Sunday, November 12, 2006
Port of Entry Procedures
In Flight
Sometime before landing of your flight to USA, you will be asked to fill up two documents,
** White Colored I-94 Immigration Arrival/Departure Record Form :
You have to fill up both, the Arrival AND Departure Section of the I-94. (i.e item nos. 1 through 17 on the I-94 form) If you have any doubts regarding filling in that form, do not hesitate to contact the Air-hostess. She will help you fill it out. That's the form which will be honored by the INS and allow you to enter the US. Its not at all complicated, its a pretty simple form.
Immigration Form I-94 is kept herewith for your reference.........Click Here to view it.
** Customs Declaration Form 6059B:
You DO NOT have to pay any customs duty. So, fill up the form accordingly. NOTE that the amount will have to be declared in US Dollars. The form will also ask you to declare if you are carrying any fruits, plants, soil, etc. Say NO to the question. And don't carry any fruits. Eatables will be allowed in, don't worry about it. But pack them properly. All of us bring spices, pickles (athanas), papad, etc...so, DO NOT DECLARE THOSE.
Customs Declaration Form 6059B is kept here for your reference.........Click Here to view it.
Check NO on point numbers 11, 12 and 13 and in point 14 indicate "•O•" which means that you have nothing to declare.
Here too, you can take the help of the Air hostess, in case you have any doubts regarding filling in the Customs Declaration Form.
Immigration
Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter - rush for them to beat the queue. It might take 0.5-1 hour here. Keep the I-20 (all pages), Passport/Visa, evidence of financial support and admission & aid letters ready. You will require it to present it to INS before you get your two big bags back from the airport. So, don't ever commit the mistake of putting your I-20, evidence of financial support and passport/visa in the luggage that you check in with the airline. BIG TROUBLE, otherwise....
The officer will ask you to show your I-20, passport, visa and the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record card, that you just filled up in the flight. Usually, they won't ask for the evidence of financial support, still it is advisable to keep it handy. Carry only the latest I-20 with you, valid for this Fall. Put all other non-important papers away.
The officer may ask you trivial questions like - is this your first time in the US ? Student ? F-1 visa ? Which Univ you are going to ?? what major ?? etc.
Tell all that is listed on the I-20. Don't speak anything stupid like you might go to UTD, or might do EE or anything which is not required.
YOU ARE GOING TO UTA AND DOING CSE. That's it.
Say as per the I-20. Otherwise, you might just end up spending more time with the officer.
The officer will do the following: (MOST IMPORTANT)
He will stamp the date and city of arrival (e.g. CHICAGO) on Page 3 your I-20
He will detach the lower half (Departure Record) of I-94, stamp the date and city of arrival on the lower half of I-94 and attach it to your passport on the page opposite to your US visa.
The INS will keep one copy of the I-20 and enter your Arrival record into the computer.
The INS officer will then return the other copy (Pages 3 and 4 of the I-20) after writing "D/S" on Page 3 and the lower half of I-94, which he just attached to your passport. (D/S means Duration of Status...which means that you are permitted to stay in the US till you meet the requirements of being a STUDENT in US. In case the officer doesn't staple the I-94 to your passport, take care to preserve it safely, since it is one of the single most important document for you while in US.
Without either, the lower half of I-94 duly stamped and attached to your passport OR your I-20 not stamped as described above, you are virtually not legal in US. And it will create a HELL lot of other problems. Also, if you have any doubts, talk with the INS officer politely.
INS clearance is a very simple and straightforward process. Just be your normal self, cool, calm and composed.
You are now in the USA !
Keep the contact address of International office at UTA with you in case if you face any problem :
International Office (open Monday - Friday 8.00 AM to 5 P.M.)
University Center, University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas - 76019.
Phone : 817 272 2355
Fax : 817 272 5005
Baggage Claim
Once the INS admits you by completing the above procedure, you will next be walking to the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA to pick up the two big bags that you had checked. Just before landing, the airline will intimate the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA no. Remember it so that you can walk straight to the area. You will have other fellow passengers on the flight who will also be walking to the same area. The flight number will be displayed on the TV monitors where your baggage is being unloaded for you to claim it.
You will require a trolley to handle your luggage now. The trolley is FREE at some airports, while at some other airports, they charge about 3 dollars. So, keep the dollars handy, and get the trolley by paying. Usually, you will be handling your own baggage, but if you hire someone to handle it for you, you usually pay a tip of about 1 to 2 dollars.
