FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE VISA IS ACCEPTED!!
WORTH THE READ!
There are so many things one needs to carry, as this is the first time you are going
abroad. If you have a friend who is going to the same university, for the same semester,
it is better to share few things. This saves space as well as money. In this section, we
have listed the most common things that your seniors have carried and suggest you to
do. We not only tell you what to carry?, but also how much to carry vis-..-vis the
quantity of each item. Many commodities like clothes, foot ware, leather items, and
other miscellaneous things are expensive in US. Therefore it is a must that you go
through the entire section and make a note of these things in the form of printout
before you begin shopping to ensure that you don..t miss something. Get started with
clothes....
Clothes:
.. Jeans: 4 to 6 pairs
.. Shorts: 6-8. Get those ones, which are, long and go a 2-3 inches beyond knees.
.. T-shirts: 6-8
.. Cotton shirts: 4-5(no multicolored patterns, they are not in vogue in US). Cotton
clothes are good in warmer places.
.. Night clothes: 2-3 pairs
.. Formal suit & Ties - 1-2 pairs. You rarely need them...once in a year or so on occasions
like Convocation ceremony and interviews.
.. Undergarments...a lot of them...10-15 pairs we stress upon this because you may go
to the laundry once in two weeks!!
.. Socks...4-5 pairs you can bring even more because you would be wearing shoes
most of the time. Do not take nylon socks. Cotton ones are better.
.. Sweaters. a couple - full sleeved advisable
.. Get a muffler and monkey cap and woolen gloves and windcheater.
.. Leather jacket...1 they are rather poor protection in the north. But you may consider
getting one woolen Jacket.
.. Handkerchiefs-1 dozen
.. 2-3 belts one formal leather belt and others as you please. But you might want to
know that one rarely tucks in the casual dresses.
.. Kurta-payjamas-These would be good during Cultural meets etc. If you have fancy
for one, don't forget extra naadi then.
.. 2 Turkish towels and two napkins.
.. 2 thin single bed sheets.
.. One air pillow
Summarizing your clothes list:
1. Sunglasses 2 no.
2. Cap 2 no.
3. Umbrella 1 no.
4. Wind sheeter 1 no.
5. Under garments 18 no.
6. Shirts 4 formal + 4 half sleeves
7. T-shirts 12 no.
8. Bermudas 6 no.
9. Trousers 4 no. (formal)
10. Jeans 6 no.
11. Handkerchief 18 no.
12. Socks 15 no.
13. Belts 3 no.(one for jeans and 2 formal)
14. Sweater 2 full + 2 half sleeve
15. Leather jacket 1 no.
16. Wallet with more pockets for credit cards 1 no.
17. Thermal wears 2 no.
18. Ties 2 no.
19. Blazer / Suit - Blazer + matching trouser
20. Kurta Pyjama 1 white
21. Chudidar 1 no.
22. Chudidar jacket 1 no.
23. Night dress 2 no.
24. Gloves 2 pair
FOOTWARE:
Shoes:
.. SPORTS SHOES: 2 pairs Sports shoes are real cheap in US. Moreover in sales of
Christmas etc. So do not spend too much money for these. Get some moderately
priced and good ones so that you need not buy them immediately after coming to US.
.. LEATHER SHOES: Get good and strong leather shoes, shoes that have good grip are
preferred. This is for snowy regions. It..s difficult to walk on snow with shoes of flat sole.
Firm grip helps to keep fit, prevents breaking head, bones.
Chappals:
.. You can buy leather footwear...But we advise Sandals. Get two pairs of them.
.. Slippers -two pairs, you don't get the India type slippers in US.
.. Kolhapuris, they serve good purpose in the summer.
Personal accessories:
.. Hangers for clothes,
.. Wallet - one that has space for cards - you normally don't carry much cash with you.
.. Shaving kit & Blades (get a good stock, they are costly In US). Brush & toothpaste
(these are also expensive in US).
.. Soap (get a couple of bars of bathing soap till you go for the first groceries in US).
.. Combs & hair oil (if you use hair-oil get a years supply of your favorites).
.. Small mirror (just in case even if you are not a narcicist!).
