Things to be done in advance before departure
Things to Remember
Packing
Documents
Books
Utensils
Clothes
Toiletries
Groceries
Other Stuff
Medical
Not to get
Port of entry procedures
Once You Are Here

Things to be done in advance before departure

1. Learn to cook.

2. Make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20

3. Make outstation purchases.

4. Have a complete medical checkup done.

5. Get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments (the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name).

6. Get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription. Buy at least one extra pair of glasses, lenses.

7. Get requisite immunization done (MMR). Fill in the Health and Immunization record form that has been sent to you with the I-20 packet.

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Things to remember

1. When traveling, if you are a vegetarian, specify for vegetarian food on your flight.

2. Carry money as travelers' cheques, safest and convenient method of carrying money.

3. The only medical proof you need to remove your F-hold is MMR. It's fine if you don't have one, don't try to fake it as it is provided FREE at the University Health Center. Eye, dental and other medical proofs are generally not required.

4. The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. The Indian driving license (after you clear the written exam) is valid so we won't suggest going through the hassle of getting an IDP.

5. Don't worry about the degree if you have graduated recently, the school officials will check Transcripts/Mark-sheets of previously attended schools/Degree Certificate after 1 year.

6. Most of the stuff listed is available here and won't make much difference if you purchase it here. So don't try to unnecessarily stuff your bags with things. Make sure you have the things you need when you are just settling in.

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Packing

1. Start your packing at least two days before departure date.

2. Buy two large sky bags - they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling. They should be as large as possible within the size limitations (however most airlines are not very strict about baggage size).

3. Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the boxes (apart from this, the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).

4. Box specifications, As an example the Air India economy class baggage specifications to the USA are given below. Note the specs. may be different for other countries/airlines. 2 pieces of baggage with total linear dimension (l+b+h) not exceeding 270cm (106"). Moreover the total linear dimension of each piece should not be over 158cm (62").

6. Carry on baggage: In addition you can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115cm (45") onboard (fits on overhead compartments).

Note: Do not carry any sharp things along with you as they are usually detected as weapons

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Documents

Remember to carry all important documents in a neatly arranged folder. Put a copy of the documents you are carrying in each piece of your luggage.
Make 3 copies of the documents. Leave 1 copy at home in India and carry 2 copies with you. Carry the originals (especially PASSPORT & I-20 etc.) on person (or in your cabin baggage) during travel.

1. Passport / Photocopies Leave a copy in each bag.

2. Admission Letter Leave a copy in each bag.

3. I-20 & VISA photocopies Leave a copy in each bag.

4. Credentials Leave a copy in each bag.

5. Transcripts Leave a copy in each bag.

6. Recommendation Letters Leave a copy in each bag.

8. Vaccination Certificate MMR, TB test..

9. Medical Prescription of all medicines

10. College Leaving Certificate

11. Receipts of traveler cheques One copy in each baggage

12. Enough Money Cash with some change.

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Books

Books are the first priority. The list of books is provided in our BookList section. Select the courses you are planning to take and find the corresponding books for those courses. If you don't find the books corresponding to the courses that you intend to take then you may request some of the ISA members from your department for help.

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Do not stuff your bag with utensils. Everybody gets a small pressure cooker, 3lit. and they waste their baggage space. Because, you will be living with 2-3 people, maybe more. A small pressure cooker is not enough for everybody's meal. Co-ordinate with somebody, if you can, if three people can get together then one should get a big cooker (5lit.), the other a smaller cooker and cutlery. The third should get pots and pans.

The list here is comprehensive so you need not carry each and everything mentioned below.

Be sure that all vessels are Flat-Bottomed, as there are electric stoves here.