Just in case, your baggage doesn't arrive. DON'T PANIC. It happens sometimes. Wait until the last piece of baggage has arrived. They will declare it when the entire flight's luggage is out to the claim area. Even after that if you don't get your baggage, instructions will be available on how to lodge a complaint with the airline about your lost baggage. Complete the procedure and then walk out of the customs area along with your handbag. Give them a forwarding address and phone number (which you will get in our mail) where you can be reached. The airlines will take care of the rest. We can later on follow up over phone, and things will be sorted out in due course of time. So, don't panic, or worry that you have to catch the next plane from to Dallas. Take your time, and finish off the procedure properly.
Only then do you walk towards the next step, which is CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
Customs Clearance
Next, you will walk through the Customs Clearance. Here, you will simply walk through a passage along with your baggage trolley and hand over the Customs Declaration Form 6059B to an Officer. Usually, nobody will ask you anything. Sometimes, they randomly stop a person, and ask a question or two. If asked about the "theplas" tell them that they are "dried Indian spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry. Answer truthfully, whatever they ask. Sometimes, if they find it suspicious, they might throw out something of your luggage. Let them do whatever they want to do, but do try to explain reasonably that whatever is being thrown out is some eatable. You won't have any problems in this area. Its pretty simple, just walk through to get your first breath of air in the US.
Connecting Flights
If you will be continuing your journey by air, check in at the appropriate airline counter as soon as you are through customs. In most airports, you might have to change terminals to board your connecting flight. Please ask the airline representative at the counter about changing terminals. You might have to use the Airport Transport System to do so. These counters are right outside the customs area, usually. In case your flight came in late, or the onward flight is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the airline on which you flew into the country, to make arrangements for another flight and if the delay involves an overnight stay, then the airline has to put you up for the night and also pay for your meals. Do not let the airline representative convince you otherwise.
Note : Please Don't Panic if it so happens that your flight arrives late and the time for the connecting flight is too near (say, within the next 10-15 minutes) for you to make it due to Immigration and Customs delays. Simply follow the same actions outlined above and get your airline to arrange things for you. Don't be rude, but be firm while dealing with the airline representatives.
If a representative from the airline on which you will be traveling is outside the customs area, tell him/her that you are taking the plane to Dallas. (Many times he/she will telephone ahead and the plane will be held for a few minutes for you.)
Note : Don't forget to inform the person who is coming to pick you up to Dallas (DFW) airport regarding the missed flight and information about the next flight. Leave a detailed message in the answering machine if person is not available on the phone. Public telephones are located every where on the airport. A phone call requires 25/35/50 cents so keep some change with you. So sure you get change in American Dollars at port of entry if you have not got it from India. All Port of Entries to United States have a foreign exchange counter where you can get $$$. Five or One Dollar Bills can be changed in a changing machine or you can ask any one for change at the terminal. Even the shopkeepers inside the airport are helpful and don't mind giving you change for the payphone so don't hesitate in asking for change. You can also buy a coffee or soft drink with a dollar bill and get change.
Sometime before landing of your flight to USA, you will be asked to fill up two documents,
** White Colored I-94 Immigration Arrival/Departure Record Form :
You have to fill up both, the Arrival AND Departure Section of the I-94. (i.e item nos. 1 through 17 on the I-94 form) If you have any doubts regarding filling in that form, do not hesitate to contact the Air-hostess. She will help you fill it out. That's the form which will be honored by the INS and allow you to enter the US. Its not at all complicated, its a pretty simple form.
Immigration Form I-94 is kept herewith for your reference.........Click Here to view it.
** Customs Declaration Form 6059B:
You DO NOT have to pay any customs duty. So, fill up the form accordingly. NOTE that the amount will have to be declared in US Dollars. The form will also ask you to declare if you are carrying any fruits, plants, soil, etc. Say NO to the question. And don't carry any fruits. Eatables will be allowed in, don't worry about it. But pack them properly. All of us bring spices, pickles (athanas), papad, etc...so, DO NOT DECLARE THOSE.
Customs Declaration Form 6059B is kept here for your reference.........Click Here to view it.
Check NO on point numbers 11, 12 and 13 and in point 14 indicate "•O•" which means that you have nothing to declare.
