WAIP ~updated~ Packing List

As I packed for WAIP, I continually downsized by belongings. At orientation, we were slightly scared into thinking we would have 6 inches of space to our names. Come to find, we actually did have a lot more storage space then we thought we would have. This is not to say you should pack your whole wardrobe and 4 different sweatshirts but it does mean you have a little more room than what you may originally believe. When reading this post, keep in mind I participated in WAIP in the summer which made my wardrobe slightly easier to pack than the other two semesters because I did not have to take into consideration the cooler temperatures.


Here's a look into my packing list and what I wish I would have brought:

Clothes 

• 1 full suit - This was enough for me because I did not work in a business professional environment but used the suit for meeting the Senators and different study tours 
• 1 - black blazer - 10/10 would recommend 
• I brought 4 plain colored t-shirts from H&M and wore them both to work and on Saturday afternoons 
• Unless your office is business professional, it can be easy to bring items that can be worn causally or in a business setting depending on what you pair the item with and how you accessorize.

• 2 casual shirts 
• 3 professional shirts 
• 3 professional tank tops - Thanks Michelle Obama 
• 3 casual tank tops - These were great for the summer heat! 
• 2 cardigans - A MUST - I left one at work all the time because the AC is set to the comfort of men in suits 
• 4 outfits to work out in 
• 3 skirts - I brought one professional skirt, one I could wear to work and casually, and one jean skirt for only casual wear. This worked perfectly for me. 
• 4 dresses - 1 professional and 3 that I could wear to work or the farmers market. I loved having dresses in the summer heat!
• 1 pair of jeans - bring a pair of jeans you can dress up or wear casually
• 4 pairs of pants for work - For me this was the perfect amount because I brought neutral colors that could be paired with any shirt. DO - pack one pair of fun patterned pants!
• 3 pairs of shorts - I did go out and buy 2 more pairs of shorts while here, I wish I had packed more 
• 2 pj outfits 
• 1 sweatshirt
  
• What I wish I'd brought for clothes
• 2 or 3 outfits I could wear for dressy up, casual nights out exploring D.C. 
• American themed colors/clothes for July 4th 
• 2 or 3 more casual shirts 
• rain jacket / light jacket 

Shoes 

I was able to wear "professional sandals" for my internship, whatever that means. My understanding of this turned into, I could wear sandals as long as they were not flip flops/slide ons or old/falling apart. I was really happy with my shoe packing and would not have brought anymore. 

• 1 - black heels 
• 1 - neutral heels 
• 1 - brown sandals, I wore to work and casual 
• 1 - black sandals, I wore to work and casual 
• 2 - heeled sandal 
• 1 - running shoes 
• 1 - casual tennis shoe
• 1- "mom sandal", "chaco sandal" - Whatever you want to call them, I am so glad I brought a pair of these. I would say about half of us did and wore them all the time. They were great for walking to work in! 

Others 

• 3 watches - I wore everyday 
• 2 statement necklaces - Easy way to dress up a plain shirt 
• 1 baseball hat 
• 1 tote bag 
• 1 small cross body bag 
• 2 reusable grocery bags 
• Umbrella - DON'T FORGET THIS 
• School supplies - remember you are in class here, I bought a folder, notebook, laptop, and pens 
• Dry stock food 
• Cheez-its - bought the bulk snack packs for Sam's Club and it was the best thing I ever did
• Clif Bars - great to through in a bag for a snack 
• canned food 
• rice and pasta
• tea 
• plastic baggies
• Lunch box - necessary 
• My favorite coffee cup 
• Blender 
• Ice cream scoop - My roommate brought this and God bless her
• Can opener - WISH provided one but it was not that great. Again my roommate brought this and so thankful she did. 
• Fun book to read - Big Little Lies - 10/10 would recommend this read
• headphones 
• Journal - bring one of these! Even if you just bullet point your day, you're going to want to remember this experience.
•  Planner 
• reusable water bottle - Hi, you need this. 
• What I wish I'd brought:
• bowls - not enough provided by WISH 
• a little wallet - I went out and bought one the first week and it saved my life this summer. 
• a business card booklet to collect other people's in - This would have just helped me be more organized
• more pens, I lost all of them everywhere.
• Key chain, some people had them and others did not

Maggie