AFTERVISAWHATDOIDO??

Therearecertainthingsthathavetobedoneinadvance,i.e.,assoonasgetyouyour
visamuchbeforetheflight.
LearndrivingandgetthedrivinglicenseandanInternationalDrivingPermit.Thisusually
takes40days.Soitsbetterthatyoustartoffearly.
Learntocook.
Applyforabankloan(ifnecessary)
Makeyourpassportvalidfor6monthsmorethanyourstayindicatedinyourI20.

Immunization:
Findoutthenecessaryimmunizationinfoandgeteverythingdone.Generallythereare
somevaccineslikeHepatitisB,whichrequire3dosesonceeachmonth.Sodoitearly.
GetMMRdone(Thisisveryimportantshouldbedonebeforeyoucome)
TheTBtestwillbeconductedinthe EngemannStudentHealthCenter,soitisnot
necessarytogetitdoneinIndia.
ButgettingitdoneinIndiawouldntbeabadidea,itdoesntcostmuchanyway.Helpsto
takecorrectivemeasures,ifyoutestnegative(wecertainlyhopeyoudont!).Medicinein
theUSisextremely expensive,andthewayinsuranceworksisntverystraightforward
either.

Important:Completethehealthdocumentationthatyoumayhavetosubmitwhenyou
arriveinUS.

Tickets:
Hey!!!!goandblocktheticketfirst.Afewusefulpointers
Remembertoaskforstudentconcessions .(Sometimestheyallowyoutocarryan
extrabag)
Layoverattheportofentry:E xamplesayyoubookedaninternationalairlinewhich
allowsforoneextrabagasastudentdiscount,anditmakesastopinNewYork.Then
NewYorkisyourPoE(Portofentry).Makesureyouhaveatleast3.54hoursatyour
PoE.TheprogressatImmigrationandCustomsistimeconsuming. Ifyourlayoveris
short,youmightmisstheconnectingflight!
Localairline :IfyourPoEisdifferentfromyourdestination,thenmakesurethatthe
localairlinegivesyouthesamebaggageallowanceastheinternationalairline.
Confirmthisfromyouragent. Usuallythelocalairlinesgiveyouanallowanceofonly2
bags,andyoumightenduppayingextra.
Baggage :Someairlinesdon'ttakecareofbaggagetransferyoumayhaveto
personallycarryit(especiallyifyouenduptakingalocalairlinefromPoEtothe
destination).Checkanddoublecheckthiswithyouragent.
 Typicalexpenses:Rs.40,000Rs.50,000/ (Dependingontheairline,andwhenyou
book)
Checkanddoublecheckeverythingwithyouragent,evenifyourticketisconfirmed .

HealthCheckups
Getamedicalcheckupdone.
Dentalcheckup Freshcheckup,especiallyifyouhaveamajorailment
DentaltreatmentwhileinIndiaishighlyrecommendedasitisawellknownfactthat
dentistinU.Schargeexorbitantlyhigh.
Underinevitablecircumstancesifyouarerequiredtogofordentaltreatment.Youneed
priorappointmentoftwotothreeweeksinU.S
EvenStudentsarerequiredtobearthehugeexpenditure,asdentalcareisnotcovered
underhealthinsuranceintheU.S.
EyeCheckUp:
Getyoureyesightcheckedgetanewprescription.Buyatleastoneextrapairofglassesora
pairofcontactlens.Eyecareisagainnotcoveredunderinsurance,usually,anditsextremely
expensive.Togiveyouanestimate,$50$100justforapairofglasses.

Medicines:
LISTOFMEDICINESRECOMMENDEDBYADOCTOR
(Pleaseconsultyourdoctortoobeforeyoubuyorusethesemedicines)

Crocintablets(paracetamol500mg) 3strips
Forfever,bodyache,andheadache.
Onetabletthreetimesadayasnecessary.
Above60kgpleaseuse650mgtablets(thermol/dolo).
Forfevers,mildpainrelief
Actifedtablets 2strips(sideeffectdrowsiness)
AcostlierbutmuchbetteralternativeisAlerid(cetrizine)orNeoloridin(loridine) lesssedation
andnexttonosideeffects

Azithromycin500mgtablets(aziwin) 3strips.Onetabletonceadayforatleast3days...use
ifyouhaveabacterialcoldorRespiratoryinfection...(mostcommonsymptombeingdark
yellowcoloredmucus,fever,etc.).NOTNEEDEDFORordinarycold(whitemucus,watery
secretions)

Avominetablets1strip forair/motionsickness.Onetabletasnecessary.(causes
drowsiness)

Lomotil/Andialtablets15(fordiarrhea) Butrememberthebesttreatmentfordiarrheais
plentyoffluids,somegoodrestandblandfood.

