Clothing
- sweatshirt - hoodie and zip-up (it does get down to the 50s at night on 'Eua)
- rain jacket (*this is nice for biking in the rain but I highly recommend an umbrella)
- swimsuit (for swimming at resorts or for vacations) and board shorts (you don't really need the board shorts - you can use longer running shorts or tights/capris) Tongans swim in whatever they happen to be wearing at the time.
- midcalf/ankle length skirts and dresses (7) *Bring a good mix of full length and just below knee. It's nice not to wear a full length skirt when just at your house or walking around your community.
- Maxi dresses and cardigans - Don't be afraid to bring cute strapless or spagetti strap maxi dresses Tongans wear these all the time with either a cardigan over or a t-shirt under. You'll feel much cuter at the Mormon dance with a maxi dress than you will in your ugly skirt
- black outfits for funerals - You should have maybe 1 or 2 black outfits to wear because you will have to go to some funerals. The PC packing list implies that black is always safe to wear but if you wear all black someone will ask you where's the funeral or who has died
- underwear/bras/sport bras (maybe pack some underwear away in a ziplock bag for year 2 because they wear out quickly from hand washing)
- t-shirts/blouses/casual tops (do bring some nice tops for teaching...Tongan teachers wear button downs, or nice work tops not just t-shirts and you will want to have non t-shirts to wear to church because Tongans get very dressed up)
- Long cardigans for wearing over t-shirts when it's breezy
- running clothes (long basketball shorts or running tights)
- bike shorts (to wear under long skirts/wraps)
- socks (for running, also pack some away for year 2)
- running sneakers
- teva waterproof sandals (I personally never wear mine. I only ever wear flip flops and that's fine but many volunteers do love their chalkos)
- flip flops (4 pairs) Do bring extra pairs because they will wear out and the ones here are pretty cheaply made
- beaded sandals or nicer sandals (2 pairs) For church or teaching Tongan teachers will wear ballet flats or a nicer beaded sandal thats not a flip flop they also wear heels but I wouldn't bother with those because you'll break an ankle on the dirt roads * nice to have ones that slip off easily because many times you will need to take them off when entering church or someone's house
- wedge sandals -- I brought these for staging and it was a waste of time because I mailed them back home before I left LA
- jeans - awesome for going out at training and volunteer get togethers and possible to wear occasionally at least in 'Eua where it's cool (only need one pair)
- Pajamas and comfy sweats for rainy days
- 2 pairs of glasses
- 1 pair rx sunglasses
- 2 pairs of cheap sunglasses
- hat (I personally never wear mine but I never wore hats in the US either)
- watch
- cheap jewelry - Tongans always wear jewelry to church and to dancing functions
- Small purse (non leather)
- Some type of tote bag for teaching/grocery shopping (a reusable shopping bag is great)
- quick dry towels (1 full size, 1 hand towel) My quick dry towel is amazing because it dries so quickly but a real towel is also nice
- shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion/toothpaste (only a 3 month supply for homestay so you don't have to worry about buying it while at homestay. You can easily buy Suave shampoo and conditioner on any island as well as local brands of soap and toothpaste and lotion, dandruff shampoo is provided from the PCMO)
- Do bring your favorite facial moisturizer or face wash or any other product you can't live without
- deodorant (only roll-on deodorant is available here I recommend bringing enough to last you from home and then having your family or friends send it to you)
- Do bring your makeup, if you wear makeup in the states you will probably want to wear it here on occasion. Tongan girls do wear makeup to church and events.
- hand sanitizer (PC does give this to you so you don't need to really worry about it)
- multi-vitamin (PC also provides this but if you're a vegetarian maybe bring b12 or iron tablets)
- Excedrin migraine (or any other medicine you use frequently but PC provides all medicine in the Med kit so you don't need to worry about cold medicine etc)
- baby powder (available here)
- contact solution (4 bottles) -- Bring enough to last you as its really expensive here
- contacts (1 year supply)
- razors (bring from home, they're really poor quality here)
- small hand mirror (you might not have one at home stay but you can buy one for your house in nuku'alofa)
- feminine products and diva cup (bring whatever feminine product you normally use, they're really expensive here)
- toothbrush/paste/floss (3 month supply, PC provides floss and you can buy brushes and paste here)
- hair products and brush (bring your favorites, you can buy only random gels here)
- Hair elastics, etc (girls always wear their hair up)
- medications (3 month supply)
- *******PEACE CORPS PROVIDES SUNBLOCK AND BUG SPRAY*******
- leatherman (I personally never use mine but I think they boys may?)