.. Nail cutter.
.. Small scissors, Safety pin bunch. Mini-sewing kit with some buttons.
Summarizing your Personal accessories list:
1. Soap 6 no.
2. Shampoo 3 bottles
3. Towels 2 no.
4. Napkin 6 no.
5. Body spray 3 no.
6. Perfume 2 no.
7. After shave 1 no.
8. Tooth paste 6 no.
9. Tooth brush 6 no.
10. Shaving tube 2 no.
11. Mach 3 razor 2 no.
12. Blades 20 no. (mach3)
13. Blanket 1 no.
14. Duster 4 no. (for cleaning)
15. Scrub 2 no.
16. Sponge 2 no.
17. Bedsheets 2 thick + 2 thin
18. Pillow 1 no.
19. Comb 2 no.
20. Nail cutter 2 no.
21. Rubber band 1 packet
22. Scissors 1 pair
23. Calculator 1 no.
24. Pass port and stamp size snaps 36 each,
25. Photos of your family
26. CDs of songs
27. Medicines + first aid kit
28. Digital diary
29. Books
30. Back pack
31. Key Chains
32. Torch Alarm clock.
33. Camera & Camera roll 6 nos
34. Mirror
35. Soap box
Utensils:
Depends on whether you guys plan to cook alone or with your housemates, since most
people don't get time to cook daily, stuff is generally prepared for two days at a go - so
keep this in mind when you buy vessels, etc.
Typical stuff you may want is:
.. 2-3 plates,
.. Glasses
.. Cups and bowls
.. Forks (2 each)
.. Serving spoons
.. Couple of cooking vessels
.. Pressure cooker - 3 liters
.. Cooker containers and spares (rings and valves)
.. Non-stick frying pan with turner
.. Tongs and knives
.. Cutting board for vegetables
.. 2-3 patella..s that fit into each other and that preferably have handles
.. 1 pressure pan (Prestige), ask your prospective roommate to get one too
.. Utensils holder
.. Plates (2-3 steel plates, beaker size and 2-3 plastic plates of both beaker and normal
size)
.. 2-3 plastic bowls (katories)
.. 6 spoons and a couple of steel glasses
.. Serrated knife.
Summarizing your Utensils list:
1. Cooker 1 no. + spares
2. Cookers Containers 2 no.(with their lids)
3. Kadai 1 no.
4. Non stick tawa 1 no.
5. Spoons 6 no.
6. Grip 1 no.
7. Chapati fork/tong 1 no.
8. Laddle for poori 1 no.
9. Spatula types used while making roti) 1 no.
10. Knife 2 no.
11. Peeler 1 no.
12. Serving spoons (for dal, curry and rice) 3 no.
13. Knife& Fork 6 no.
14. Sauce pan 2 no.
15. Steel containers to heat food 2 no. (with lid)
16. Rolling Pin/ Belan (to make rotis) 1 no.
17. Plate 1 no.
18. Katori 3 no.
19. Glass 2 no.
20. Cutting board 1 no.
21. Eating knives 2 no.
22. Coffee spoon for salt etc 3 no.
23. Small size plastic spoons for masala 1 no
Food Items:
Some of the common food items that students carry are:
.. Spices, Tealeaves, Masalas, Haldi, Dhania, red chilly, Instant masalas, etc.
.. Mustard packet.
.. Tamarind paste
.. Different dals in small quantity for initial use.
.. Asafoetida powder.
.. Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (it takes time to get used to the American stuff)
.. Elaichi, clove, cinnamon
.. Masalas and tea/coffee powder, if you are a regular drinker (until somebody shifts to
beer.)
.. Get a couple of bags each of haldi, red chilly powder, Garam masala, Dhania,
Pickle bottles (if you have enthu, but preferably get sealed ones), rice, Moong Dal. Bring
approx. 1-month supply of masalas.
Most Indian foodstuffs are available even in small cities. Don't come loaded with
foodstuffs as you may have problem with customs. Try to get "instant" stuff, as people
don't have much time for cooking in the US.
