ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO USA

Tasks to do before leaving

Let the international student advisor / ISA know about your travel plans and expected arrival date. Give your family members who are staying behind your contact information in the United States. Attend the US Information Service's pre-departure orientation session. It will provide a lot of helpful information. Find out about any tax filing requirements before you leave. If your parents or guardian will not be handling your financial affairs in your absence, arrange for an appropriate 'power of attorney' for the person who will be taking care of your affairs. Visit your doctor and dentist before you leave. Tell your doctor about your trip, so he or she can give you any required inoculations. Also arrange for an eye examination, so you can carry an up-to-date prescription in case you need to replace your glasses or contact lenses. Don't forget to reconfirm your reservations 72 hours before departure, and to arrive at the airport early. Make two photocopies of any important document. Leave one copy at home, and take one copy with you, but keep it separate from the originals. It might be worthwhile to bring several spare sets of passport photographs in case you need to get a new passport or visa. Label your luggage inside and out with your name and your university's name and address. If your luggage is lost in transit, this will help the airline return it to you. Needless to say, critical documents, medicines, and other supplies should be carried in your carry-on luggage. Your carry-on bag should also include one change of clothing.

Housing One of the most important things you will have to take care of before you start your studies in the United States is finding a place to live. This is an important decision since it will be one of your biggest expenses and will affect your personal and academic adjustment. Explore university/school's website for housing. Get in touch with the international student advisors or student organizations of that school. Most of the information is given on the school's website. There are different types of accommodations: Temporary Accommodations: At some schools, university residences may be available, or you may be able to stay with a local family or current student. It is always best to check with the international student adviser in advance for information on overnight housing options. Campus Housing: Almost all U.S. colleges and universities provide their students with the option to live in residence halls or dormitories (also called "dorms"). These are usually for single students, not for married couples or families, and are situated on or close to the campus. There is various type of housing about which you can get in touch with the current students who are studying in that school. Off-Campus Housing: Making arrangements for housing off-campus can be quite challenging. For example, if you do not have a car, location is important. If an apartment is farther than walking distance from the campus, it may prove to be inconvenient unless it is close to public transportation. Gas, electricity, and telephone services, known as "utilities," usually are not included in the rent and must be paid by you, the tenant, each month. Sharing an apartment with a roommate can keep costs down (work good for those who are not married or are not with the family). If you do not know anyone to room with, it is appropriate to ask another student who is also looking for a roommate to consider sharing an apartment with you. Often students advertise for roommates.

Arrival in the US You should always inform your international student adviser of your expected date and time of arrival. Also provide them with the details, such as the airport at which you will arrive (or train station or bus terminal), your flight number, name of airline, and last point of departure. Sometimes the international student adviser, a representative from the university, or a member of the community can come to meet you. However, with many international students arriving at the same time, this might not be possible. You should avoid arriving at your school during the evening, on a Saturday or Sunday, or during a U.S. national holiday, since college or university offices are usually closed at those times. The recommended time of arrival will vary from one school to another, but generally you should arrive several days before the campus orientation for new international students and registration for classes. This will give you an opportunity to settle in and to rest from your trip before participating in required new student activities. It will also provide time for you to become familiar with the campus and the community and to make friends before classes begin. University residence halls usually do not open until a few days before registration. Students who arrive early with reservations to live in a residence hall may not be able to move into their assigned room if campus housing facilities have not yet officially opened for the semester or academic term. The International Students Office or campus Housing Office may be able, however, to make other arrangements for temporary dormitory lodging on a daily basis. In your correspondence with the international student adviser, ask about other temporary housing opportunities, such as staying with a family in the community until you can move into your permanent housing. If it is possible, this can be an excellent introduction to life in the United States.

Documents, Clothes, Miscellaneous items

Valid Passport nonimmigrant visa placed inside your passport by a consular officer of a U.S. Embassy Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 A-B, I-20 M-N, or DS-2019form). Arrival-Departure Record (I-94 form), which will be issued to you, usually on the airplane before landing, filled out by you and reviewed and stamped by the immigration officer at your point of entry into the United States Enough money with you to cover your first month's expenses until you are able to transfer funds from abroad. This will be at least US $1,500, but probably more (look at your budget to be sure). Emergency Money (keep US$100 hidden somewhere on your person in the event of an emergency) Clothing, including shoes, coats, cold weather clothing, and rain gear and enough extra under-garments. Official academic transcripts and English translations Medical and dental records, including immunization and vaccination records and prescriptions, eyeglasses, insurance records Marriage certificate and birth certificates Passport and plane tickets, Form I-20 International driver's licenses. Map of United States and the detailed map of the city where you are going. (Most of the city maps are available online these days. You can take a print out and carry it with you. After reaching United States, you can buy a proper map) A list of the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of key contacts, both in the US and at home, including the contact information for friends and family who live in the US Books, including a dictionary and phrase book Academic documents, such as the school's course catalog and other material you received from the school It may sound a little silly to mention here but you will find them very useful: pen and pad of paper, safety pins, paper clips, sewing kit, extra buttons, nylon cord, first aid kit, alarm clock or watch, scientific calculator, flashlight, spare batteries, plastic bags, and duct tape. Also a small lock for your luggage.

