Going2USA: Education - Tasts to do before leaving

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Education in USA

Predeparture tasks, Checklist, Documents

Tasks to do before leaving
Housing
Planning arrival in the US
Documents, Clothes, Miscellaneous items

Tasks to do before leaving [Top]

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 income tax filing requirements in India 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 bring 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, medines, and other supplies should be carried in your carry-on luggage. Your carry-on bag should also include one change of clothing.

Housing [Top]

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 Indian student organizations of that school. Most of the information is given on the 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 are 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 [Top]

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 [Top]

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 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.

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