1. 2-3 Plates

2. 2-3 Small Plates

3. 1 kadhaii ... (suitable for 4-5 people)

4. A cooker ( read above)

5. Dead weight valves (2)

6. Spare Gasket (2)

7. 1-2 kitchen knives (You can keep them in the airline baggage, not in the cabin luggage)

8. 3-4 Glasses

9. Tea strainer

10. Peeler

11. Holder (to move hot vessels)

12. 3-4 Vessels (2 small / 2 large / one for microwave)

13. Cooking spoons (3)

14. Plastic bowls (2, microwavable)

15. Eating spoons/forks (5)

16. Non-stick pans...and their spatulas ... (1)

17. Normal cooking pan / Frying pan (2)

18. Cutting Board

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Again the list is comprehensive and we recommend that you carry the things that suit your needs and style. The average winter temperature is 15 °C and the average summer temperature is 30°C.

1. 6-7 Jeans

2. 3-4 Shorts

3. 10-15 T-shirts

4. 4 Formal Shirts + 3 Trousers (Maximum, as normally its casual dressing)

5. 1-2 Jackets

6. 3-4 Sweaters or sweatshirts or fleece shirts should be ideal for winter

7. Thermal undergarments (2)

8. A cap

9. Undergarments (14 should be safe to account for late laundry)

10. An air pillow (If you are comfortable with it, otherwise get the regular one if you have space)

11. Blanket (1) (If you have space get a warm one for winter)

12. Bed sheets and bed spreads (2 each)

13. 2 Sports shoes

14. 1 Formal leather shoes (Carry shoe polish too)

15. Traditional dress (Optional) (for cultural programs)

16. Formal blazer or suit (Optional)

17. Belts (formal and informal)

18. Socks (6-10 pairs)

19. Slippers/sneakers

20. Leather wallets (preferably with pockets for lots of plastic cards)

21. Towels (2)

22. Hand kerchiefs (4)

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Toiletries

1. Razor/ Blades/ Cartridges/ Shaving cream / Shaving brush

2. After Shave lotion

3. Scissors

4. Tooth brush/ tooth paste

5. Combs / Hair oil

6. Talcum Powder

7. Shampoo (1)

8. Soaps ( Bathing and washing) (2 of each)

9. Deodorant/perfume

10. Moisturizing Lotion

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While you are settling in, ready to cook foods are best, and they wouldn't make your bag heavy either. Bring a few packed, ready to eat meals, Maggie noodles etc.

The list below is general and may vary according to individual's taste and consumption. All the groceries are available here and we would recommend you getting minimum stuff for initial use (they can always be purchased here) as they occupy a lot of space.

1. Tea powder (small pack)

2. Coffee powder (small pack)

3. Turmeric powder (250 gm)

4. Red chilly powder( 250 gm)

5. Garam masala (250 gm)

6. Dhaniya powder (250 gm)

7. Jeera powder (250 gm)

8. Sambar masala (500 gm)

9. Chole Masala ( 250 gm)

10. Elaichi (100 gm)

11. Clove (100 gm)

12. Papad ( 1 packet)

13. Pickles

14. Tamarind powder ( 1 bottle)

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Listed below is a miscellaneous list of items which are optional.

1. Glasses

2. Camera

3. Walkman / Discman

4. Stationary (ruler, pencils, pens, stapler, cello tape, scissors etc.)

5. Screwdriver

6. Can-opener

7. Book-Bag/Backpack (recommended)

8. Scientific calculator (a must for engineering students)

9. Watch / Alarm Clock

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Medical

Get some medicines which you think would be useful for any common health problems that you have. You could get some basic medicines for headache, stomach ache, indigestion, fever etc.

Although not necessary, you are advised to have the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) injection, and get a certificate if possible for all the vaccinations you had when you were a child. Hepatitis-B vaccinations are also advised, but it takes 3 injections over 6 months. Consult your doctor on all this.

Medicines are pretty expensive here. Do get some medicines from home, especially if you have some known health issues. Carry proper prescriptions for those medicines you bring along. It's very important as you might be asked at the airport. Also try to have a small note as to which medicine to take for the respective illness.

