Tips for students coming to the US

Visa
Travel arrangements
Packing
In the Box
Clothes
Food
Vessels
Medicines
Hand Baggage
With you
At home
Other useful things
Final checklist



Visa
 
For students with full financial aid this is no problem at all.
Even then these tips will make it easier.

        * When you go for the visa dress decently. Avoid any Americanisms.
  Speak slowly and clearly. Don't appear tense and don't look desperate. Self-confidence helps.

        * They should never feel that you will have any sort of difficulty
  language, financial, racial, religious, etc.

        * You should be able to convince them that you will come back
  to India. Actually all this won't be required - just in case they
  decide to have an interview with you these tips will come in handy.
  Point b is probably the best answer. If they ask you, points in favor are :
        a) only child,
        b) immovable property in India (can take a proof document),
        c) orthodox family,
        d) brought up in rural atmosphere,
        e) lots of relatives in India; none abroad,
        f) mom, dad won't come to USA,
        g) field of interest not available in India,
        h) change of field not possible in India,
        i) interest in teaching - get PhD fast.
        * Suggested ideal timings for getting the visa :
        to apply - 9:45 to 10:00 A.M.
        to collect - 4:45 to 5:00 P.M.
        Avoid Mondays and Fridays, Wednesdays are preferable

        * Go sometime before and get the form for this (you can take the filled form)

        * Things to be taken with you when you go for the visa
        a) signed I-20 form
        b) filled visa application form
        c) two passport size photos (take some glue)
        d) passport
        e) admission & aid letters
        f) TOEFL & GRE scores (original + photocopy)
        g) Xerox copy of grade cards

 
        
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Travel Arrangements
 
        * Blocking tickets as early as you can (this requires no financial
  commitment). This can be done via travel agents. Make sure the Travel
  Agent is good. Compare prices across agencies - there is usually some difference.

        * Much before the flight call the airlines directly and confirm your ticket.

        * Indicate whether you want Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVM), non-smoking section, etc.

        * Some airlines offer Frequent Flier programs [i.e. after
  a certain # of miles of flying with that airline you get a
        free ticket]. Enroll in such programs.

        * Avoid change of airline. A direct flight is the best. If
  change of airline can't be avoided, leave at least 4-6 hrs gap between
  the scheduled arrival of one flight and the scheduled departure of the connecting flight.

        * Baggage is usually safe with a single airline - change of
  airline sometimes leads to misplaced luggage. Some airlines don't
  take care of baggage transfer - you may have to personally carry it (check this while booking)
       

 
        In the Box
 
        * Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
        * Important apping materials (SOP, reco etc)
        * Necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's
  Tables, a good dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion)
  [note: there should be no legal hassles taking Xerox copies of books
  - but don't flaunt them to Americans/Profs]
        * Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
        * few Indian razor blades for cutting work + screw driver
        * Indian postal stamps - for sending letters through someone coming to India
        * Medical history files
        * Gifts (suggested: rollable pictures, handicrafts, etc)
        * Non-technical books (fiction/religious). [note: second-hand
  story books are cheap in the US]
        * 1 pair leather chappals, 2 hawai chappals (+ extra straps)
        * soap (bath), toothbrushes (slightly costly in the US - $1 or $2) etc
        * Cassettes

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        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.
        * 14-15 sets of undergarments, socks
        * 5 sets of good shirts, pants
        * a good swimming trunk + few shorts
        * a tie + 1-2 belts
        * 3-6 ordinary towels (Turkish ones start stinking)
        * a bedsheet
        * lungies/dhotis/pajamas
        * thermal underwear (2-4)
        * extra woollen sweaters

        Note:
        * sleeveless woollen sweaters are enough for warm places
        * woollen socks not recommended if not going to a cold place
        * second hand alarm clocks are cheap in US
        * don't take Indian files (empty) or punching machines - filing
  system is different in the US (3 holes, A4)
        * wear your shoes to save space in the box. If needed buy
  only leather shoes (other types of shoes are cheap in US). For some
  weather conditions Indian leather shoes may crack.
      

  Food
        Below are some South Indian food stuffs that may be taken :
        * 1 - 2.5 kg packets of "Sambar Podi"
        * 1 packet of "Rasam podi"
        * 0.5 box of "Masala podi"
        * 1 box of "Paruppu podi", "Upma podi", "Vatha-kozhambu podi","tamarind rice podi"
        * Appalam/Vadam/pickles
        * mustard packet
        * tamarind paste
        * different dhals in small quantity for initial phase
        * asafoetida powder
        * Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (takes some time to get used to American stuff)
        * Elaichi, clove, cinnamon
        Note: most of these items are available in the Indian stores
  in the major cities. However you need to carry them for use in the first few days.
        * actually pickles are not allowed - but you can take them
  in solder-sealed tins. [students are usually not checked for these]
        * take all dry food stuff in sealed plastic packets

        Don't come loaded with foodstuffs as you may have problems
  with the customs. Try to get "instant" stuff as people generally
  don't have much time for cooking in the US.
        Vessels - not required if you're staying in a dorm. Back to top
 
        * 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]
        * idli plates - if you plan to make idlis
        * dosai turner, charani (server with holes), rice server & other servers
        * tongs
        * small bowls ("kinnum")
        * rolling pin
        * knife
        * kadaie (optional)
        * cook book
        Note: no other vessels needed. No tumblers needed. Try to
  share & bring the vessels with others coming to your Univ. Non-stick
  kitchenware is cheap in the US. and you can buy a full set.
    