Summarizing your Masala list:
1. Dhania& jirra .. kg
2. Chilli powder .. kg
3. Haldi .. kg
4. Full jira 200 gm
5. Mustard Seed 200 gm
6. Garam Masala home made 200 gm
7. Pav bhaji masala 2 packets
8. Salt 500 gm
9. Sugar .. kg.
10. Hing powder one bottle
Papad
Music:
Get all the cassettes recorded which you might like to take with you. Though you get
most of them in US, why spend money for luxurious things. If you are leaving your
beloved, don..t forget to take those kishore Kumar blues.
Stationary list:
1. White sheets 50 no.
2. Pencils 12 no.
3. Erasers 4 no.
4. Blade 2 no.
5. Stapler 1 no.
6. Stapler pins 1 packet
7. Pens 12 blue + 12 black (ball pens)
8. Scribbling Pad 2 no.
9. Glue stick 1 no.
10. Pencil Box 2 no.
11. Ruler - 12" 1 no.
12. Stick on pad 2 no.
13. Cello tape 1 no.
14. Ink pen 1 no.
15. Needle 1 packet
16. Thread Black 1,White 1 reel , Blue 1 reel
17. Safety pins 1 dozen
Medicines:
LIST OF MEDICINES RECCOMMENDED BY A DOCTOR
Crocin tablets (paracetamol 500 mg)- 3 strips
For fever, body ache, and headache.
One tablet three times a day as necessary.
Above 60 kg please use 650 mg tablets (thermol/dolo).
For fevers, mild pain relief Actifed tablets .. 2 strips (side effect drowsiness)
A costlier but much better alternative is Alerid (cetrizine) or Neoloridin(loridine)less
sedation and next to no side effects
Azithromycin 500 mg tablets (aziwin) - 3 strips. One tablet once a day for atleast 3 days
...use if you have a bacterial cold or Respiratory infection ... (most common symptom
being dark yellow colored mucus, fever, etc.).NOT NEEDED FOR ordinary cold (white
mucus, watery secretions)
Sporidex 500mg capsules - 2 strips. One tablet twice a day when necessary as advised
(please don..t use on your own. This stuff needs a prescription to be used properly ...
meant only for persistent troublesome infections)
Avomine tablets - 1 strip for air/ motion sickness. One tablet as necessary.(causes
drowsiness)
Lomotil/Andial tablets- 15 (for diarrhea) But remember the best treatment for diarrhea is
plenty of fluids, some good rest and bland food.
Omeprazole 20 mg .For gastritis.Can be take once or twice a day
Digene tablets- 20 mg. For stomach discomfort .One each three times a day.
Spasmoproxyvon capsules - 3 strips for abdominal colic pain, backache, menstrual pain
etc. One tablet every 6 hours or as necessary.
Domstal tablets - 10. For vomiting .Has to be taken atleast half an hr before food
Electral powder - 2 packets. One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss of
electrolytes after vomiting & diarrhoea
Novalgin - 2 strips for headache & bodyache. One tablet as necessary.
Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips. For arthirtic joint pain. One tablet three times a
day after food.
Avil Tablets - 1 strip for allergy (use cetrizine/loridin for less sedation), One tablet as
necessary.
Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube to be applied as pain balm.
Band Aid assorted - 12
Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube
Nimesulide tabs. For the severest of headaches and pains. (But banned in the US).
100mg upto 3 times a day
Ciplox capsules 500 mg. 2 strips.1 capsule twice a day. For Infective diarrheas
Vitamin B-complex capsules .Just in case your starving yourself out there
Luggage:
Luggage is the essential thing one has to buy. This has to be done after proper planning
as luggage is an expensive item and is to be retained for years, now that you will be
doing lot of traveling in flight.
Bags:
2 large size suitcases
Packing:
..Start your packing well in advance
..But 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 on both the inside & outside the boxes) apart from
this, the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).
..Boxes with independent top & bottom are preferable.
..Box specification: As an example of Air India economy class baggage specifications
to the USA are given below. Note the specs. may be different for other
countries/airlines.
..2 pieces of baggage with total liner dimension (L+B+H) not exceeding 270cms (106").
