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Msu Iso

The document provides guidance on what clothes, toiletries, kitchen supplies, medicines, and other items to bring for living in the US for at least 2 weeks. It also includes tips for travel preparations like booking flights, applying for visas, packing documents and valuables in carry-on luggage, and contacting the university for accommodations or transportation assistance upon arrival.

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Snehan Peshin
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40 views4 pages

Msu Iso

The document provides guidance on what clothes, toiletries, kitchen supplies, medicines, and other items to bring for living in the US for at least 2 weeks. It also includes tips for travel preparations like booking flights, applying for visas, packing documents and valuables in carry-on luggage, and contacting the university for accommodations or transportation assistance upon arrival.

Uploaded by

Snehan Peshin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Clothes:

Laundry is usually done once in two weeks. Some do it every week and some even less. In any case, it is advisable to have enough clothes for at least 2 weeks. Campus Wear: Jeans [4-6] Casual T-shirts/Shirts (8-12) Sweatshirt (1-2) Shorts/Cargos/Pants/Bermudas (3-4) 1 Cap Formal Wear: Formal shirts (3-4) Formal trousers (2) Formal blazer or suit (for interviews, etc.) (1-2) Tie (2-3) 2 to 3 Belts (formal and informal) Winter Wear: 1 Light jacket for fall (winter jackets are best bought in the US) Sweaters (2) Thermal underwear (2 pairs, OPTIONAL) Others: Underwear (20) 2 Night dresses Few bed sheets, bedspreads and pillow covers. Dont get too many of them. Beds here are larger than those in India and these bed sheets fit poorly on them. 1 or 2 Traditional outfits (Kurta-Pyjamas/Sarees for ethnic functions) Towels [2-3] Handkerchiefs [10-12] Blanket (Light weight) [1] (Recommended! You can buy a comforter(blanket) here for $15-$35) 1 or 2 Leather wallets

Footwear: Formal leather shoes (carry shoe-polish too) [1 pair] Socks [8-10 pairs, cheaply available here] Slippers/Sandals [1-2] Floaters - You don't get them here Toiletries: You will get almost everything you need over here. However, having at least some of these stuffs would avoid the initial expenditure when you are here.

Shaving set Combs Hair oil Mirror (small) Toothpaste and toothbrush Shaving cream Soaps Washing powder Cold cream Talcum powder Nail cutter Scissors Safety pins Sewing thread Needles Spare buttons and hooks Small tools like penknife, screwdriver etc.

MEDICINES
Analgesics (e.g. Crocin), pain killers, anti-allergy, cough and cold medicines, band-aids (cotton and bandages), ointments for burns, cuts, etc., medicine for diarrhoea, stomach ache, pain relieving sprays/ointments. Spectacles (and its prescription) Any other item with doctor's prescription. It is also advisable to have an eye and dental check-up prior to coming to the US.

Kitchen Utensils
1 or 2 nonstick vessels to make curries (with a covering lid) One nonstick pan (tava) to make chapatis, omelets. 1 Cooker 3/5 litre (also carry extra gaskets, whistles, safety valves, etc.) 1 Tea strainer 1 Strainer spoon for deep frying 3 Kitchen knives (different sizes are useful. Indian ones are sharper and better) 1 Peeler 1 pair of Tongs. 1 Egg beater 4 Cooking spoons

1 Serving ladle 2 Wooden spatulas Small PET bottles or a box with compartments to put all the frequently used spices 1 Cutting board (wooden/plastic) (Optional as its cheap over here) 4 Dinner plates (preferably microwaveable) 2 Plastic bowls Eating spoons and forks 2 Coffee mugs One small vessel to put tadka

Masalas and Pickles:


There are multiple stores in East Lansing where you can easily find most of the Indian spices and other food items. However, it would not hurt to have some essential requirements for the first few weeks in US. Bringing too much of these things is not advisable as its a risk to have them in your luggage given that Airport security could go through all these things in detail (even slosh sealed bags). These could then spoil rest of your belongings. Spices Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Red Chilli powder, Channa Masala, Jeera, Mustard seeds, Chicken Masala, Garam Masala, Asafoetida powder, Dried Red Chillies, Dried kadi patta, Rasam powder, Sambhar powder Other items like rice, pulses, coffee/tea, salt, sugar etc could also be brought in small quantitites. The U.S. immigration and agriculture department strictly prohibits carrying food, meat, vegetables, fruits, seeds, etc. into the United States. However, most of us have had no problems with the food items we brought into US. Make sure to have all the spices in proper sealed packets.

Money:
Please fill this. I brought a mere $200 with me as cash. I got lucky and got my first pay check the next day and I survived I am sure there are smarter things to be done.

Miscellaneous:
Good durable travel trolleys and hand baggage following the rules laid down by your airlines.

Do not bring too many electronic gadgets as they are cheaper here. Contacts and addresses of all acquaintances in USA. Other ethnic and religious items.

Travel Preparations:
Start looking for the best flight deals at least a month ahead of your date of travel. Few airlines still provide the option of blocking tickets (Air France and few other European airlines allow blocking for a maximum of 2 weeks, most others do dont have this option or allow just 24 hours blocking). Make sure that you have enough time between the connecting flights especially at the port of entry where the immigration procedures could delay you. Make all the necessary financial arrangements. Finish off your VISA applications and get your VISA ASAP. Verify all other documents like passport (its expiry date and all), I-20 etc and read thoroughly all your immigration documents to avoid last minute glitches. Make multiple copies of the entire set of your documents. Keep the originals with you in the hand baggage and keep one set in each of the luggage. Check with the airlines about the baggage limitations and specifications. Get a complete medical and dental checkup. Get all the prescriptions with you. Get your eye sight tested. Get at least one spare pair of spectacles. Follow the University directives and get the required immunizations. Visit http://liveon.msu.edu/ and check out University accommodation options. Many of you might end up staying at the Spartan Village Complex. Look for potential roommates and make an early application for an apartment. Inform the MSU - ISO about your travel plans as and when it is finalized so that we can arrange for pick-ups and temporary accommodations for those who need it. Have all the really important things in your hand baggage including one set of clothing for the eventuality of your luggage being misplaced, some medicines, toilet kit, novel/magazines, all original documents, money and important contacts (there are very strict limitations on the kind of things you can carry in your hand baggage. Comply with it fully as everything else shall be removed in one of the multiple security check-in). It is going to be a long flight so wear something comfortable. Relax during your flight, watch movies and enjoy the flight food. Ask around whenever in doubt. Follow all the directions in the airport properly and you should be just fine! Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

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