This list of selective items has been made according to the personal experiences of people who have come here. So, a few important items may be missing or are inadequately specified. Hence, personal discretion is highly recommended.

1. Vicks

2. Amrutanjan

3. Iodex

4. Dettol

5. Band Aids ( 5)

6. Burnol (1)

7. Painkillers (Combiflam, brufen) ( 10 of each)

8. Paracetamol & Crocin

9. B Complex ( 20)

10. Vaseline

It is recommended that you consult your doctor and get a list of medicines that he/she suggests.

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1. Anything that runs on 220 Volts, you can't even plug it in, leave alone expect it to work.

2. Do not bring fresh plant products such as fruits, vegetables or meat products, you'll have trouble at customs. Pickles are ok, and it's safer to answer "No" when you're asked about fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Too much formal clothing. Most people dress casually and comfortably.

4. A Truckload of spices - you get everything you need here.

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Port of entry procedures

1. Sometime before landing, the flight attendant will distribute customs declaration forms & immigration forms as mentioned below. Fill these out on the plane (you will submit them to the appropriate authorities when you land). Do not hesitate to take the flight attendant's help.

2. You can indicate that you have nothing to declare & total value of all goods you carry is less than $100 on the customs form.

3. Fill form I-94 in the plane. After seeing your documents, immigration officer will indicate length of stay, university, etc. This will be attached to your passport. You must retain this I-94 form, else you will face trouble in leaving USA later.

4. Form I-20 ID copy - all transactions regarding your non-immigrant status will be recorded in this form. This should be retained at all times (not surrendered when you temporarily leave the US). Your admission number will be given - memorize it & note it elsewhere.

5. Just before you land the correct local time will be announced set your watch [dual time watch will come in handy here] San Diego is 12:30 hours behind India from 31st April to 31st October and 13:30 hours behind India for other times.

6. Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter rush for them to beat the queue. It might take half to one hour here.

7. Keep your I-20, passport, admission & aid letters ready. They might ask few questions like - is this your first time in the US? -Are you a student on F-1 visa? -Which University are you joining?

8. The immigration officer will attach an I-94 card on one of the pages of your passport usually against the visa page.

9. Be very relaxed and answer all the questions that the officer will ask. Very rarely, but the officer may ask you to present financial documents or letters from your sponsors. Thus it is advisable to carry these along with you in your cabin baggage.

10. Then go to the conveyor belts to fetch your luggage. Pick up a cart to carry the bags. Then pick up your bags as they come out on the conveyor (suitable eye-catching labels help here). If you don't get your baggage inform the enquiry section.

11. Cart your baggage to nearby Customs. If asked, tell the officer that you are a student on F-1 visa, school, department and coming to USA for the first time. If asked to open the baggage do so slowly but do not mess up the place. Note : In most cases you will NOT be asked to open your boxes at all & will be simply waved through.

12. Then go & wait at the nearest exit for the volunteers who are supposed to receive you. They will always be standing and waiting for you on the exit. Be relaxed, ISA will ALWAYS try to make an arrangement to receive you. NEVER keep ISA volunteers as backup. If you have asked a relative or a friend to receive you then DON'T make an attempt to call the ISA for pick up.

13. Never leave your baggage unattended. Don't go out of the airport until somebody comes to receive you. If you have doubt the person who has come to receive you, don't hesitate to ask for his/her identification paper.

14. Once you reach your house (or other destination) call home & inform them of reaching safely.

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Once You Are Here

First things to do

Welcome to San Diego. Here are a few instructions that will help you get started on Campus. Obviously, this short document does not cover everything that needs to be done. It simply attempts to serve as a handy reference sheet that you can carry around.
Please follow the following sequence for your convenience.

1. Go to the International Student's Center, ISC. Let them know that you are on campus. Buy your Health Insurance & register for the Student Orientation.

2. Go to the Bank (Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo etc.), and open an account. Deposit your money. You will be given 10 temporary checks & an ATM card. (You can use the checks to pay your tuition, insurance etc...).