Packing / Traveling Tips

Start your packing well in advance, buy two good suitcases/baggage - 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). Buy another cabin baggage (a smaller suitcase) to carry couple of spare pairs of clothing, documents, audio player, camera, cassettes and any fragile items. This baggage is very frequently checked at the air port, so keep the keys in an accessible place like your waist pouch or back pack/college bag.

Box specifications

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 158 cms (62"). The weight of each bag should not exceed 32kg (70 lb). (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.)
Carry on/Cabin baggage: You can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115 cms (45") onboard. For most other airlines the baggage specs are similar (confirm). The weight limit on this baggage is around 8-12 kg depending on the airlines.
It is a good practice to check the weight of your baggage after fully packing. You can make adjustments in case they are overweight/underweight. This avoids having to unpack and remove items at the airport if they are overweight.

Things to be kept in the boxes

  • Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
  • Important applying materials (SOP, recos etc) necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's Tables a good dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion) Some stationery and related items suggested (not absolutely necessary - just for the first few weeks) are :
    • Airmail covers
    • Scissors for cutting work
    • Screw driver
    • Medical history files
Note: Sharp and pointed objects like scissors/nail cutters/ knifes are to be kept in the big baggage and not in the hand/cabin baggage.


Things to be kept in hand baggage

  • Original important documents (I-20, VISA, Degree Certificates, etc.)--- best if kept on person.
  • Enough money (little cash, traveler's check)
  • Address book/phone book (Indian and US contacts)
  • Any valuables (like calculator, alarm clocks etc?)
  • Things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced (toiletries, two sets of clothes etc.)
  • A sweater
  • Some medicines ( including for air-sickness)
  • ISA committee contact numbers
  • Copies of your photo (passport size)
  • Novel/magazines/books for in-flight reading

Things to be left at home

  • List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained.
  • One copy of all your important documents
  • A copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files
  • Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel.
  • Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable).
  • A few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf.

Things to be kept on person

  • Some cash, coins (Get US Quarters for making phone calls after landing), traveler's checks and tickets.
  • Receipt given along with traveler's check ? in case you lose the TC?s.
  • Shorter extract of contact addresses ? especially of people coming to pick you up.
  • Some other things you might want to carry.
  • Novels(non-technical books/magazines, fiction, religious).
  • 1 pair leather chappals, 2 hawai chappals.
  • Soap (bath), toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc (slightly costly in the US - 1 or 2 bucks).

Things to be done in the last week before the flight.

Call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane. (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change) Rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag. Bid bye to all concerned - tell your girlfriend/boyfriend you'll be back!

Things for the flight

  • Keep in mind that it gets cold up there. Keep your passport and other documents safe with you, never ever leave them around.
  • Keep these in your carry-on.
  • Novels for in-flight reading.
  • Also a sweater, it will get cold on the flight.
  • All original documents.
  • Some medicines for fever, headache, cough, allergies or vomiting.
  • Two or three changes of clothes.
  • A towel.
  • Toiletries.

Port of entry

The port of entry is one of the major cities in which you set foot in the US. Just before you land in the port of entry you will be given a form to fill out in the flight, which will reflect your details, country of citizenship, visa status passport number, etc. It?s called the ?I-94? form. Click here to download a sample (you don't have to take a print out with you!! It WILL be provided in the flight) of I94 form. This piece of document is the starting point for determining your lawful status in the US and is as important as your visa or passport. One of the entries in this from is your address of stay in the US. You can mail us in advance and we will provide you with our address.
Once you land, you will be directed to move towards the Immigration check counters. You need to be ready with you passport, visa, filled I-94 form and your I-20. Answer to the officer in the counter politely. As per the new regulations, you will be required to give your finger prints. The officer will endorse the I-94 form with a designation ?D/S?, which means ?duration of status? and staple it to your passport. DON'T lose your I-94 form!!