    Medicines
        This is a long list - get only those that you think you'll
  use. And importantly - I am not a doctor - these are passed on lists
  - so don't hold me responsible for anything that happens to you.
        * Crocin tablets - 3 strips - For fever, body aches, headache
  - One tablet three times a day as necessary
        * Erythrocin 500mg tablets - 2 strips - One tablet twice a day when necessary, as advised
        * Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips - One capsule twice a day when necessary, as advised
        * Actified tablets - 3 strips - for bad colds and stuffed noses - one at night
        * Cosovil tablets - 2 strips - For common cold & cough - One tablet three times a day.
        * Avomin tablets - 1 strip - For air sickness - One tablet as necessary.
        * Lomotil tablets - 20
        * Digene tablets - 30 - For diarrhoea & stomach discomfort
  - One tablet of each three times a day.
        * Pudinhara - 2 strips - for upset stomachs
        * Baralgam tablets - 2 strips - For abdominal colic pain,
  backache, etc One tablet every six hours as necessary.
        * Dorstal tablets - 10 - For nausea & vomiting -One tablet three times a day.
        * Electral powder - 2 packets - One teaspoonful mixed with
  drinks to make up loss of electrolytes after
        vomiting or diarrhoea.
        * Novalgin tablets - 2 strips - For headache & body aches - One tablet as necessary.
        * Stomatil tablets - 1 strip - For vertigo (giddiness) - One
  tablet three times a day as necessary till relieved.
        * Isogel (Glaxo) - 1 box - For constipation - One teaspoonful
  in a little of water at bedtime.
        * Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips - For arthritic joint pains
  - One tablet three times a day after food.
        * Avil tablets - 1 strip - For allergy - One tablet as necessary.
        * 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.
        * Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube - To be applied as a pain balm.
        * Band Aids assorted - 12
        * Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube

        True that medicines are relatively very expensive in the US,
  but you will also tend to fall ill less frequently (clean drinking water, etc).
 
       

Hand Baggage
        * some medicines (including for air-sickness)
        * novel/mags/books for in-flight reading
        * sweater
        * original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
        * enough money (little cash, travelers' checks)
        * address book/phone book (Indian & US)
        * copies of your photo (passport size)
        * enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
        * things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
  (two sets of clothes, valuables like calci, addresses etc)
        With you Back to top
 
        * shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
        * receipt got along with travellers' checks - in case you lose the TC's
        At Home Back to top
 
        * 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 few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be
  authorized to look after anything on your behalf
        Other useful things Back to top
 
        Certain things have to be done in advance, i.e., as soon as you get your aid.
        * Learn typing
        * Learn driving
        * Learn to cook
        * Apply for bank loan (if necessary)
        * Make your passport valid for atleast 6 months
        * Make outstation purchases (sweater, thermal underwear, cassettes,
  etc. - available/cheap in Delhi, Bombay..)
        * Get medical checkup done
        a) dental
        b) fresh checkup, especially if you have a major ailment -
  get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments See medicines.
        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) - else they will do it at the Univ
        e) get requisite immunization done (especially MMR)
        * Get cassettes recorded which you may like to take with you
        * Write to the India club/OIPS giving your flight #, time
  & date of arrival; they may pick you up & give temporary accomodation if necessary
        * If you are very interested in any Indian magazine (Telugu,
  Tamil, etc.) subscribe to them - you can subscribe to them after
  going to the US also -  or visit www.indiansuburb.com/links/news.htm often
        * Note your/parent's bank A/c #
       

Final Checklist
        * Airline tickets, Passport, I-20 (Travel documents/immigration documents).
        * Health care documents/Immunization form and immunization completion certificate.
        * General and specific medication/Spectacle and Contact Lenses and spares.
        * Clothing and Accessories: Sweaters, Umbrella/raincoat, even
  a pair of good water-proof boots if you can.
        * Formal attire and traditional attire. Atleast 2 weeks supply
  of daily-wear garments - that determines how often you go to the laundry!!!
        * Required pots and pans, a pair of tongs ('pakkad') to lift
  hot pans, even a masala box if you can.
        * Edible items/Spices/Masalas
        * Scientific Calculator, Textbooks, plastic files and folders to start you off in
  school. Other stationery you think will be useful.
        * Your list of contact numbers and useful addresses.
        * Some loose change in quarters, dimes and nickels (25 cents,
  10 cents and 5 cents respectively).
        * Travelers' checks/cash for foreign exchange.
 
     

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