Things to do in Advance
Most Important Thing: Fill out the arrival form on the TTU- ISA website giving your flight #, time & date of arrival; we will pick you up from the airport & give temporary accommodation.
Driving
Learn driving. You will eventually have to drive in the US. It's difficult to start from scratch here. GET an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is issued to any Indian driving license holder at a minimal additional charge at the Road transport office which issued your license. It is usually valid for 1 year from date of issue. This will allow you to rent cars and also drive friends' cars. Getting a US License is possible for International students but it will take some time to get used to the traffic rules.
Cooking
Knowing how to cook is indispensable. Banish the thought that somebody else is going to cook for you. Dining out is very expensive and you have very limited choice in the menu if you are a vegetarian. Go through a few quick cooking lessons with your mom, so that you do not step into a strange new world ? the kitchen. If you already can cook then learn to cook some delicacies (you can impress us and your friends!!). Cooking is a very important aspect of your life here, which if neglected can create problems with your roommates. Ultimately everybody will be sharing his or her culinary expertise and there is a lot of experienced help on hand.
Medical Check up
Have your eyes, teeth and body checked thoroughly and have any abnormalities set right before coming here. Medical tests or surgeries are very expensive here. Bring along an extra pair of spectacles or contact lenses and a small medical kit to tide you over the acclimatization period. Also bring your medical history in case of specific ailments. If possible also take your MMR, FLU and Hepatitis shots (optional) shot in India and do not forget to bring along those certificates. Plan even the date of taking the shots well in advance as multiple doses are usually administered with a specific time gap. If you fail to do so then you will be relieved of $12 for the shots mentioned above at our medical center.
Finances
Arrange to obtain foreign exchange, for the amount you require. This can be done at any of the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. You will need your Passport, I-20 Student copy and air tickets for this. Additional documents may be required if you need to carry more money than permitted by the RBI. Carry the whole amount in traveler?s checks and cash of about $ 150-200. Make sure you have some 1 dollar bills, 25 cent and 10 cent coins (essential in case you need to call us from the airport as missing a connecting flight and arriving late is quite common). It would be good idea to carry the entire quota of money allowed by the RBI to tide over start up expenses. Students with Research /Teaching assistantships will get their first paycheck only after a month of classes.
Important: Keep your money/checks/demand drafts in your cabin baggage which you will be always carrying with you. DO NOT keep them in your waist pouches or in your big baggage.
Computers
It will be a good idea to acquire a few computer skills before coming. Exposure to the Internet will be handy. Also try and learn the basic MS packages like Windows, Word and Excel. Students are expected to make presentations and homework submissions on a regular basis and for all this the use of computers is extensive. Anything in addition to the above mentioned, like Windows NT, C, C++, Visual BASIC, etc. will be good too. There are a lot of web related jobs opening up on campus and therefore knowledge in that field is a definite advantage. All the above mentioned skills are not compulsory but desirable. Most of us have a learnt a lot after reaching Lubbock.