Moreover the total linear dimension of each piece should not be over 158cms (62"). The
weight of each bag should not be exceeding 32kg (70lb) [note: Sometimes they are
not particular about this] Carry on baggage: In addition you can carry a bag with
linear dimension not exceeding 115cms (45") on board fits beneath the seat.
Money to be taken with you:
Other than you fee requirements you may have to take $1000-$2000 depending upon
where you are going (you can get this info from your seniors over there). This you can
get from Thomas Cook/American Express and of course any Foreign Exchange bank
like SBI, SBH IOB etc. Do this after you buy your ticket. And remember! Take major part of
the money in DD or TC's. The typical combination is. DD for the entire fee you have to
pay, $1000-$2000 in TCs, and $100 in cash...a combination of notes and coins....
Getting permit for us$750:
This can be got from any bank authorized to do so (need not go to RBI for this). You can
get this within a month of the date of the flight. The following documents have to taken
along to get the permit: Passport + copy, air ticket, I-20 Student Copy + copy, grade
cards + copies, p.c. + copy, xii standard pass/mark sheet + copy, aid & admission letters
+ copies, bank advance/any other form of payment. You may take part of the $750/- in
the currency notes up to $50 is okay (legally up to $100 allowed). Money you may need
to pay after going there: Other than your fee, you may have to pay the security deposit
for the house, rent for the first month, groceries for the first month...basic utilities like
toaster, rice cooker etc.which may come around to $500 approx....
Documentation:
Carry all documentation safely, and have photocopies to back you up - letter from
Univ., mark sheets, etc. (the visa stuff basically). Things to get photocopied: Make three
sets of the following copies, keep one set at home and take the remaining two sets with
you.
..Visa
..Xth, Inter (10+2), Degree marks sheets, Convocation Certificate of Under graduation.
..I-20 and acceptance letter from the university.
..Take all the I-20's with you if you have more than one.
Important things to do before you leave:
..Give power of attorney (authorization letters) to your father or brother or to someone
on whom you rely
..Put your signature on a 10 plane papers, write you name below it, keep these at
home, they may need it for any purpose like authorization to collect marks sheets,
Provisional certificate, Transfer certificate, Bonafide certificate, Degree certificate,
Migration certificate from the university, applying for the refund from the college etc.
..Make all bank accounts joint
Things to be left at home:
..List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained.
..One copy of all your important documents.
..A copy of all relevant parts of medical history files.
..Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel.
..Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable)
..Your tailoring measurements.
A Review & Miscellaneous:
..Get a driving license and a IDP (international Driving Permit)
..Get at least $750 if you get paid within one month of arriving and at least $1500 if you
get paid after a month and a half of arrival. If you have a very good friend well settled
at the place where you are going to, you may take some less cash with you as you can
borrow from him and repay later. You'll have several deposits to pay for the first month
of stay like gas, telephone, and electricity. You'll have to pay a months rent as deposit
and a months rent advance (around $250 per person/month).
..Get your application material if you wish to reactivate your applications at a better
place for the next quarter/year.
..Get a set of transcripts in case you apply all over again for a PhD.
..B.Tech. Degree certificate (laminate it in thin plastic is possible).
..Get 2-3 passport size photographs.
..Get an address/phone number diary.
..Have a set of copies of visa, passport, I-20 in each piece of luggage.
..Depending upon the weather in your area get a folding umbrella.
..Carry Rs.300 - Rs.500/- for airport tax and Rs.600/- for the $20 you'll get inside the
airport.
..If you are having a camera then get it endorsed on your passport.
..Have a RBI permit ready for the dollars you are carrying with you.
..Take all your Hindi songs cassettes.
..Get a good leather purse that has several sections of "visiting cards" size, you'll need
those for the bunch of credit cards/key cards/ID's, etc. you'll accumulate in no time in
US.
..Carry medical prescription for all your medicines you bring.
..If you have glasses, get a through eye-check-up before and get 2 extra pairs of
glasses.
..Keep passport, visa, I-20, and other admission documents in the handbag you'll carry
on your shoulders all the time.
..Confirm your ticket a couple of days prior to the flight directly through the airlines you
are flying no matter how reputed your travel agent is.
