Packing list for Ukraine
From Peace Corps Wiki
| Packing List for Ukraine | ||
 | These lists has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Ukraine based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! |  See also: For information see Welcomebooks |
See also an alternative packing list
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Ukraine and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything we mention, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have a 100-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Ukraine.
Luggage should be tough and flexible, like duffel bags and backpacks without external frames. When choosing luggage, remember that you will be hauling it in and out of buses and trains and often lugging it around on foot (there are no porters!).
Contents |
General Clothing
Bring comfortable, professional-looking clothes that are appropriate for many occasions and can be layered according to the weather. (Note: you are expected to dress professionally during training.) Because you may be wearing the same clothes for two years, quality is more important than quantity. It is culturally acceptable in Ukraine to have a small wardrobe, so do not overpack. In addition, clothes should be wrinkle-free (polyester-cotton blends are recommended), easy to clean, and dark colored (you are likely to be washing your clothes by hand and cleaning whites is a chore!). It is possible to buy clothes in Ukraine, but selection and sizes are limited in the smaller towns.
- Trench coat for spring and fall and possibly a light jacket
- Full-length, winter coat or parka with lining (it is possible to buy a good, winter coat in country)
- Lightweight and heavyweight sweaters
- Gloves or mittens, preferably wool; glove liners are nice, too (and available locally)
- Hats (even if your head isn’t cold, the babushkas will make you wear a hat)
- Long, thermal underwear (cotton or silk)
- Good quality socks (brands like Bridgedale, Smartwool, and Teko are recommended)
- Casual clothes: jeans, walking shorts, T-shirts, turtlenecks
- Lounge wear: Adidas track pants (the popular choice of Ukrainian men and women of all ages)
- Swimsuit (in Ukraine, women of all ages, shapes, and sizes wear bikinis. It is the norm for men to wear Speedos)
For Men
- Slacks for professional wear; in most cases, corduroy pants or khakis with a blazer and tie are acceptable in schools and universities. Note, however, that khaki pants are a rarity and will certainly distinguish a Volunteer from his colleagues as most Ukrainian men prefer to wear dark-colored trousers. Economic development Volunteers should have at least one suit (can be bought or custom-made in Ukraine).
- Shirts for professional wear
- Jackets
- Ties
For Women
- Professional attire: one suit or professional separates
- Variety of slacks for different seasons, preferrably in dark colors and with belt loops
- Blouses and Tops (with a bit of stretch, will hold up better in the wash)
- Durable stockings (available in Ukraine, though not in all sizes)
- Good quality bras and underwear (the selection here leaves quite a bit to be desired)
Shoes
- Comfortable, durable shoes for work (you will be doing a lot of walking), which are not easy to find in Ukraine
- Warm, waterproof boots that are dressy enough to wear with work clothes and large enough to wear with a pair of warm socks (although boots are available in Ukraine, large sizes for women may be difficult to find)
- Heavy-duty sandals (e.g., Tevas)
- Athletic shoes
- Slippers (you will wear these a lot, as Ukrainians remove their shoes as soon as they walk in the door, but they are readily available in Ukraine)
- Traction aids (e.g., Yaktrax): Walking on slippery roads in winter might be challenging as it increases risk of falls and traumatic injuries; traction aids will help you feel confident and safe when walking on ice.
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
Unless you have to have specific brands, you can get almost everything you need—e.g., shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste, antiperspirant, hairspray, coloring products, razors—in Ukraine. Things to consider bringing:
- Two pairs of eyeglasses, if you wear them; also consider bringing a repair kit
- Two-year supply of contacts lens solutions (the Peace Corps does not provide supplies for contacts)
- Three-month supply of any prescription medication you take
- Makeup (also available in Ukraine if you are not particular about brand)
- Start-up supply of feminine hygiene products (widely available in stores, bazaars, and kiosks, but it may take some time to determine where to get what you want)
- Moisturizing hand cream
- Hand sanitizer that does not require water
- Foot aids such as pads for corns, if you have tender feet
- Tweezers
- Nail clipper or emery boards (although they can be found in Ukraine as well)
- Dental floss (which can also be found in bigger towns and cities, but rarely in small towns and villages)
- Special vitamins or supplements (the Peace Corps provides multivitamins) Kitchen
You can easily buy most kitchen supplies in Ukraine. There are a few items, however, you might consider bringing:
- Basic cookbook (bring a vegetarian cookbook if you prefer vegetarian dishes); a cookbook of dishes that can be prepared from locally available products will be provided to you
- Favorite recipes
- Measuring cups and spoons with both metric and nonmetric markings
- Oven thermometer
- Good vegetable peeler (virtually non-existent in Ukraine; the locals use a knife)
- Artificial sweetener (sugar and honey are available)
- Brown sugar (Even better, bring molasses to make brown sugar. Easier to transport.)
- Durable garbage bags (in Ukraine, they tend to be flimsy and small)
- Twist ties
- Plastic storage bags (one-quart and one-gallon freezer bags are best)
- Favorite seasonings, such as Tabasco sauce, vanilla, Old Bay seasoning, cloves, taco spices, cumin, cayenne pepper, chili powder, soy sauce, and basil (although many spices are available locally at a fraction of the price)
- Favorite foods such as chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, popcorn, and gravy and salad dressing mixes
Miscellaneous
- DVD player with a power converter (while DVD players are widely available in Ukraine, they are much more expensive than in the States)
- Free Weights. The Peace Corps will give you a Dyna-Band, but a set of 10lbs dumbbells will help you to feel fit through the long winter of starchy carbs.
- Shortwave radio for getting international news
- iPod, mp3 player, thumb desk Favorite tapes or CDs
- Laptop computer with a good surge protector; if you bring one, be sure to insure it
- Digital camera (useful for e-mailing and posting photos on the Web) or 35 mm camera with replacement batteries (film and processing are available in Ukraine)
- Medium-sized daypack for weekend travel
- Umbrella (available in Ukraine)
- Durable, water-resistant, and inexpensive watch, with an alarm if possible; an extra battery is also useful
- Reliable alarm clock that runs without electricity
- Small but powerful flashlight, perhaps one that attaches to a key chain (can be bought in Ukraine)
- Neck safe or money belt (it is safest to carry your money and passport on your person)
- Sewing kit (with safety pins)
- Swiss Army knife with corkscrew or Leatherman tool (very useful)
- Duct tape (can be used for all sorts of things)
- Pictures of home to show your host family, students, friends, and colleagues
- Games such as Scrabble, cards, Frisbee, Uno, Nerf football
- Quick-drying travel towel (available at www.rei.com) and washcloths
- Travel books (e.g., Lonely Planet and Let’s Go: Eastern Europe) and other books to read
- Day planner
- U.S. and world maps
- Compact sleeping bag (for traveling on trains and visiting Peace Corps friends)
- Dictionary
- Suntan lotion (selection of brands here is limited)
- Notecards and greeting cards