Here too, you can take the help of the Air hostess, in case you have any doubts regarding filling in the Customs Declaration Form.
Immigration
Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter - rush for them to beat the queue. It might take 0.5-1 hour here. Keep the I-20 (all pages), Passport/Visa, evidence of financial support and admission & aid letters ready. You will require it to present it to INS before you get your two big bags back from the airport. So, don't ever commit the mistake of putting your I-20, evidence of financial support and passport/visa in the luggage that you check in with the airline. BIG TROUBLE, otherwise....
The officer will ask you to show your I-20, passport, visa and the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record card, that you just filled up in the flight. Usually, they won't ask for the evidence of financial support, still it is advisable to keep it handy. Carry only the latest I-20 with you, valid for this Fall. Put all other non-important papers away.
The officer may ask you trivial questions like - is this your first time in the US ? Student ? F-1 visa ? Which Univ you are going to ?? what major ?? etc.
Tell all that is listed on the I-20. Don't speak anything stupid like you might go to UTD, or might do EE or anything which is not required.
YOU ARE GOING TO UTA AND DOING CSE. That's it.
Say as per the I-20. Otherwise, you might just end up spending more time with the officer.
The officer will do the following: (MOST IMPORTANT)
He will stamp the date and city of arrival (e.g. CHICAGO) on Page 3 your I-20
He will detach the lower half (Departure Record) of I-94, stamp the date and city of arrival on the lower half of I-94 and attach it to your passport on the page opposite to your US visa.
The INS will keep one copy of the I-20 and enter your Arrival record into the computer.
The INS officer will then return the other copy (Pages 3 and 4 of the I-20) after writing "D/S" on Page 3 and the lower half of I-94, which he just attached to your passport. (D/S means Duration of Status...which means that you are permitted to stay in the US till you meet the requirements of being a STUDENT in US. In case the officer doesn't staple the I-94 to your passport, take care to preserve it safely, since it is one of the single most important document for you while in US.
Without either, the lower half of I-94 duly stamped and attached to your passport OR your I-20 not stamped as described above, you are virtually not legal in US. And it will create a HELL lot of other problems. Also, if you have any doubts, talk with the INS officer politely.
INS clearance is a very simple and straightforward process. Just be your normal self, cool, calm and composed.
You are now in the USA !
Keep the contact address of International office at UTA with you in case if you face any problem :
International Office (open Monday - Friday 8.00 AM to 5 P.M.)
University Center, University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas - 76019.
Phone : 817 272 2355
Fax : 817 272 5005
Baggage Claim
Once the INS admits you by completing the above procedure, you will next be walking to the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA to pick up the two big bags that you had checked. Just before landing, the airline will intimate the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA no. Remember it so that you can walk straight to the area. You will have other fellow passengers on the flight who will also be walking to the same area. The flight number will be displayed on the TV monitors where your baggage is being unloaded for you to claim it.
You will require a trolley to handle your luggage now. The trolley is FREE at some airports, while at some other airports, they charge about 3 dollars. So, keep the dollars handy, and get the trolley by paying. Usually, you will be handling your own baggage, but if you hire someone to handle it for you, you usually pay a tip of about 1 to 2 dollars.
Just in case, your baggage doesn't arrive. DON'T PANIC. It happens sometimes. Wait until the last piece of baggage has arrived. They will declare it when the entire flight's luggage is out to the claim area. Even after that if you don't get your baggage, instructions will be available on how to lodge a complaint with the airline about your lost baggage. Complete the procedure and then walk out of the customs area along with your handbag. Give them a forwarding address and phone number (which you will get in our mail) where you can be reached. The airlines will take care of the rest. We can later on follow up over phone, and things will be sorted out in due course of time. So, don't panic, or worry that you have to catch the next plane from to Dallas. Take your time, and finish off the procedure properly.
Only then do you walk towards the next step, which is CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
Customs Clearance
Next, you will walk through the Customs Clearance. Here, you will simply walk through a passage along with your baggage trolley and hand over the Customs Declaration Form 6059B to an Officer. Usually, nobody will ask you anything. Sometimes, they randomly stop a person, and ask a question or two. If asked about the "theplas" tell them that they are "dried Indian spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry. Answer truthfully, whatever they ask. Sometimes, if they find it suspicious, they might throw out something of your luggage. Let them do whatever they want to do, but do try to explain reasonably that whatever is being thrown out is some eatable. You won't have any problems in this area. Its pretty simple, just walk through to get your first breath of air in the US.
