancy jewelry at home.

If you are receiving credit for your program, you may have noticed required texts listed on your syllabi. Any and all required readings will be provided at your program location and are included in your program tuition - there are no readings you need to purchase or carry with you.

The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” list. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Electrical Outlets

Thailand: You can use a regular 2-prong American plug. Some 3-prong outlets are available. You may find it helpful to have a 3-to-2 adapter like this for plugging in your laptop in some locations. (Usually you can buy at the hardware store for about $1.)

The PLUGS are the same but the CURRENT is different. Your phone, laptop, and camera should be fine. DO NOT BRING ANYTHING THAT HEATS UP WHEN PLUGGED IN, like a hair dryer or hair straightener, or an electric razor or shaver. These things will instantly break when plugged into the different current and can start a fire.

Central and South America: Outlets will be the same as in the US.

Australia: Outlets are different - you will need an adapter. This global one is a popular style and can be used in almost all locations around the world. You can also get a set of these small adapters and just bring the one you need if you prefer.

South Africa: Outlets are different - you will need an adapter. This global one is a popular style and can be used in almost all locations around the world. You can also get a set of these small adapters and just bring the one you need if you prefer.

REQUIRED LIST:

• Passport, signed, valid for at least 6 months from the end of your trip. Note: if you are a US citizen going on a US program, you do not need a passport. 

• Any required prescription medications (any prescriptions you take or may take or sometimes take or have prescribed to you, including an EPI- pen or inhaler if one is prescribed to you), in original containers. THESE MUST BE LISTED ON YOUR MEDICAL FORM.

• Any over-the-counter medications or medical supplies you normally take or use or may need during your program (see below for suggested personal first aid kit) and any personal healthcare devices such as a knee brace or glasses which you sometimes require

• A personal first aid kit (see suggested items to include below)

• Refillable water bottle (Nalgene or similar hiking bottles)

• Personal supply of hand sanitizer and/or antibacterial hand wipes (We suggest a travel size bottle or single pack for the plane and a full-size bottle or multiple packs in your checked bag- enough for multiple times daily for your entire program)

• Laptop , iPad, or tablet– don’t forget your charger

• Cell phone and charger

• Notebook and at least 2 pens

• Please check the required list for your specific program as all programs will have their own special items! 

What kind of bags to bring: You can use any kind of suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack that you prefer. You should not have to buy any special luggage for this trip. The most common choice is:

One regular backpack: Used as your carry-on item to hold what you need for the plane ride and used as a daypack during the trip. Sometimes a checked bag can get lost and delayed a day or two in delivery. For this reason, we suggest that you NOT put valuables (laptop, camera, money, etc)  in your checked bag and that you also pack in your carry-on the items you’d need to get through a day without your suitcase (such as toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, a change of underwear/socks/shirt, medicine, your phone charger, etc)

One large suitcase with wheels or travel backpack: Used as your checked bag. We ask that you keep this bag under 40 pounds and ensure that you can carry it yourself. You will sometimes have to carry your bag on and off of transport. Your baggage weight limit imposed by the airline is higher than 40 pounds, but keeping your bag to 40 pounds and ensuring you can carry it will make your trip easier. If you’re unsure what to bring, please ask us.

You are responsible for any and all checked bag fees on your domestic flights connecting you from home to the international flight.

In your carry-on bag or backpack, we suggest:

• Passport – you cannot get on the plane without this!

• Wallet – cash, your ATM card, and maybe a second ID, such as a license

• Money belt to keep your valuables safe while traveling

• Photocopy of the photo page of your passport and of your visa

• Printout of all your travel itineraries

• 1 spare tee shirt – you may want to change shirts during travel

• Clothes for 2-3 days in case your checked bag gets delayed

• Sunglasses (please don’t bring anything too expensive)

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Refillable water bottle – you can fill your bottle at the airport after going through security, and this is great to have throughout your trip

• Snacks, candy, and gum for the flight

• Book and/or deck of cards, optional

• Camera (if bringing one) – don’t forget charger/batteries/memory cards

• Music/Phone

• Laptop or tablet– don’t forget your charger

• Cell phone and charger (there is a plug and USB charger on the plane)

• Many students suggested a power bank for their phones (please not that airlines impose strict guidelines for powerbanks. They must be packed in cary-on luggage and are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours per battery. It's safest to bring powerbanks with a rating of 20000mah or less). It is a good idea to have these on all South Africa and Costa Rica programs as electricity may not be as reliable as in the US.

• Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)

• Sweatshirt or scarf/blanket

• Travel-size items for dry air on airplane (Chapstick, lotion, eye drops)

• Contacts, contact solution, and glasses if applicable

• Travel neck pillow

• Travel-size wet wipes and/or tissues

• Blue or black pen for filling out any arrival documents

In your checked bag, we suggest:

• You may want to consider a large camping/travel backpack instead of a  suitcase to be used as your checked bag for easily transporting over various terrain. However, if a large, rolling suitcase is what you have available, that will be okay. You should not have to buy any special luggage for this trip. It is your responsibility to check the weight restrictions on your baggage on the flight. 

