What stuff should I bring along? ... and other useful information!
Things to be done in advance
Certain things have to be done in advance, i.e., as soon as you get your I-20 - much before the flight.
o Learn typing
o Learn driving
o Learn to cook
o apply for bank loan (if necessary)
o make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20.
o make outstation purchases (sweater, thermal underwear, cassettes, etc. - available/cheap in Delhi, Bombay ...)
o get medical checkup done
a) dental
b) fresh checkup, especially if you have a major ailment, get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments (the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name).
c) get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription. Buy atleast one extra pair of glasses.
d) get tested for TB if possible (chest X-ray)
e) get requisite immunization done (especially MMR)
o get cassettes recorded which you may like to take with you
o write to the ISO giving your flight #, time & date of arrival; they may pick you up & give temporary accomodation if necessary (fill out the form)
o note your/parent's bank A/c # [ very important :-) ]
Packing
o Start your packing well in advance
o Buy two good boxes - they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling. They should be as large as possible within the size limitations (however most airlines are not very strict about baggage size). Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the boxes (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels). Boxes with independent top & bottom are preferable.
o Box specifications
As an example the Air India economy class baggage specifications to the USA are given below (these may not be the same now ... contact your airline/agent for the most current specifications). Note the specs. may be different for other countries/airlines.
2 pieces of baggage with total linear dimension (l+b+h) not exceeding 270cm (106"). Moreover the total linear dimension of each piece should not be over 158cm (62"). The weight of each bag should not exceed 32kg (70lb) [note: they are not particular about this]
Carry on baggage : In addition you can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115cm (45") onboard (fits beneath the seat).
For most other airlines the baggage specs are similar (again, please confirm: contact your airline/agent)
If you are taking a break outside USA/Canada contact your travel agent or airlines for details.
Clothes
Usually clothes are machine washed once a week (laundramat) - hence one week supply of clothes (+ one week backup) is needed. Get all clothes little loose - clothes may shrink in machine wash & you will probably grow fatter [:-) ... always a possibility].
o 14-15 sets of undergarments, socks, handkerchiefs
o 5 sets of good shirts, pants
o swimming trunks, shorts, t-shirts
o couple of ties + 1-2 belts
o 3-6 towels
o a bedsheet
o lungies/dhotis/pajamas
o thermal wear (2-4)
o 1-2 woollen sweaters
o don't take Indian files (empty) or punching machines - filing system is different in the US (3 holes, A4)
o umbrellas / rain jackets
o good set of leather shoes + sneakers
Food stuff
Below are some Indian food stuffs that may be taken :
o 1 - 2.5 kg packets of "Sambar Podi"
o 1 packet of "Rasam podi"
o 0.5 box of "Masala podi"
o 1 box of "Paruppu podi", "Upma podi", "Vatha-kozhambu podi", "tamarind rice podi"
o pickles
o mustard packet
o tamarind paste
o different dhals in small quantity for initial phase
o asafoetida powder
o Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (takes some time to get used to American stuff)
o Elaichi, clove, cinnamon
Note: most of these items are available in the Indian stores here, however you need to carry them for use in the first few days.
o actually pickles are not allowed - but you can take them in solder-sealed tins. [students are usually not checked for these]
o take all dry food stuff in sealed plastic packets
Don't come loaded with foodstuffs as you may have (small) problems with the customs. Try to get "instant" stuff as people generally don't have much time for cooking in the US.
Vessels
o big pressure pan (with spare handle, 3 safety valves, 2 weights, 1 base plate, 3 gaskets) [note: big pressure cooker may not be needed as rice cooker can be bought in the US]
o idli plates
o dosai turner, charani (server with holes), rice server & other servers
o tongs
o small bowls
o rolling pin
o knife
o kadaie (optional)
o good cook book
Note: no other vessels needed. No tumblers needed. Try to share & bring the vessels with others coming to the University. Non-stick kitchenware is cheap in the US. and you can buy a full set.
List of medicines recommended by a Doc.
o Crocin tablets - 3 strips For fever, bodyaches, headache, One tablet three times a day as necessary
o Erythrocin 500mg tablets - 2 strips,One tablet twice a day when necessary, as advised
o Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips, One capsule twice a day when necessary, as advised
o Actified tablets - 3 strips
o Cosovil tablets - 2 strips, For common cold & cough, One tablet three times a day.
o Avomin tablets - 1 strip,For air sickness, One tablet as necessary.
o Lomotil tablets - 20
o Digene tablets - 30 For diarrhoea & stomach discomfort, One tablet of each three times a day.
o Baralgam tablets - 2 strips
For abdominal colic pain, backache, etc One tablet every six hours as necessary.
o Dorstal (?) tablets - 10, For nausea & vomiting, One tablet three times a day.
o Electral powder - 2 packets
One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss of electrolytes after, vomiting or diarrhoea.
o Novalgin tablets - 2 strips, For headache & bodyaches, One tablet as necessary.
o Stomatil tablets - 1 strip, For vertigo (giddiness)
One tablet three times a day as necessary till relieved.
o Isogel (Glaxo) - 1 box, For constipation, One teaspoonful in a little of water at bedtime.
o Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips, For arthritic joint pains, One tablet three times a day after food.
o Avil tablets - 1 strip, For allergy,One tablet as necessary.
o Sepmax tablets - 1 strip, For sore-throat, One tablet twice a day after food, till relieved. NOT TO BE TAKEN WHEN ONE IS ALLERGIC TO SULFA DRUGS.
o Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube To be applied as a pain balm.
o Band Aids assorted - 12
o Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube
The above list seems to have been made out for a guy who must be a proper hypochondriac ! :-)
True that medicines are relatively very expensive in the US, but you will also tend to fall ill less frequently (clean drinking water, etc).