Connecting Flights
If you will be continuing your journey by air, check in at the appropriate airline counter as soon as you are through customs. In most airports, you might have to change terminals to board your connecting flight. Please ask the airline representative at the counter about changing terminals. You might have to use the Airport Transport System to do so. These counters are right outside the customs area, usually. In case your flight came in late, or the onward flight is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the airline on which you flew into the country, to make arrangements for another flight and if the delay involves an overnight stay, then the airline has to put you up for the night and also pay for your meals. Do not let the airline representative convince you otherwise.
Note : Please Don't Panic if it so happens that your flight arrives late and the time for the connecting flight is too near (say, within the next 10-15 minutes) for you to make it due to Immigration and Customs delays. Simply follow the same actions outlined above and get your airline to arrange things for you. Don't be rude, but be firm while dealing with the airline representatives.
If a representative from the airline on which you will be traveling is outside the customs area, tell him/her that you are taking the plane to Dallas. (Many times he/she will telephone ahead and the plane will be held for a few minutes for you.)
Note : Don't forget to inform the person who is coming to pick you up to Dallas (DFW) airport regarding the missed flight and information about the next flight. Leave a detailed message in the answering machine if person is not available on the phone. Public telephones are located every where on the airport. A phone call requires 25/35/50 cents so keep some change with you. So sure you get change in American Dollars at port of entry if you have not got it from India. All Port of Entries to United States have a foreign exchange counter where you can get $$$. Five or One Dollar Bills can be changed in a changing machine or you can ask any one for change at the terminal. Even the shopkeepers inside the airport are helpful and don't mind giving you change for the payphone so don't hesitate in asking for change. You can also buy a coffee or soft drink with a dollar bill and get change.
Pre-Departure
Packing
• Start your packing well in advance
• Buy two good bags (samsonite is a good choice but bit costly)- they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling.
• They should be as large as possible within the size limitations
• Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the bags (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).
Note: you can buy one semi hard and one soft luggage. Stuff all your dress in soft luggage and keep all kitchen set and other food items in the semi hard luggage.
Don’t buy hard luggage since it will weigh heavier then soft and semi hard luggage.
Box specifications
• Check your airlines website and confirm your baggage size specification
• Please try not to exceed these specification limits (it avoids unnecessary confusion in airport )
Things to be kept in the bags
• Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
• Important apping materials (transcripts, resume, SOP, reco etc)
• Necessary books/notebooks [note: there should be no legal hassles taking Xerox copies of book]
• Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
• Some stationery and related items
• Medical history file
• 1 pair chappals
• soap (bath), toothbrushes etc
• DVD/ CD's
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
• some medicines (including for air-sickness)
• novel/magazines/books to kill time in flight
• mint, chewing gum, something to munch (of course they will feed you in flight)
• sweater
• original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
• enough money (little cash, travelers’ checks)
• address book/phone book (Indian & US)
• copies of your photo (passport size)
• enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
• things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
(two sets of clothes, valuables like calculator, addresses, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
Things to be kept on person
• shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
• receipt got along with travelers’ checks - in case you lose the TC's
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)
• Your tailoring measurements
• Power of attorney - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
• confirm your flight tickets and meal preferences (imp. for veggis).
• 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
On the day of the flight * in-flight + later
• since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (or you can wear clothes which r really heavy. So if you wear them then u save some pounds off your luggage). Wear your shoes - inflight you can remove them (some airlines give inflight shoes - else relax in socks)
• be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
• collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
• relax during flight, sleep as much as possible or enjoy movies on screen
• for vegetarians - watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. Veg. food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. (Before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't hesitate to ask questions.
• once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India.
• Start your packing well in advance
• Buy two good bags (samsonite is a good choice but bit costly)- they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling.
• They should be as large as possible within the size limitations
• Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the bags (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels).
Note: you can buy one semi hard and one soft luggage. Stuff all your dress in soft luggage and keep all kitchen set and other food items in the semi hard luggage.
Don’t buy hard luggage since it will weigh heavier then soft and semi hard luggage.
