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On acquiring your
visa, the first step of your journey begins! The following section
will provide you information on all the things that you need to
complete before flying abroad.
Things
to do before leaving
Housing
The
university catalogs provide a detailed information on the different
and types and costs of on- campus housing. It is recommended that you stay on campus for at least the
first semester as you may not be familiar with the city.
Besides you will also be coping with culture shock and a new
educational environment.
Please
check whether:
-
the school
provides on-campus housing.
-
As an international student/freshman
are you required to live
on campus?
-
What kind of housing is offered? Would you prefer coed halls
(with men and women in
the same building) or single-sex dormitories, (only men or women). Schools also provide housing for
students with similar interests (e.g. science, multiculturalism) and
housing for those with families.
-
Will you be willing to follow the rules of the dormitory?
-
Is temporary housing offered for students who are looking for
their own apartments?
-
Are international students
able to live with an American
family for a specified period of time as a part of the home stay
program.
Block your flight seat
Remember to block
your air tickets in advance. Check
with your travel agent for any student discounts that you may be
eligible for.
Make an Arrival plan
Prepare your
arrival plan. You need
to arrive at the University a few days prior to orientation.
If you have relatives in the area you can visit them as well.
Some Universities have special services to pick you up from
the airport. Check the
dates and inform the University about your intended date and time of
arrival. Also check if
you can move into your residential hall as soon as you arrive. If
you cannot move right in, then you might have to make arrangement
with a youth hostel or hotel.
Look up the place you will be going to
Your University
will be your home for the next few years.
Look up the location of the state and the city in which your
University is located on the map.
There are various websites that will help you locate the
cities, towns and even streets around your University.
If you surf the net regularly look out for articles that
provide information about the place, its people and their
traditional customs. Although you will go through some amount of
culture shock, the more informed you are the easier it will be for
you to adjust to your new lifestyle.
Health
Health care in the
United States is extremely expensive.
Carry some medicines that you normally take for common
colds, coughs, fevers, asthma and so on.
As a international student you will be required to buy health
insurance. Health
insurance is offered to students at very affordable prices by quite
a few universities.
Legal Preparation
Power of
attorney: This is your
signature on a legal and notarized document which must be with a
befitting person to act on your behalf in your absence. You should
specify the duties entrusted to the above person.
Property
Insurance: This is insurance for the usage of money during a
cancellation or interrupted flight, loss or damaged baggage during
the flight or in the residential hall. Your insurance should have a
world wide clause in it. In case of theft or damage , you should
file a report for with the police. A copy will be needed for by the
insurer before any claim will be considered.
Passport:
It is the only legal identification of being a citizen of your country. Make
sure your passport is in order. It has to be valid atleast 6 months
after you arrive in the United States. You will need to make several
photo copies of it. Your passport should be kept in a very safe
place. In case of loss or theft contact your embassy and local
authorities.
Registration of courses:
A catalogue is sent to the students, which provides information on
how and when to apply for courses. Use this catalogue for planning
which courses you want to take.
Students should select courses that meet their degree
environment and also experiment with unfamiliar territory when
undecided on a major. Once you are on- campus your international
student advisor will be your best guide.
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