Packing for your first volunteer trip with Global Brigades can help set the stage for a meaningful, impactful experience. This guide will help you make a list of everything you need, from the proper paperwork to appropriate clothing, so that you can focus on making a difference.
What you pack for your Brigade may depend on the work you’ll be doing and the partner destination you’re traveling to, but there are some essential items to bring no matter what.
Global Medical Brigades is known for its sustainable impact on partner communities and the support we offer volunteers from start to finish. Join us in continuing to grow the largest student-led movement for global health.
Required Documents
Any international trip requires some legwork to make sure you’re able to visit that country.
If you have citizenship out of the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, contact your local consulate and airline for visa requirements for Brigade partner countries. Start any visa processes at least 3 months before your Brigade.
We can provide additional guidance on passport and visa requirements, but it’s up to you to gather the necessary documents well before your trip.
Here is a broad overview of documents you may need before your trip:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected return date)
- 2 paper copies of your passport information page
- Visas (if needed)
- Travel itinerary with flight, accommodation, and transportation information
- Health documents (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good research tool for vaccine requirements by destination)
- Copy of travel insurance policy
- Emergency contact information
Appropriate Clothing and Footwear
Whether you’re coming up with a packing list for Ghana, Greece, or Honduras, pack light so you don’t infringe on airline baggage requirements and make it easier to get around upon arrival. A duffel bag is great for packing and transport.
Keep your Brigade clothing options casual. You won’t need any formal clothing or expensive jewelry during your time with us. Expect to get dirty, sweaty, and muddy.
That said, you’re still representing Global Brigades. Dress for comfort but in a way that respects our partners abroad. You can bring shorts, leggings, tank tops, and sandals, but only for your time at the lodging facility. Those wouldn’t be appropriate for your work at our clinics or in the field.
Here’s a list of what we recommend you pack for clothing and footwear:
- T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or scrub pants for volunteer work (Non-licensed professionals are not allowed to wear scrub tops while volunteering at our clinics)
- Closed-toe sneakers or boots
- Athletic socks
- Underwear/bras
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Light rain jacket
- Sweatshirt to layer
- Small daypack
- Work gloves (To keep your hands protected from blisters or burns during infrastructure work)
- Shower shoes
- Swimsuit
Necessary Toiletries
You know yourself best regarding personal items you consider essential vs. non-essential. Bring any necessary toiletries wrapped in plastic baggies in case of spillage. Bring along extra plastic bags to keep valuables dry. Unless you’re checking a bag, limit liquids to 3.4 ounces or less.
Here are a few suggestions to help you plan:
- Antiperspirant/deodorant
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Soap/body wash
- Razors (with fixed-cartridge blades), shaving cream
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss
- Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
- Hairbrush/comb
- Feminine hygiene products
Prescription Medications
While we have medical personnel and pharmacists on staff at each Brigade, you should plan to refill any regular medications before your Brigade to cover the duration of your trip. Bring prescription medications in their original bottles with refill information, just in case.
In addition to vaccine requirements by country, we always recommend that our volunteers be up-to-date on routine vaccinations. That includes chickenpox, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, flu, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), polio, and shingles.
Plan to meet with your doctor before your Brigade about any additional vaccinations or health needs that should be addressed for a safe and healthy trip. That includes medications for things like altitude sickness if you’ll be spending time at elevation.
Sunscreen
Much of the work we do on Brigades is under the sun. Even when working with the community or spending time at the lodging facility, sun exposure is to be expected. Protect yourself with regular sunscreen applications. Bring a lip balm that doubles as a sun protectant, too!
Insect Repellent
This is a must on Brigades to protect yourself from irritating bites and mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito bracelets are easy to bring along and effective.
If you want to bring along a topical cream or bug spray, note that aerosols are only allowed in checked luggage. Any liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or less in your carry-on bags.
Travel Adapters
Bring electric outlet adapters for any electronics you plan to use on your Brigade. We recommend laptops to support data input on most of our volunteer trips, but talk to your organizer if you’re unsure about bringing your computer.
Water Bottle
It’s important to drink plenty of water on Brigades to avoid dehydration and resulting symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Bring a stainless steel or hard plastic water bottle or water bladder to refill water throughout the day.
We provide safe drinking water for all volunteers on Brigades, and refillable options meet our mission of reducing our footprint and promoting a sustainable impact in partner communities.
Preferred Snacks and Downtime Activities
Any non-essential items may depend on how much room you have left in your luggage or rucksack.
You may need an alarm clock or flashlight, or you can just use your cell phone in airplane mode. Consider bringing along items for downtime activities like playing cards, books, or travel-sized games and a few small bills for souvenirs. (USD is accepted on all Brigades.)
We provide volunteers with all of their meals on a Brigade, but consider packing some preferred snacks if dietary restrictions limit your options.
Depending on the Brigade, you may be asked to bring along pens, pencils, and notebooks to take notes. A journal is always a good idea to reflect on your Brigade and help jog your memory when it’s time to talk about your experience.
Preparation Sets You Up for Success
Our global impact is always a priority, but we wouldn’t be able to do our work without our volunteers. Supporting volunteers before they embark on Brigades is an important piece of ensuring a safe, comfortable, and meaningful volunteer trip.
If you have any outstanding questions about your Brigade packing list or aren’t sure about paperwork requirements, reach out to us. We want you to feel as ready as possible for what we know will be an impactful experience.
Ready to learn more? Sign up for a Medical Brigade to help us create change and support long-lasting impacts on the global health community.