Packing Tips and arranging the bags/suitcases Gather all your items and stuff that you are taking with you in one place. Once you finish shopping and to do list then begin your packing. Check with the airline or your travel agent for detailed information on baggage regulations (weight and size). Airlines have strict rules on the amount and size of both carry-on and checked luggage. Also there are restrictions on the items that you carry. Make a note of things you packed.

Try to use suitcases with wheels. Try to carry minimal hand luggage. Always carry valuable jewelry and medicines with you (in your hand luggage) & not in your checked in baggage. Try to carry only as much luggage as you can manage yourself as porters may not be always available. Make sure that your hand luggage does not exceed the dimensions allowed by the airlines. If it does, it may have to be put in the cargo hold & any fragile items you have may break. Buy suitcases with dimensions (length, width, height) not exceeding 273 cms (107 inches). The linear dimension of each piece should not exceed 158cms(62 inches). Permissible dimensions of hand baggage for all classes are 55x40x20 cms. Weight allowed is 70 lbs per suitcase and maximum 2 bags are allowed per person besides hand bags. Refer to your airline tickets about the baggage rules and regulations. Always remove old baggage-claim tags and make sure each piece of luggage is clearly marked with your name, address, and phone number (including your work address and phone number is also a good idea).

Carry-on Luggage / Hand- baggage : This is what you can carry with you in the plane. Keep it small and handy, so that you can keep it in the overhead luggage space in the cabin. Trolley bags are always advisable. Many airlines allow one cabin bag, but ladies can carry their purse or handbag along with their cabin bag. Total linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each cabin baggage must not exceed 112cms (45 inches), and weight must not exceed 14 to 20kgs (30-40 pounds). Again, check with the airlines by which you are traveling. The rules may differ. What to keep in Hand /carry-on baggage:

Emergency Money (keep US$100 hidden somewhere on your person in the event of an emergency) Keep your passport, flight tickets, itinerary and visa in another folder, which you will need during travel. Make copies of all these docs and keep it in the checked-in baggage or in another carry-on baggage.

Your Education certificates, Current Job docs, new employer docs, Job offer docs, Health Insurance, Bank statements and other necessary docs. A list of the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of key contacts, both in the US and at home, including the contact information for friends and family who live in the US A pair of change clothes, toilet kit and delicates in your carry-on suitcase. Any jewelry or medicines carry with you! One segment of the journey lasts from 7-10 hours. If you get pain of any sort, you should have medicines which are accessible to you at all time. You see your checked-in luggage only when you reach US. Camera, in case you want to take pictures of capturing the moments of your travel to USA! Some snacks or food to fill breaks. Pack light and you will be glad you did!

Check-in luggage:

These are the big luggage items that you will have to hand over at the airlines check in counter. Most of the airlines allow 2 big baggages as the check in luggage. Total linear dimensions (length+height+width) of each checked in baggage must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches), and weight of each bag must not exceed 32-35 kgs (70-77 pounds). Check in bag of total linear dimensions (45 inches) and weight 14 to 20kgs (30-40 pounds) is allowed for children not entitled for a separate seat. Plus you can carry a pram (stroller) or infant seat. Confirm with the airlines again about the luggage specifications, it may differ from airline to airline. Remember that luggage is handled quite roughly and some luggage could get damaged or open. If your luggage is not very strong tie it properly with a rope.

How to pack the big suitcases?

Pack tight so that the items in bag will not move, therefore preventing breakage. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle. Use wheeled luggage for easy pull. This way even if your luggage is a little heavy you will be able to drag it easily. Wrap toiletries (etc.) in plastic in the event that items may break or leak. Roll pajamas, nightgowns, sweaters, and other casual wear to fill small spaces, when possible. Avoid fragile items like glass jars, bottles and other. They could break very easily. It is good to pack food items separate from clothes. For food that has oil, got to be really careful and seal properly to avoid leakage. Lock your luggage to avoid accidental opening due to rough handling or cabin pressure, and carry the keys in your hand luggage. It may look odd but it is good to tie the suitcases with nylon rope. Identify your luggage both inside and outside with your name, address and telephone number, and make sure the outside tag is securely fastened to your luggage. Include a copy of your itinerary in your luggage with your home address and your destination in the event you and your bags get temporarily separated.

Pack your baggage in a manner that will make inspection easy in case you are asked to open your baggage in customs. Important documents and paper work

Keep all your documents,visa,passport and other immigration related documents in your carry bag All the tickets relevant to your trip to USA. Vaccination certificate, Insurance certificate Foreign Currency or Traveler's cheque (carry "Quarters",1$ notes, 5$ notes) Emergency money Receipt for travelers' cheques Credit Cards (Visa, Euro card/MasterCard, American Express etc) International Driving license (if you plan to drive in the US) Alarm Clock, ID-card Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses) Map of United States and the detailed map of the city where you are going. (Most of the city maps are available online these days. You can take a print out and carry it with you. After reaching United States, you can buy a proper map)

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