- larger kitchen knife (the ones here are pretty dull)
- can opener (if you buy one in Tongan it will break)
- spices - Cinnamon, garlic salt, basil, oregano, etc (anything you normally use for cooking, you can buy some in Nuku'alofa or have your family send them too)
- Seeds - If you think you might want to garden, bring seeds with you I don't think you can get them here
- powdered drink mixes
- protein bars - nice to have or nice in care packages
- sewing kit
- glasses repair kit
- nalgene water bottles (2)
- sheets (2 flat) I didn't bring sheets and I didn't need them. Your homestay and then your community will provide the sheets. Some people did use their own sheets at homestay but you don't need them
- headlamp
- duct tape (you can't buy duct tape but you can get cello tape)
- zip lock bags (a variety of sizes -- helpful for teaching and around the house)
- clothes line and pins (available here, don't bring)
- measuring cups and spoons
- French press/stove top coffee maker/single cup brewer - if you drink coffee you will want this
- Coffee and Tea (only one brand of tea is available here and only instant coffee, there is no decaf anything)*you can buy real coffee in Nuku'alofa but its more expensive than in the states. Bring 2lbs and then have people send it to you.
- Netbook (I love my little portable computer its so easy and light to carry) Also you will want to have a good battery on your computer so that you can use it when the electricity goes out. You really want to bring a computer, you will be sad and want one if you don't. It's great to watch movies, listen to music, bring to an internet cafe, etc, just bring one
- Kindle with reading light (You can get by on hardcopy books because there is a great PCV exchange library at the office in Nuku'alofa, you can also get books sent in care packages so if you don't have a kindle and don't want one, don't worry)
- external hard drive ** A must for sharing movies, the more space the better
- Ipod with speakers (I don't ever use the speakers but maybe you'll want them)
- digital camera with extra battery and memory cards
- flash drives - PC may give you one during site annoucements but I'd bring another
- AA and AAA batteries (I never use my batteries but maybe I will eventually)
- electrical converter
- electrical adapter - Tonga is 220 or 240 volts... if your electronic is less than that then bring a converter
- ear plugs
- UMBRELLA - I didn't bring this and regretted it. You can buy the non travel size umbrellas here but they are cheaply made and will break. Bring a travel size one that can fit into your bag because you will use it everyday for the sun or the rain)
- hammock - I don't use mine in my small house but I know many volunteers do use them and love them
- bananagrams
- uno
- cards
- maps (world and Tonga)
- accordion folder
- notebook and journal
- stickers and prizes for students
- school supplies - You can buy notebooks, pens, rulers, pencils, some markers and your school will have some materials. It's nice to bring a set of colored marker and beginning stash of school supplies. Scotch tape and a glue stick are nice to have.
- travel alarm clock - I don't use one, I just use my cell phone
- basic fitness DVD or Zumba is great. Chose one that is very easy -- think easy for overweight older women one that doesn't use props or have on the ground exercises anything with dancing they'll love
- Christmas song book with CD
- small photo album and loose photos to hang on your wall
- small gifts for host family (not necessary, you could buy them a parting gift here, but maybe nice gesture to make)
- children's book (PC gives you some and your school might have a library)
- resistance bands and jump rope
- mask/snorkel/fins
- dry sacks (1 large and 1 small) I never use mine but maybe if you are on an outer island and travel on small boat
- English/English dictionary or a Dictionary program on your computer
- Eric Shamway Tongan Language book is super helpful I recommend using it right away during PST so you can supplement your language class
- Tonga guide book (the Other Places Publishing guidebook you can find and order on Amazon is great and written by former volunteers)
- large hiking backpack (some just bring 2 suitcases but a hiking bag is nice if you are planning to backpack/travel post service or during service)
- rolling duffel
- carry-on backpack
- Pack one backpack or suitcase for things you will need for the first 3 months at homestay and one with the rest of your things. BUT don't stress about dividing up everything ahead of time because you will have time during the first 4 days and in LA to reorganize if you need to)