Omeprazole20mg .Forgastritis.Canbetakeonceortwiceaday

Digenetablets20mg. Forstomachdiscomfort.Oneeachthreetimesaday.

Spasmoproxyvoncapsules3strips forabdominalcolicpain,backache,menstrualpainetc.
Onetabletevery6hoursorasnecessary.

Domstaltablets10. Forvomiting.Hastobetakenatleasthalfanhrbeforefood
Electralpowder2packets. Oneteaspoonfulmixedwithdrinkstomakeuplossof
electrolytesaftervomiting&diarrhoea

Novalgin2stripsforheadache&bodyache.Onetabletasnecessary.

AvilTablets1strip
forallergy(usecetrizine/loridinforlesssedation),Onetabletas
necessary.

Relaxylointment1tube tobeappliedaspainbalm.

BandAidassorted12

Soframycinskinointment1tube

Ciploxcapsules500mg.2strips .1capsuletwiceaday.ForInfectivediarrheas

VitaminBcomplexcapsules .Justincaseyourstarvingyourselfoutthere

SHOPPINGTIMEBUDDY!!
Ifyouhaveafriendwhoisgoingtothesameuniversity,forthesamesemester,itisbetterto
sharefewthings.Thissavesspaceaswellasmoney.Inthissection,wehavelistedthemost
commonthingsthatyourseniorshavecarriedandsuggestyoutodo.Manycommoditieslike
clothes,footwear,leatheritems,andothermiscellaneousthingsareexpensiveinUS.
Note:clothesarecheaperduringsaleslikeblackfriday.

Clothes:
Jeans:4to6pairs
Shorts:68.Gettheoneswhicharelongandgo23inchesbeyondknees.
Tshirts:68
Cottonshirts:45(nomulticoloredpatterns,theyarenotinvogueinUS).Cottonclothes
aregoodinwarmerplaces.
Nightclothes:23pairs
Formalsuit&Ties12pairs.Yourarelyneedthem.Onceinayearorsoonoccasions
likeConvocationceremonyandinterviews.
 Undergarments...alotofthem...1015pairs,atleast.Westressuponthisbecauseyou
maygotothelaundryonceintwoweeks!!
Socks...45pairsyoucanbringevenmorebecauseyouwouldbewearingshoesmostof
thetime.Donottakenylonsocks.Cottononesarebetter.
Sweaters.acouplefullsleevedadvisable
Handkerchiefsafew
23beltsoneformalleatherbeltandothersasyouplease.Youmightwanttoknowthat
onerarelytucksinthecasualdresses.
EthnicClothes:2pairs.ItwouldbegoodduringCulturalmeetsandfestivals.
Walletwithmorepocketsforcards,asyoullbeusingcardsforeverythinghereinthe
US1or2.
Sunglass,cap.

FOOTWARE:
Shoes:
SPORTSSHOES :1pairsSportsshoesarerealcheapinUS.MoreoverinsalesofChristmas
etc.Sodonotspendtoomuchmoneyforthese.Getsomemoderatelypricedandgoodonesso
thatyouneednotbuythemimmediatelyaftercomingtoUS.
LEATHERSHOES: NotneededforLAweatherbutyoumaygetittogoalongwithyouformals.
Chappals:
Getflipflopsforthebeach!:Dandanythingelsethatyoufeelisnecessary.

Personalaccessories:
ThereisasupermarketRalphsintheneighbourhoodwhereyoucanbuymostofyour
groceries.TargetisjustafewmilesawayandyoucouldtaketheDashF(bus)for50cents.
Hangersforclothes(youcanbuy18ofthemfor~3dollars)
Walletonethathasspaceforcardsyounormallydon'tcarrymuchcashwithyou.
Shavingkit,aftershaves&Blades(getagoodstock,theyarecostlyInUS).( Keepin
mindherethatyouarenotallowedtocarryliquidsinflight.)

