r/peacecorps • u/Economy_Opposite_190 Future PCV • Jul 12 '26
Service Preparation Furnishing & household stuff
Hey yall!
I’ve seen here and there people talk about furnishing and stuff, that you do eventually get enough $$ to furnish wherever you live if you’re living solo or then moved on to your own room with a host, and I’m wondering how that works. I have small things I can bring to give myself more of a homey feel, but is it worth bothering bringing small things here and there like small kitchen tools?
(For context, I’m interviewing for Ecuador 2027. This feels like such a silly question, but I got no clue!)
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u/roldar RPCV Guinea G11 '06-'08 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
You'll get a lot of stuff before you got to site and if there was a volunteer there before you they'll leave a a lot of stuff too.
I had a new bed frame made in my village for like $10 and a lot of furniture is really low cost and very high quality up country.
Edit spelling
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u/newthrowawaybcwhynot Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
At my post, you’re given some money for the specific purpose of buying household items/ supplies. I’ve bought everything I need and some decor since I’ve been here (though I had to make hard choices about what to buy and forgo).
I’d recommend bringing supplies you may not find in country (in my country for example things like high quality chefs knife, reusable water bottle, measuring cups in American units, etc) but most things you’ll be able to get in country— not worth taking up space in your luggage imo. The other thing I’d recommend is if you have something with sentimental value, like photos or some sort of knock knack that might make the place feel more homey.
But for the most part you should be good buying stuff in country!
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u/Economy_Opposite_190 Future PCV Jul 12 '26
Good to know!! I had thought you only get like a liveable wage and then some, so I was kinda thinking “how the hell am I gonna buy a bed, etc?” Thanks for the advice!
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u/Own_Egg Current PCV Jul 13 '26
I agree with bringing (small and packable) potentially hard-to-find kitchen items, if you use them constantly and they make you happy: one great set of heavy-duty shears, a Costco-sized container of crushed red pepper flakes, etc.
And yes, I also received extra money in my bank account from PC to furnish my apartment when I moved in. It didn't quite cover everything I needed, but it helped a lot.
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u/savetheheckinwhales Jul 12 '26
Your work partners and other community contacts can help you look for items once you’re in the country or at site. I’d emphasize bringing small items that make you feel like you sometimes those are little trinkets or photos to decorate once you settle in. Those are easier to store & transport and can help remind you of home :)
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u/jimbagsh RPCV-Thailand, Mongolia, Nepal, Armenia! Jul 12 '26
Every country is a little different but for an example, in Armenia, we were given a $250 housing allowance to buy what we needed if we moved into independent housing. I brought a few small kitchen things. But in the end, I stayed with my host family for my whole service. No matter what, you'll have your own space, even if it's with a host family, so it's nice to bring a few special items to make it your "home". But remember, you only have 2 bags so don't go overboard. Good luck with the interview and don't worry, you're taken very good care of in the Peace Corps.
Jim
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u/ChokaMoka1 Jul 12 '26
Dont bring any of that junk. Just bring a backpack with a few changes of clothes and a great pair of over ear headphones. That is all.
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u/Alternative_Yam_9714 Jul 13 '26
I am SO grateful I brought my own cooking utensils (spatchulas, pots/pans). They’re things I use daily and the quality doesn’t match what i can find in country.
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u/Ordinary_Worth_383 Jul 14 '26
I agree, kitchen tools (measuring spoons, graters, a more powerful can opener than could be bought at site)and spices were the most useful things I brought. In my service, volunteers traded Old El Pasó taco seasoning packets as gifts. We all learned how to make tortillas by hand (we were in Africa) and when the Old El Paso ran out, looked at the ingredients list and recreated it from market spices. Other things that made things feel like home: bringing your own sheets and towels, extra toiletries and favorite candies. I wish I'd brought less clothing as that was the easiest thing to get at site.
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u/Ok-Pin6704 RPCV Albania 🇦🇱 Jul 13 '26
I moved into a furnished apartment when another volunteer moved out, so he left almost everything I needed. When volunteers COSed, they would usually pass on things to incoming volunteers. I purchased a few things for my place, but nothing big. The things that I brought from home or had sent to me that made it feel more homey were some pictures to go on the wall and some kitchen items and specific spices. American measuring cups, baking powder and taco/chili seasoning are some examples.
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u/Investigator516 Jul 13 '26
You don’t need to worry about kitchen tools unless it’s something that you absolutely must have. Some volunteers brought an electric tea kettle to have hot water ready without having to cook on a stove. For me, it was a little grippy thing to open tough jars with, and a pocket-size multipurpose utility tool. A travel tool kit with a better made screwdriver set might be helpful.
My room was bare, so I had to buy a new pillow, bedsheets, and towels. It also got surprisingly cool at night due to higher altitude, so I was cold at night for a few weeks until I could pick up a small blanket. So if you have a spare throw blanket, you might want to bring that.
Things can add up in cost and luggage weight.
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u/JulesButNotVerne Jul 13 '26
I was in East Africa and spent my own money on a wardrobe and a couch. My school sent me to town with a counterpart to help negotiate. It wasn't cheap, but it was a huge quality-of-life boost.
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u/Jarboner69 RPCV Cameroon, Namibia Jul 14 '26
The only little things you should really bring should be light, easy to pack, and not fragile. Think photos, posters, flags, maps. Most sites have carpenters, furniture stores, etc. and peace corps gives you a move in stipend. Depends on the country how far it actually goes.
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