Items to Bring
There is no way to foresee everything that will be needed, but the following is a list of recommended items to bring, based on what we are planning to do. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but is a beginning place.
- Bible (Required)
- Comfortable but modest shorts and T-shirts - short-sleeve but not totally sleeveless
- Bicycle shorts are recommended, but whatever is most comfortable for you
- Pajamas or other modest sleepware. Where we spend the night may have family members of the other gender.
- Bathing suit - modesty is the key
- Slacks/skirt and shirt/blouse for church; slacks are fine at church for females
- Jeans or long pants - at least one pair, but most people need two
- Jacket - some nights will still be quite cool; there is usually a cold rainy spell in late June or early July
- Sweats or warm ups
- Rain poncho/rain gear
- Comfortable, versatile athletic shoes
- Medicines - All prescription meds plus Advil or Tylenol, Imodium AD, etc…
- 2 towels (one for swimming) and wash cloth
- Backpack or duffle that can be easily carried for day trips
- Flashlight (Many have used head lamps in the past.)
- Small gifts for host families (see note below)
- Travel hair dryer, 220 volts or bring a converter (see converter/adapter info in Team Hungary volunteer guide)
- Toiletries are more expensive here, so you might want to bring enough for the entire time.
You will have access to our washing machine while in Debrecen. I personally do not have enough clothes to go ten days without washing them, so while on the road we find someone to wash for us. Sometimes we have to wash them out by hand, but this is rare.
Since you may be staying with several different families it will be difficult to bring gifts for them that are very large. You may also want to have small gifts for the people you begin to make friends with. Good things to bring are pictures of yourself with your family, postcards of where you live, or other small things that can be carried very easily.