Brush&toothpaste(thesearealsoexpensiveinUS).
Soap(getafewofbarsofbathingsoaptillyougoforthefirstgroceriesinUS).
Combs&hairoil(ifyouusehairoilgetayear'ssupplyofyourfavorites).
Smallmirror(Nothighlyrecommended).
Nailcutter.
Smallscissors,Safetypinbunch.Minisewingkitwithsomebuttons.
Waxstrips(Waxingandeyebrows($8)areexpensivehere).
Towelsandnapkins
Calculator,Backpack,KeyChains,Firstaidkit,loofah(ifyouneedone).
Blanket,bedsheets(youcouldagainbuythesefromtarget)

Utensils:
Dependsonwhetheryouguysplantocookaloneorwithyourhousemates,sincemostpeople
don'tgettimetocookdaily,stuffisgenerallypreparedfortwodaysatagosokeepthisin
mindwhenyoubuyvessels,etc. Trytobuyvesselscompatiblewithbothinductionand
gas.
1)Cooker1no.+spares
2)CookersContainers2no.(withtheirlids)
3)Kadai1no.
4)Nonsticktawa1no.
5)Spoonsandfork6no.
6)Grip1no.
7)Chapatifork/tong1no.
8)Ladleforpoori1no.
9)Spatulatypesusedwhilemakingroti)1no.
10)Knife2no.
11)Peeler1no.
12)Servingspoons(fordal,curryandrice)3no.
13)ButterKnife
14)Saucepan2no.
15)Steelcontainerstoheatfood2no.(withlid)
16)RollingPin/Belan(tomakerotis)1no.
17)Plate3no.
18)Katori3no.
19)Glass2no.
20)Cuttingboard1no.
22)Coffeespoonforsaltetc3no.
23)Smallsizeplasticspoonsformasala1no
24)Afewstoragecontainers.

FoodItems:
ThecloseststoretogetIndiangroceriesis Manas/JHBazaar( 2823VermontAve,LosAngeles,
CA90007).Artesia,about20milesfromUSChasa lot
ofIndianstores,soyoumightgetprices
andmorevarietythere.Dontbringtoomanyfooditemsasitmaybeaproblemduringcustoms
(Disclaimer:totallydependsonyourlucksometimesyoucangetawaywithalot,andatother
timesevenlittlemightcausetrouble). Donotcarryrice.YoucanbuyattafromManas,butmost
ofusendedupadoptinginstant/frozenchapatis.
SummarizingyourMasalalist:
1)Dhania&jirapowder.25kg
2)Chillipowder.5kg
3)Turmericpowder.25kg
4)Fulljira200gm
5)MustardSeed200gm
6)GaramMasalahomemade200gm
7)Pavbhajimasala2packets
8)Salt500gm
9)Sugar.25kg.
10)Hingpowderonebottle
11)Papad
12)Dals0.5kgofyourfavoritedalsforyourinitialuse.
13)Instantmasalasandreadytoeats(veryusefulduringexamtime)
14)Afewpacketsofmaggie.
15)Tamarindpaste,Elaichi,clove,cinnamon
16)tea/coffeepowder(200gm)
17)yourfavoritepicklesorchutneypowders.

MusicandMovies:
DownloadingisnotallowedinUS.SogetmoviesandmusicfromIndia.Butwehearthatitis
possibletowatchonline, althoughweknownothingaboutthat!
Contactseniorsformoreinfo.

Stationery:
Stationeryisexpensivehere,butyoumaynotbeabletoavoidbuyingsome.Becausetheres
onlysomuchyoucanfitinyourluggage!fooditemsandclothesgethigherpriority.
1. Whitesheets50no.
2. Erasers2no.
3. Pens12blue+12black(ballpens)
4. ScribblingPad1no.
5. Gluestick1no.
6. Pencils
7. Ruler12"1no.
8. Needle1packet
9. ThreadBlack1,White1reel,Blue1reel
10. Safetypins1dozen
Note:watchoutforBacktoschooloffersatStaples,Amazon,etc.assoonasyouland.