..Let me repeat this, get a driver's license and an IDP.
..Get lots of Indian stamps and inland letters and postcards. You'll need them to write
letters, which you can send with anyone who is going to India.
..Hindi film songs cassettes.
IN THE LAST WEEK:
..Call up and find if there is any change of the schedule of the plane (inform the
people coming to pick you up of any such change).
..Get ready to face the long journey.
..Bid adieu to all concerned.
..Find out the name of the person who is coming to pick you up at the airport. Remind
those people of the flight timings, airline no, your name. inform all these to your people
at home.
..Relax the day before journey, and check all the documents you are taking with you
once again.
..Arrange for the conveyance if you don..t have a car. You can book with any private
transport facility like City cabs.
ON THE DAY OF THE FLIGHT AND ON .. BOARD:
..Since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (cotton dress + full
hand shirt). Wear your shoes - in flight you can remove them (some airlines give in flight
shoes - else relax in socks).
..Check all the documents once again and keep them at appropriate places.
..Be at the airport 3-4 hours before the departure.
..Collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1).
..Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible.
..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/juices are good choices. (Before
ordering anything on board check if, you have to pay for it separately). Don't hesitate
to ask questions.
..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.
ONCE OFF THE PLANE:
You are now in the USA! 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-64
card to your visa.
..Then go to the baggage counter 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) we suggest you tie your baggage
with rope of a bright color that is visible from a distance. All this is to make your
baggage appear distinct. If you don't get your baggage, inform the inquiry section -
you may have to wait 0.5 - 1 hour here.
..Cart your baggage to the 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 your baggage do
so slowly - do not mess up the place. If asked about the "masala powder (podi"'s) tell
them that they are "dried Indian spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry. Rarely
they might ask you to go the agris dept nearby - its a pain. If asked about "vibhuti" tell
them that it is a holy Hindu powder.
Note: In most cases, you will not be asked to open your boxes at all & you will be simply
waved through.
..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 public phone
dial a "0", get the operator & ask for a collect call) else call
oYour Prof
oDepartment
oInternational Students' Office
oAdmissions Office
oAny Indian guy in the directory
Go and ask for an announcement to be made over the PA system. Get a card, write
your name & hold it up.
..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). Make
sure you are pleasing while you identify his identity. Lest you offend the person who has
come to help you.
..Once you reach your friend's house (or your intended destination) call home & inform
them of your reaching safely. If you get your hand on Internet, do type few words of
your experience and email it.
FIRST FEW THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO IN AMERICA:
There are certain primary things to be done on reaching US. They are discussed in this
section
..our first task is to meet the foreign students or the advisors in the International students'
office (ISO) or Grad Advisor or administrative secretary. Keep a record of your details
(passport, visa details etc). When you leave the US (temporarily or permanently), you
have to go there again.
..Meet your prof if you have got an RA or a TA.
..Open a bank account immediately. Ask seniors for a good bank.
..Find an apartment and/or roommates.
..Complete all the official procedures at the school like
oAttending the orientation
oGetting your student ID
oGetting your Social Security Number.
oPaying the Fee
oRegistering for the classes etc..
Author : Sampath ram kumar Putta.
Make sure you follow the blog. !! any kind of suggestions, requests for new posts , are always welcome and are greatly appreciated !! . Feel free to share,Like,comment on this post. Helping hands are far better than praying Lips ! i wish you all Success. Do check out my other blogs !! i created one for IELTS to help people across the world reach their desired scores :
Http://ieltsisveryeasy.blogspot.com . and i am really happy that 10 people scored above 7 bands overall(check the Score board on the facebook IELTS Discussion group :
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ieltsforall !! and for USVISAS :
http://allaboutusvisas.blogspot.com where in i have shared my Own VISA experience ( MUST Read ) and all other stuff related to VISA's and its processing. i hope you will really like it and its as easy as that ..! and there are many other posts related to Visa's ( like transfer of sevis, Step by step instructions for Booking VISA Slot, paying Sevis Fee, Filling Ds-160 form and Lot more !! ) .
Stay Tuned !
Have a Great day !
