When preparing to travel to Ukraine, you should pack as light as possible. The more luggage you have, the more you have to lug around in Ukraine or get lost in the airports. This is just a suggested list of items you could choose to bring with you to Ukraine. You can find almost any supplies you may need while in Ukraine and usually at prices cheaper than in America, so the less you take, the better.

Luggage:

• Instead of bringing big, bulky suitcases, it is recommended for you to bring all of your luggage in duffelbags that have wheels. You can purchase these duffelbags at Walmart for $20 to $25 each.

• Do not bring fancy suitcases because you will immediately stand out as wealthy tourists and a target for mugging.

• Fancy suitcases may also increase your chances of having them stolen before you can claim them at the airport.

• The less luggage you have, the better for everyone. You will have less possible to lose, less you and your facilitator must carry, and less that will have to fit in the small Ukrainian vehicles.

• We recommend bringing one large duffelbag and one carry-on per person. Some flights restrict the number of carry-ons to one per person despite the airline's normal policies.

• Northwest and KLM Airlines restrict checked luggage weight to 70 lbs and its dimensions (h+w+l) to 48 inches.

• Northwest Airlines restricts carry-on luggage weight to 40 lbs, but KLM's limit is 20 lbs. Both airlines allow carry-on luggage to have dimensions (h+w+l) up to 36 inches.

Packing Tips:

• Use packing cubes or a compression packing system, such as the packmate which is a giant zip-loc bag that has a vent to remove the air. These enable you to pack bulky things like winter coats, towel sets, and blankets in about 20-50% of the space they normally take up.

• Use travel size products for shampoos, shaving cream, soaps, dishsoap, laundry kits, or favorite cosmetics.

• Remember too that all of these products can be purchased in Ukraine in stores and in the open markets. The prices are lower and it saves you the packing space.

• Do not pack curling irons, hair dryers, or clothes irons in your luggage. They will most likely blow up when used even with a converter. You can purchase all of these items in Ukraine that have the proper electrical plugs for less than $5 each.

Clothing:

• You will notice that your facilitator, translator, and driver will only wear two or three outfits the entire three to four weeks you are in Ukraine. They carry one small duffel bag the whole time.

• Bring a week's worth of underwear and socks. You can always wash your clothes in the bathtub or sink.

• Wear the jeans (and winter coat if applicable) on the plane, so you can keep comfortable and save luggage space.

• Bring your bathing suits in case you are sent to the Crimea region and to relax in the swimming pools in Warsaw.

• Bring a pair of nice slippers to wear inside the flat (apartment). It is a Ukrainian custom to not wear shoes indoors.

• You only need one pair of shoes. Be sure they are very comfortable walking shoes.

• Summer - Women: Most Ukrainian women will be wearing dresses, however, very few wear pantyhose. If you want to fit in, women should bring two dresses, two pairs of jean shorts, and three shirts. You should also bring one pair of jeans and a sweatshirt if it gets cool in the evenings.

• Summer - Men: Most Ukrainian men wear dress pants, jeans, sports pants (Nike, Adidas, etc), and shorts. Basically, you can dress like you do at home. Bring one nice-looking outfit, including slacks and a dress shirt, for court. To wear on other days, bring two pairs of jean shorts and three shirts. You should also bring one pair of jeans and a sweatshirt if it gets cool in the evenings.

• Winter - Men and Women: Ukrainian winters are colder than most Americans are used to. You should bring along underwear, warm socks, gloves, a warm hat, and a winter coat. You still need to bring one nice outfit to wear to court (Women - a winter dress or nice pant outfit; Men - slacks and a dress shirt). On other days, you should have three pairs of warm pants, three or four warm shirts (turtlenecks, sweaters, or sweatshirts). For the cold nights, men and women should bring a warm robe, and if like, a nightgown or pajamas.

Packing For Children:

• A lot of what you take depends on the age of the child you adopt. Many families fall in love with children that are not the same gender or age that they had planned to adopt.

• Do not pack clothes for the children. You can buy almost everything you need in Ukraine for less money.

• Do pack wipes and pull-ups. You cannot find these items in Ukraine. Diapers can be found throughout Ukraine.

• Be sure to bring one sippy cup, one bottle, one pacifier, a soft baby blanket, and a couple of baby toys. You can find these in Ukraine, but it doesn't hurt to have them.

• Baby shampoo, baby soap, and baby lotion can all be found in Ukraine.

• Do take baby and children's tylenol, cold medicine, diaper rash, etc.

• Pack a few ziploc bags of animal crackers, raisins, cookies, cheerios, etc to give to the children. If you adopt a child that does not like or is too old/young for the snacks, you can always give the snacks to another family or a nurse at the orphanage.

• Do not bring a stroller or playpen. You can purchase these and other similar items easily in Ukraine and for a lot cheaper.

• You may or may not wish to bring a Snuglie. You can find them in Ukraine, but they might be hard to locate.

Adult Medications:

• Leave all medications in their original containers. If you need to bring several prescription medicines, Customs officals may question you. Prepare a complete listing of all your prescription medications, their names, dosage, doctor's name and number, and purpose.

• If you have prescription medication needs, be sure to bring enough for at least one month.

• Imodium AD for diarrhea

• Pepto-Bismal or Zantac 75 for upset stomach

• Robitussin DM for cough suppression

• Sudafed for nasal congestion

• Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain/fever

• Tylenol PM for the overseas flight to Ukraine

• Vagisil or Monistat 7 for yeast infections

• Dramamine for motion sickness

• Cipro (prescription required) in case of sickness caused by water-borne parasites or bacteria

Children Medications:

• Many families fall in love with children that are not the same gender or age that they had planned to adopt. It is better to be prepared with infant, toddler, and junior medications than to have the wrong kind.

• Use the proper age appropriate type of medication (Infant, Children's, Juniors), but use the child's weight to determine dosage or your pediatrician's instructions.

• Thermometer - the forehead-sticking or the electronic types are easiest to work with

• Dosage spoon or syringe calibrated in cc or ml

• Tylenol (infant suspension, Children's, and Junior's) or Ibuprofen (infant suspension, Children's, and Junior's)

• Diaper rash lotion, such as Mycelex, Lotrimin or Nystatin cream

• Children's chewable Dramamine

• Children's and Infant's Cough/Cold medicine

• Latex gloves to be used when changing diapers to guard against giardia or other intestinal parasites

Miscellaneous:

• If you like to read, you can take some books with you and discard them or give them to your facilitator after you have read them.

• Clothes washing kit made for traveling or camping.

• Two towels from home. Towels can be pack, beach, or regular.

• Baby wipes and a travel container for them.

• Toilet paper can be purchased in Ukraine. If you are the sensitive type, a few rolls of Charmin would be nice.

• Travel Alarm Clock

• Nice sturdy flashlight (can be given away as a gift later)

• Camera and plenty of film

• Polaroid camera with plenty of film

• Bring several batteries for all of your electronic items. Batteries can be purchased easily in Ukraine, so do not bring too many.

• Small photo album of family membes, pets, and home

• One money belt for each traveler

• One money pouch to wear around the neck for passports

• Optional: Camcorder, tapes, and two or three fully-charged batteries.

• Optional: Digital camera

• Optional: Laptop

• Different size ziploc bags

• 20 letter envelopes for organizing your money in

• Russian/English dictionary (preferably phonetically based)

• Bug repellent

• Each person should carry copies of all travelers' passports and visas

• Peanut butter

• Optional: Coffee singles (especially if you want decaf), tea bags, and a few snacks

• Electric Travel Converter and Eastern European adapter

• Journal notebook

• Kwickpoint card to communicate with others if your translator is not around.