Luggage:
Luggageistheessentialthingonehastobuy.Thishastobedoneafterproperplanningas
luggageisanexpensiveitemandistoberetainedforyears,nowthatyouwillbedoinglotof
travelinginflight.
Bags: 2largesizesuitcasesSOFTTOPSONLY(4wheelsarebetter)
Packing: Startyourpackingwellinadvance
Buttwogoodboxes/BaggagewithSoftTopstheyshouldbeabletowithstandalotof
mishandling.Theyshouldbeaslargeaspossiblewithinthesizelimitations(howevermost
airlinesarenotverystrictaboutbaggagesize).
Putidentificationmarksandlabelsonboththeinside&outsidetheboxes)apartfromthis,the
airlineswillalsoprovideyouwithadhesivelabels).
Boxeswithindependenttop&bottomarepreferable.
Boxspecification:AsanexampleofAirIndiaeconomyclassbaggagespecificationstotheUSA
aregivenbelow.Notethespecs.maybedifferentforothercountries/airlines.
2piecesofbaggagewithtotallineardimension(L+B+H)notexceeding270cms(106").
Moreoverthetotallineardimensionofeachpieceshouldnotbeover158cms(62").Theweight
ofeachbagshouldnotbeexceeding32kg(70lb)[note:Sometimestheyarenotparticularabout
this]Carryonbaggage:Inadditionyoucancarryabagwithlineardimensionnotexceeding
115cms(45")onboardfitsbeneaththeseat.

Thingstobekeptintheboxes/baggage:
Copyofallthecertificates/documents(originalsinhandbaggage)
ImportantapplicationmaterialshavesoftcopiesofeverythingSOP,Reco,etc.
Necessarybook/notebooks
Alistofimportantphonenumbers,incaseyourphonerunsoutofcharge!
Medicalhistoryfiles
Nontechnicalbooks(fiction/religious).[Note:secondhandstorybooksarecheapinthe
US]
Don'ttakeIndianfiles(empty)orpunchingmachinesfilingsystemisdifferentintheUS
(3holes,A4)
Don'ttakepaper
Don'ttakeraincoats.
Wearyourshoestosavespaceinthebox.Ifneededbuyonlyleathershoes(othertypes
ofshoesarecheapintheUS).Forsomeweatherconditions,Indianleathershoesmay
crack.

Don'tworryyourselfifyoucan'tbringanyofthestufflistedabovemostoftheitemsare
availableprettycheapintheUS(MadeinChina).Exceptionsareleathergoods,formalwear.In
amonthortwoyouwillbeabletogetanythingyouwant.
Thingstobekeptinhandbaggage:
Somemedicines(includingforairsickness)
Novel/Mags/booksforinflightreading
Sweater
Originalimportantdocuments(I20,visa,tickets.)
Enoughmoney(littlecash,traveller's'checks)
Addressbook/phonebook(Indian&US)
Copiesofyourphotos(passportsize)
Enlistedstepstobefollowedincaseofemergency(accident,theft,etc.)

Thingstobekeptinperson:
Shorterextractofcontactaddressesespeciallyofpeoplecomingtopickyouup.
Receiptgotalongwithtraveller's'checksincaseyoulosetheTC's.
1handbagtocarryinflightstuffwithyou(buyagoodquality,spaciousone'causeyoumight
havetouseitforcarryingclothestothelaundrylater).
1backpack(getagoodone,youwilluseitalmostallthetimeinUS).


Books:
Professorusuallydesignselfcontainedcourses.Butagain,checkonclasses.usc.eduifthere
areanyrecommendedtexts.TrypurchasingIndianedition.Textbooksareexotbitablypriced
here!
Askseniors.
Yourentirefundamentalcoursetextsandnotes(forreferenceofbasics).
Note:Mostofthetextsareavailableinthelibrary(softcopiestoo!).

Standardmathematicaltableandformulaehandbook.Mightalsowanttobuyanalarmclock.
Goodnovelsifyouhaveapenchantforreading,thoughyoumaynotfindtimeduringthefirst
semester.

Moneytobetakenwithyou:
Trytogetanaccountincreditunionassoonasyouarehere.
Otherthanyoufeerequirementsyoumayhavetotake$1000$2000dependinguponwhere
youaregoing(youcangetthisinfofromyourseniorsoverthere).Thisyoucangetfrom
ThomasCook/AmericanExpressandofcourseanyForeignExchangebanklikeSBI,SBHIOB
etc.Dotheseafteryoubuyyourticket.Andremember!TakemajorpartofthemoneyinDDor
TC'sOROFFLATEYOUHAVETHESEVISHWAYARTACARDFROMSBIAdebitcardwith
preloadedcashwhichcanbewithdrawnintheUSA.ThetypicalcombinationisDDforthe
entirefeeyouhavetopay,$1000$2000inTCs,and$100incash...acombinationofnotesand
coins.$1billsandquartersareusefulifyouusethevendingmachineorphoneatairports.
Moneyyoumayneedtopayaftergoingthere:Otherthanyourfee,youmayhavetopaythe
securitydepositforthehouserentforthefirstmonth,groceriesforthefirstmonth...basic
utilitiesliketoaster,ricecookeretc.whichmaycomearoundto$500approx..

