Packing Guidance for Kyrgyz Republic

In general, most items you will need are available in country and locally acquired items are often the best at helping you integrate into your community. However, locally available items may not be the brands, quality, prices, or sizes you are used to. Bringing some key items from home might make your transition to service more comfortable.

This guidance has been compiled by Peace Corps staff and Volunteers and is based on their experience. Use this information as an informal guide as you make your own packing list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect packing list!

This packing guidance is designed to help you think through different categories of items and consider what you might want to bring, considering work expectations, cultural considerations, and your own personal preferences.

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in Central Asia. The climate is continental, with cold winters and warm and sunny summers—sometimes scorching hot at low altitudes—but cooler in the mountains. From the vast deserts of the neighboring countries, winds may bring sandstorms.

Kyrgyzstan has four seasons and average temperatures are:

• Lowland temperatures in the north range from an average low temperature of 35 °F in January, the coldest month, to an average high temperature of 95 °F in summer.
• Highland regions: The January average low temperature is about -5 °F, up to an average high temperature of about 75 °F in summer. Temperatures in the winter may drop as low as -20 °F.

Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic provides the following items to Volunteers:

• Basic smart phone with dual SIM card capability
• Power bank
• Memory stick
• Fire extinguisher
• 2 smoke/carbon monoxide detectors with batteries
• Gas detector
• Water filter with replaceable filters
• Mosquito net (double size)
• Medical kit with basic first aid and over-the-counter medications, including sunblock and bug repellent
• Prescription medication as authorized
• Book “Where There Is No Doctor”
• Volunteer health handbook
• Volunteer cookbook
• Matches
• Bicycle helmet (upon request)
• Yak-Tracks for winter shoes
• Lending library available in the Peace Corps office
• Kyrgyz language resources

Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic also provides a one-time settling-in allowance for household items such as: space heater, kitchen supplies and appliances, rice cooker, bath supplies, and other household items.

Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to bring:

• Pets
• Weapons
• Explosives
• Radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted)
• Drones
• Automobiles or motorcycles
• Flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers
• Valuables such as precious jewelry or family heirlooms
• Unauthorized medications (prescribed or over-the-counter)

Drugs

Do not bring any drug that has not been authorized by the Peace Corps for medical purposes without prior consultation with Office of Volunteer Health. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Illicit drugs, including marijuana and related products such as CBD and herbal substances such as kratom, are prohibited during Peace Corps service, even if they are legal in your home of residence. If you use, possess, or distribute illicit drugs, you will be administratively separated from service and could face legal issues with the Kyrgyz authorities.

There is no need to pack a large wardrobe for service in the Kyrgyz Republic. A wide range of clothes is available in the major cities, while the assortment is limited in smaller communities. Bishkek has the largest variety of stores, including name brand stores. While most types of clothing are available, the brands and quality may be different from what you are used to. Prices at shopping malls tend to be similar to prices in the U.S. Most people buy clothing from bazaars or work with a tailor for specific sizing needs.

It can be a challenge to find larger-size clothes (XXL and above) and shoe sizes 11 and above for men and 9 and above for women.

Work clothing

For TEFL Volunteers

Teachers are role models, professionals, and respected community members. There are high expectations regarding their professional dress, which are often more strict and conservative than a U.S. classroom.

• While professionals are not expected to wear a different outfit every day, they should wear clothing that is clean and pressed.
• Some schools may have a dress code for teachers, for example, a white shirt or blouse and black pants or skirt.
• All clothing and accessories required for teachers are widely available around the country. It is recommended to purchase most of your work clothing items locally to ensure you meet the dress code and standards of your individual site. Your counterpart and host families can assist you in finding appropriate items.
• In winter, many areas of Kyrgyzstan can be quite cold; Volunteers tend dress in layers, even in classrooms. In the summer, it can be quite hot, so lighter, looser layers are recommended. Tanks tops, shorts, or short skirts are not appropriate in most communities, even on the hottest days.
• Teachers usually dress in muted colors.

There is a clear distinction between male and female attire in the Kyrgyz Republic.

• At work, female teachers are expected to wear skirts below the knee or trousers, modestly cut tops (i.e., not showing cleavage), and sleeves covering the shoulders (no sleeveless or tank tops). No stretch pants/leggings are allowed unless under skirts or long tops that completely cover the buttocks and thighs.
• At work, male teachers are expected to wear trousers and collared shirts that are tucked in. Sweaters, pullovers, and blazers can be worn over the shirt or sweater. A blazer or sport coat is commonly worn especially in formal occasions.
• Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic has also established a conservative dress code for pre-service training (PST) so Volunteers can get used to the more conservative customs in Kyrgyz Republic. Please keep in mind that dressing conservatively and covering the skin attracts less unwanted attention.

Leisure and recreation clothing

You can jog, do yoga inside your room, play soccer, hike, and participate in other outdoor sports while wearing comfortable clothes that are not tight or too revealing. Shorts at or below the knee are appropriate. Sleeveless shirts and tank tops are not recommended. Swimsuits should be modest.

Women's exercise leggings and sports bras are not widely available and may be expensive.

If you intend to hike during the summer months of your service, it is recommended to have the appropriate shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and a hat to protect against the sun and ticks.

At work:

Shoes must be clean and polished. Flip flops or athletic shoes are not appropriate. Sandals are allowed for women if they are clean and do not resemble flip flops.

Outdoors:

Hiking boots, leather shoes, or sports shoes are standard. Roads in the villages may be muddy or dusty; it is customary to wear a pair of comfortable outdoor shoes and keep a pair of clean, polished dress shoes at work. You should expect to walk more in the Kyrgyz Republic than you do in the U.S., so prioritize comfort over style for outdoor shoes.

At home:

Shoes are taken off at the front door. Inside, slippers or socks are expected. Slippers are inexpensive and widely available in country.

You should bring a 4- to 5-month supply of any prescription medications you use that are authorized/approved by the Peace Corps.

Prior to service, Peace Corps supplies all Volunteers with a medical kit containing basic, over-the-counter medications, as well as multivitamins. These, along with any authorized prescriptions, are refilled throughout service as needed.

If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs (of the current prescription) with you. Contact lens use will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Toiletry items for personal hygiene and menstrual health are widely available through the country. Certain products may only be available in Bishkek.

Additional guidance: Medical Care During Service

Additional guidance for Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic:

Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic provides a supplementary medical kit with antibiotics and additional medications that are not provided in the standard Peace Corps medical kit. These medications may be used after authorization from Peace Corps medical officers.

Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic provides Volunteers with a basic smartphone and a power bank. We recommend that Volunteers bring laptops or tablets to assist with work and access to online reference and learning resources (e.g., Learning Space).

Electricity voltage in Kyrgyz Republic is 220 V. Most of the portable electronics purchased in the United States (e.g., laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartphones) have a power supply with input voltage ranging from 110 V (American) to 220 V (Europe); however, to use them in Kyrgyzstan you will need a Euro plug adapter, which is available at local stores for about $1 USD.

Before bringing any electronic device, please check on whether it works on 220 V, otherwise you will need a power voltage converter for it.

There is electricity available in all communities, but there may be outages with duration from a few minutes to one or two days due to maintenance or scheduled restrictions.

Based on your interests and personal preferences there may be additional items you will want to consider bringing with you for your favorite outdoor activities or hobbies.

Teachers may consider bringing some favorite language learning resources. For example, some Volunteers bring card games or board games specific to American culture that can be used for teaching English.

Small items from your hometown or state make nice presents for host family or school community members, such as stickers, pins, or candy. You will have two host families, one during pre-service training, and one at your permanent site, so please consider this when bringing gifts.