• Photocopy of your passport and visa (in each of your bags)

• Spare batteries, if desired

• A watch – nothing too fancy, nothing that can’t get wet (something with a seconds hand for observations)

• Adequate supply of Mosquito repellant (we suggest 40% DEET or greater)

• Adequate supply of Reef-Safe Sunscreen (without oxybenzone, octinoxate, or nano-minerals) for programs near the ocean or sea. Regular sunscreen is okay for non-marine programs

• Hat or cap (for sun) 

• Ziploc or plastic bags for wet items

• Power adapter if desired

• Laundry bag or trash bag for dirty clothes

• Travel-sized laundry detergent if you plan to hand wash any items

• Underwear (cotton underwear is best for programs that will have hot, sweaty weather)

• Socks (including tall, comfortable socks for hiking boots)

• Appropriate clothes for your program- please check the weather before. It is cold in Australia and South Africa!

• Clothes for downtime and weekends: pants, shorts, tees and tanks, sweatshirt, etc.

• Pajamas (you should pack a warm option, such as a sweatshirt and pants, and a cooler option, as the weather can vary and extra warm options for Australia and South Africa)

• Baby wipes – helpful for staying clean during and after volunteer activities or when water is unavailable

• Toiletries (soap or body wash, shampoo and conditioner, chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, razors, hair brush and elastics)

• Flip-flops 

• Sanitary pads/tampons (if applicable to you): options in stores may be limited and applicator tampons are not available in Thailand. Your period schedule can be unpredictable when traveling – please come prepared

• One or two boxes of your favorite granola bar, health bar, or other pre- packaged snack. Something that won’t melt. **Note: As of 2/1/23 if you are traveling through Taipei, you should NOT bring meat products. 

• Water flavor packets (If they will help you to drink more water)

• Personal first aid kit - some wanted items might include Band-aids, Neosporin, Pepto-Bismol, Dramamine, Imodium AD, Tylenol or Ibuprofen, anti-itch cream (hydrocortisone or After-bite), and Benadryl, Electrolyte packets

• Towel (Some students prefer a microfiber travel towel). In humid locations like Thailand, you may want 2, as things can take a while to dry. 

• Any items you need to comfortably sleep in a shared room or dorm, perhaps including earplugs, a small portable fan (battery-operated), earphones, books, or an eye mask

• A head lamp can be quite helpful for night activities or a small flashlight or lantern (and batteries)

• Duct tape, in case of holes in gear

• An extra bag (zip-able tote or collapsible duffel) for bringing home souvenirs

PACKING TIPS 

• Don’t put any liquids in your carry-on bag, except for things you need on the plane. Whatever you bring on board has to be under 3 oz.

• Put all your liquid things in Ziploc bags. When in doubt, put it in a Ziploc bag. That way if something explodes, it won’t ruin all your stuff.

• Don’t bring clothes you care about too much. You’re going to get sweaty, muddy, and dusty. Bring comfortable clothing that can get dirty.

• You might bring some clothes that you don’t mind leaving behind, which will leave more room for souvenirs. At the end of the trip, we’ll donate any unwanted clothes, shoes, toiletries, and first aid items.

YOU SHOULD NOT PACK:

• Cigarettes, alcohol, or any drugs. We can’t emphasize enough how strict our (and the program country’s) drug policy is. The legal penalties for possessing even the smallest amounts of drugs such as marijuana are severe.

• Weapons of any kind, including pepper spray. Pepper spray is illegal in many locations and should not be carried on an airplane.

• Prescriptions not listed on your medical forms.

• Overly smelly toiletries (perfume, body spray) that attract mosquitoes.

• Hair dryer, hair straightener, or personal fan using a cord (cannot be safely plugged into most outlets)

• State, Federal, and International laws about the legality of marijuana and marijuana products are changing all the time, and many of them contradict one another. For this reason, we cannot permit students to use, carry, purchase, or transport ANY marijuana and hemp products, including but not limited to those legally prescribed or legally purchased. You may not bring these products on your Loop Abroad program or use them during your program, even if you have a prescription or have legally purchased them. “Marijuana and hemp products” include CBD oil, marijuana, CBD foods or teas, foods infused with marijuana, and other items that may fall under the description of illegal products under state, federal, or international law, or the laws of other countries. We cannot make any exceptions to this rule.

Note: There are links to some items that can be purchased from Amazon. You do not need to purchase these items – these links are provided in order to give you an idea of a suitable item. We have selected an affordable, suitable option with Prime shipping available to assist you if you choose to purchase these items. The links included here are affiliate links - thanks for helping to support Loop Abroad!