Documentation:
Carryalldocumentationsafely,andhavephotocopiestobackyouupletterfromUniv.,mark
sheets,etc.(thevisastuffbasically).Thingstogetphotocopied:Makethreesetsofthefollowing
copies,keeponesetathomeandtaketheremainingtwosetswithyou.
Xth,Inter(10+2),Degreemarkssheets,ConvocationCertificateofUndergraduation.
I20andacceptanceletterfromtheuniversity.
TakealltheI20'swithyouifyouhavemorethanone.

Importantthingstodobeforeyouleave:
Givepowerofattorney(authorizationletters)toyourfatherorbrotherortosomeoneonwhom
yourely.
Putyoursignatureona10planepapers,writeyounamebelowit,keeptheseathome,they
mayneeditforanypurposelikeauthorizationtocollectmarkssheets,Provisionalcertificate,
Transfercertificate,Bonafidecertificate,Degreecertificate,Migrationcertificatefromthe
university,applyingfortherefundfromthecollegeetc.
Makeallbankaccountsjoint

Thingstobeleftathome:
AcopyofListofaddresses/phonenumbersatwhichinfoaboutyoucanbeobtained.
Onecopyofallyourimportantdocuments.
Acopyofallrelevantpartsofmedicalhistoryfiles.
Arrangetocollect/redirectmailfromyourroom/hostel.
Arrangetoapply/collect/mailyourtranscripts(about20innumberpreferable)
Yourtailoringmeasurements.

AReview&Miscellaneous:
GetadrivinglicenseandaIDP(internationalDrivingPermit)
Getatleast$750ifyougetpaidwithinonemonthofarrivingandatleast$1500ifyougetpaid
afteramonthandahalfofarrival.Ifyouhaveaverygoodfriendwellsettledattheplacewhere
youaregoingto,youmaytakesomelesscashwithyouasyoucanborrowfromhimandrepay
later.You'llhaveseveraldepositstopayforthefirstmonthofstaylikegas,telephone,and
electricity.You'llhavetopayamonthsrentasdepositandamonthsrentadvance(around$250
perperson/month).
Getyourapplicationmaterialifyouwishtoreactivateyourapplicationsatabetterplaceforthe
nextquarter/year.
GetasetoftranscriptsincaseyouapplyalloveragainforaPhD.
B.Tech.Degreecertificate(laminateitinthinplasticispossible).
Get23passportsizephotographs.
Getanaddress/phonenumberdiary.
Haveasetofcopiesofvisa,passport,I20ineachpieceofluggage.
Dependingupontheweatherinyourareagetafoldingumbrella.
CarryRs.300Rs.500/forairporttaxandRs.600/forthe$20you'llgetinsidetheairport.
Ifyouarehavingacamerathengetitendorsedonyourpassport.
Getagoodleatherpursethathasseveralsectionsof"visitingcards"size,you'llneedthosefor
thebunchofcreditcards/keycards/ID's,etc.you'llaccumulateinnotimeinUS.
Carrymedicalprescriptionforallyourmedicinesyoubring.
Ifyouhaveglasses,getathrougheyecheckupbeforeandget2extrapairsofglasses.
Keeppassport,visa,I20,andotheradmissiondocumentsinthehandbagyou'llcarryonyour
shouldersallthetime.
Confirmyourticketacoupleofdayspriortotheflightdirectlythroughtheairlinesyouareflying
nomatterhowreputedyourtravelagentis.
Letmerepeatthis,getadriver'slicenseandanIDP.

INTHELASTWEEK:
Callupandfindifthereisanychangeofthescheduleoftheplane(informthepeoplecomingto
pickyouupofanysuchchange).
Getreadytofacethelongjourney.
Bidadieutoallconcerned.
Findoutthenameofthepersonwhoiscomingtopickyouupattheairport.Remindthose
peopleoftheflighttimings,airlineno,yourname.Informallthesetoyourpeopleathome.
Relaxthedaybeforejourney,andcheckallthedocumentsyouaretakingwithyouonceagain.
Arrangefortheconveyanceifyoudonthaveacar.Youcanbookwithanyprivatetransport
facilitylikeCitycabs.

ONTHEDAYOFTHEFLIGHTANDONBOARD:
Sinceitisgoingtobealongflightwearsomethingcomfortable(cottondress+fullhandshirt).
Wearyourshoesinflightyoucanremovethem(someairlinesgiveinflightshoeselserelax
insocks).
Checkallthedocumentsonceagainandkeepthematappropriateplaces.
Beattheairport34hoursbeforethedeparture.
Relaxduringflight,sleepasmuchaspossible.