Get all the medicines prescribed above if you must, but get them in much smaller quantities.
Things to be kept in the boxes
o Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
o Important apping materials (SOP, reco etc)
o necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's Tables, a good dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion)
o Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
o Indian postal stamps - for sending letters through someone going to India
o Medical history files
o Gifts (suggested: rollable pictures, handicrafts, etc)
o 1 pair leather chappals, 2 hawaii chappals (+ extra straps)
o soap (bath), toothbrushes
o your favorite Cassettes / CDs / DVDs
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
o some medicines (including for air-sickness)
o novel/mags/books for inflight reading
o sweater (it gets VERY cold inside the aeroplane )
o original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
o enough money (little cash, travellers' checks + some quarters - IMP. )
o address book/phone book (Indian & US)
o copies of your photo (passport size)
o enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
o things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced (two sets of clothes, valuables, addresses etc)
Things to be kept on person
o shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
o receipt got along with travellers' checks - in case you lose the TC's
Things to be left at home
o List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained
o one copy of all your important documents
o a copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files
o Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel
o Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable)
o Your tailoring measurements
o a few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
o call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change)
o rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag
o bid bye to all concerned [:-)].
FINAL CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO USA:
o Airline tickets, Passport, I-20 (Travel documents/immigration documents).
o Health care documents/Immunization form and immunization completion certificate.
o General and specific medication/Spectacle and Contact Lenses and spares.
o Clothing and Accessories: Sweaters, Umbrella/raincoat, even a pair of good water-proof boots if you can.
o Formal attire and traditional attire. Atleast 2 weeks supply of daily-wear garments.
o Required pots and pans, a pair of tongs ('pakkad') to lift hot pans, even a masala box if you can.
o Edible items/Spices/Masalas
o Textbooks, plastic files and folders to start you off in school. Other stationery you think will be useful.
o Your list of contact numbers and useful addresses.
o Some loose change in 25 cents (quarters - keep these handy), 10 cents and 5 cents
o Travelers' checks/cash for foreign exchange.
On the day of the flight & in-flight + later
o since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (cotton dress + full hand shirt). Wear your shoes - inflight you can remove them (some airlines give inflight shoes - else relax in socks)
o be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
o collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
o relax during flight, sleep as much as possible
o for vegetarians - watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. Veg. food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. (Before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't hesitate to ask questions.
o once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi
(unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly.
Port of entry procedures
o sometime before landing the flight attendant will distribute customs declaration forms & immigration forms as
mentioned below. Fill these out on the plane (you will submit them to the appropriate authorities when you land). Do not hesitate to take the flight attendant's help.
o You can indicate that you have nothing to declare if the total value of all your things is less than $100 on the customs form.
Form I-94 - fill in the plane. After seeing your documents immigration officer will indicate length of stay, Univ, etc. This will be attached to your passport. Important: note the expiry date and D/S (duration of status).
Form I-20 ID copy - all transactions regarding your non-immigrant status will be recorded in this form. This should be retained at all times (not surrendered when you temporarily leave the US). Your admission number will be given - memorize it & note it elsewhere.
o just before you land the correct local time will be announced set your watch [dual time watch will come in handy here]
o once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter - rush for them to beat the queue. It might take 0.5-1 hour here.
Keep your I-20, passport, admission & aid letters ready. They might ask a few questions like - is this your first time in the US ? Student ? F-1 visa? Which Univ ? They will attach an I-94 card to your visa.
You are now in the USA !
o then go to the baggage are to fetch your luggage. Pick up a cart (you get this at a machine for $1) to carry the bags. Then pick up your bags as they come out on the conveyor (suitable eye-catching labels help here). If you don't get your baggage inform the enquiry section - you may have to wait 0.5-1 hour here.
o cart your baggage to nearby Customs. If asked tell them that you are a student, F-1 visa, school, dept., coming to US for the first time. If asked to open the baggage do so slowly - do not mess up the place.
If asked about the "podi"s tell them that they are "dried India spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry.
Rarely they might ask you to go to the agris. dept. nearby - that is a pain.
If asked about "vibuthi" tell them that it is holy Hindu powder used for prayer.
Note : In most cases you will NOT be asked to open your boxes at all & will be simply waved through.
o now go & wait at the nearest exit for the guys who are supposed to pick you up. If nobody turns up after some time (say 0.5 hour) make a collect call (at the public phone dial a '0', get the operator & ask for a collect call).
Else go & ask for an announcement to be made over the PA system. Get a card, write your name & hold it up.
o Never leave your baggage unattended. Don't go out of the airport until somebody comes & picks you up. If you have doubts about the guy who comes to pick you up, don't hesitate to ask for his ID. [All this is of course being a little extra cautious]
o Once you reach your friend's house (or other destination) call home & inform them of reaching safely. Keep a readymade card - add a few lines - go to the nearest post office, get stamps & mail the card immediately.
A few things of importance after arrival in US
o Your first work is to go to the International Progams and Services (IPS) office. They keep a record of you (passport, visa details etc). When you leave the US (temporarily or permanently) you have to go there again.
Then -
o get your Univ ID card
o get your library card
o open a bank account
o meet the grad. student advisor/advisor
o register for classes
Be happy now that your dream has come true ! :-)
