1. Do not freak out about packing! If there is specific product that you use that is hard to find in the states, bring a lot of them. If you use generic products, you’re good! It’s also okay to change products while on the race, you will survive!
2. Download Venmo before you leave. Venmo is an app like PayPal where you can pay people online. It makes splitting checks a lot easier when one person pays and everyone can Venmo them. You need to have a phone number to activate your account. I made this mistake by downloading it after I left…doesn’t work.
3. WhatsApp is used everywhere! It’s so nice to be able to keep in contact with people you meet. Also a lot of countries have data plans where WhatsApp is free and won’t use any precious data.
4. If you can bring a phone that is unlocked, do it! Sims are so cheap in other countries, and relatively simple to get data on your phone. It’s really nice for team leaders and treasurers especially. Wifi sometimes is sometimes only available on off days, and it’s really nice to not feel like you have to use your off day to chase wifi. Use your off days for rest and adventure!
5. Make sure to bring at least one apple product. AirDrop is amazing! Instead of everyone giving their phone to the nice stranger that agreed to take the group photo…use one iPhone, airdrop it out!
6. Bring clothes you would wear back home. I know the world race typical outfit is chacos, oversized t-shirts, and (if you are following the dress code, which of course you will be) knee length shorts. You do not have to fall into that. If you do great, if not that’s ok. Jeans have been my favorite thing I bought on the race. I didn’t bring any because I fell for the advice, “you’ll never wear them.” They are just a nice way to feel normal.
Month 1
Month 11
7. Don’t bring a travel sized Bible. This is just my personal opinion, but my favorite thing I brought on the race is my journaling Bible. It’s big, but totally worth it! I’ve been able to write specific dates throughout the year where the Lord spoke to me, or memories related to counties. I also marked in what country I read a certain book. It’s basically a bible scrapbook of memories.
8. Journal! I know journaling isn’t for everyone. I didn’t really do it before the race, but I have successfully written everyday. It’s so nice to look back on previous months. You will do a lot of things and meet a lot of people this year. It’s hard to remember everything. Journaling is worth it.
9. Get a Charles Schwab debit card. I feel very strongly about this one. You will use atms so much on the race, and ATM fees are killer. However, Charles Schwab reimburses all fees! It really is amazing! I’ve seen ATM fees as high as $8! Plus it’s so nice not having to scope out which one has the lowest fees.
10. Always carry toilet paper with you. Most places will not provide you will toilet paper, especially in Asia. Using hands to wipe is a common thing for locals, so make sure you are always packing. And to be frank, sometimes going out in nature is a better option then the provided holes in the ground. Nature also doesn’t provide toilet paper, FYI.
11.Enjoy this year! This is going to be an amazing year. But there are also going to be hard times. Times when you think you can’t do it anymore, that you never should never have signed up, that you aren’t qualified enough to do this thing. Those are all lies! This year is honestly going to be what you make of it. Choose joy, go all in with your teams, and love people the way Jesus did!