Forvegetarianswatchoutbeforeyoueatyoumaygetnonvegevenifyouhadaskedfor
veg.Vegfoodisgenerallyblandfruits/juicesaregoodchoices.(Beforeorderinganythingon
boardcheckif,youhavetopayforitseparately).Don'thesitatetoaskquestions.
Cheeseburgers havebeefinthem
OnceoutofIndiabeverycareful(fromsheerexperienceofseniors).Don'ttrustanyone.Don't
hireataxi(unlessemergency)tillyoureachyourdestination.Ifrequireddon'thesitatetospend
money.

ONCEOFFTHEPLANE:
YouarenowintheUSA!Onceyouareoutoftheplanegostraighttotheimmigrationcounter
rushforthemtobeatthequeue.Itmighttake0.51hourhere.KeepyourI20,passport,
admission&aidlettersready.Theymightaskafewquestionslike
IsthisyourfirsttimeintheUS?Student?F1Visa?WhichUniv.?TheywillattachanI64card
toyourvisa.
Thengotothebaggagecountertofetchyourluggage.Pickupacart(yougetthisatamachine
for$1)tocarrythebags.Thenpickupyourbagsastheycomeoutontheconveyor(suitable
eyecatchinglabelshelphere)wesuggestyoutieyourbaggagewithropeofabrightcolorthat
isvisiblefromadistance.Allthisistomakeyourbaggageappeardistinct.Ifyoudon'tgetyour
baggage,informtheinquirysectionyoumayhavetowait0.51hourhere.
Cartyourbaggagetothenearbycustoms.Ifaskedtellthemthatyouareastudent,F1visa,
school,dept.,comingtoUSforthefirsttimeifaskedtoopenyourbaggagedososlowlydonot
messuptheplace.Ifaskedaboutthe"masalapowder(podi"'s)tellthemthattheyare"dried
Indianspices"tomaketraditionalIndianfoodlikecurry.Rarelytheymightaskyoutogothe
agrisdeptnearbyitsapain.Ifaskedabout"vibhuti"tellthemthatitisaholyHindupowder.

Note: Inmostcases,youwillnotbeaskedtoopenyourboxesatall&youwillbesimplywaved
through.
Nowgo&waitatthenearestexitfortheguyswhoaresupposedtopickyouup.Ifnobodyturns
upaftersometime(say0.5hour)makeacollectcall(atpublicphonediala"0",gettheoperator
&askforacollectcall)elsecall
YourProf
Department
InternationalStudents'Office
AdmissionsOffice
AnyIndianguyinthedirectory

GoandaskforanannouncementtobemadeoverthePAsystem.Getacard,writeyourname
&holditup.
Neverleaveyourbaggageunattended.Don'tgooutoftheairportuntilsomebodycomes&picks
youup.Ifyouhavedoubtsabouttheguywhocomestopickyouup,don'thesitatetoaskforhis
ID.(Allthisisofcoursebeingalittleextracautious).Makesureyouarepleasingwhileyou
identifyhisidentity.Lestyouoffendthepersonwhohascometohelpyou.
Onceyoureachyourfriend'shouse(oryourintendeddestination)callhome&informthemof
yourreachingsafely.IfyougetyourhandonInternet,dotypefewwordsofyourexperienceand
emailit.

FIRSTFEWTHINGSTHATYOUNEEDTODOINAMERICA:
TherearecertainprimarythingstobedoneonreachingUS.Theyarediscussedinthissection
YourfirsttaskistomeettheforeignstudentsortheadvisorsintheInternationalstudents'office
(ISO)orGradAdvisororadministrativesecretary.Keeparecordofyourdetails(passport,visa
detailsetc).WhenyouleavetheUS(temporarilyorpermanently),youhavetogothereagain.
MeetyourprofifyouhavegotanRAoraTA.
Openabankaccountimmediately.Askseniorsforagoodbank.
Findanapartmentand/orroommates.
Completealltheofficialproceduresattheschoollike
Attendingtheorientation
GettingyourstudentID
GettingyourSocialSecurityNumber.
PayingtheFee
Registeringfortheclassesetc..

Yourseniorsandyourdept.willguideyouthroughallthese,sodon'tworrytoomuch.
AlltheBest,andseeyousoon!!:D