Box specifications
• Check your airlines website and confirm your baggage size specification
• Please try not to exceed these specification limits (it avoids unnecessary confusion in airport )
Things to be kept in the bags
• Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
• Important apping materials (transcripts, resume, SOP, reco etc)
• Necessary books/notebooks [note: there should be no legal hassles taking Xerox copies of book]
• Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
• Some stationery and related items
• Medical history file
• 1 pair chappals
• soap (bath), toothbrushes etc
• DVD/ CD's
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
• some medicines (including for air-sickness)
• novel/magazines/books to kill time in flight
• mint, chewing gum, something to munch (of course they will feed you in flight)
• sweater
• original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
• enough money (little cash, travelers’ checks)
• address book/phone book (Indian & US)
• copies of your photo (passport size)
• enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
• things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
(two sets of clothes, valuables like calculator, addresses, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)
Things to be kept on person
• shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
• receipt got along with travelers’ checks - in case you lose the TC's
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)
• Your tailoring measurements
• Power of attorney - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
• confirm your flight tickets and meal preferences (imp. for veggis).
• 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
On the day of the flight * in-flight + later
• since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (or you can wear clothes which r really heavy. So if you wear them then u save some pounds off your luggage). Wear your shoes - inflight you can remove them (some airlines give inflight shoes - else relax in socks)
• be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
• collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
• relax during flight, sleep as much as possible or enjoy movies on screen
• for vegetarians - watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. Veg. food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. (Before ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't hesitate to ask questions.
• once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from India.
International Driver's License & ECNR
International Driver's License
Be sure that you get your International Driver's Permit License.
In case, you don't know to drive a car, Learn to Drive it.
It will save you a lot of dollars because sooner or later you will be required to drive one, and learning to drive a car in US is a very costly proposition. Plus you might have to request other students for favor, which is best avoided, if you can help it.
So, start taking driving lessons, and DO GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT.
International Driving permit is valid for 1 year over here in Texas. Though you will have to obtain an in-state American license eventually , an IDP will soon make you functional on the road. The international driving permit is easily available from your local RTO Office by showing your flight tickits Xerox copy, passport and your original drivers license.
Check your local RTO Office for details.
Note : Both IDP document and the driving license of India are essencial for driving car over here. So don’t forget to bring the car license of India too along with your IDP.
Emigration Clearance Not Required - ECNR
Note : Getting ECNR done is advisable but not necessary, so do it only if you have enough time left.
Get this after the visa from passport office.
You can get this from a venue other than the place of issue of the passport - by showing that your place of residence falls in the jurisdiction of that passport office (It might take some time, and pain)
In Ahmedabad, the passport office is located opposite to L. D. College of Engineering.
Take the following things with you -
a) Passport
b) ECNR (Emigration Clearance Not Required) form duely filled up.
c) Original of the Degree Certificate / Provisional Certificate (PC) - to show
d) Xerox copy of the PC
Be sure that you get your International Driver's Permit License.
In case, you don't know to drive a car, Learn to Drive it.
It will save you a lot of dollars because sooner or later you will be required to drive one, and learning to drive a car in US is a very costly proposition. Plus you might have to request other students for favor, which is best avoided, if you can help it.
So, start taking driving lessons, and DO GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT.
International Driving permit is valid for 1 year over here in Texas. Though you will have to obtain an in-state American license eventually , an IDP will soon make you functional on the road. The international driving permit is easily available from your local RTO Office by showing your flight tickits Xerox copy, passport and your original drivers license.
Check your local RTO Office for details.
Note : Both IDP document and the driving license of India are essencial for driving car over here. So don’t forget to bring the car license of India too along with your IDP.
Emigration Clearance Not Required - ECNR
Note : Getting ECNR done is advisable but not necessary, so do it only if you have enough time left.
Get this after the visa from passport office.
You can get this from a venue other than the place of issue of the passport - by showing that your place of residence falls in the jurisdiction of that passport office (It might take some time, and pain)
In Ahmedabad, the passport office is located opposite to L. D. College of Engineering.
Take the following things with you -
a) Passport
b) ECNR (Emigration Clearance Not Required) form duely filled up.
c) Original of the Degree Certificate / Provisional Certificate (PC) - to show
d) Xerox copy of the PC
Money
The initial expenses are high like you need to pay deposit for your apartment and/or utilities and telephone, etc.
Below is an estimate of how much money you might need.
Expenses :
(1) WORST CASE SCENARIO :
Tuition : 6000 dollars per Semester for 3 courses ==> 12000 dollars per annum for 3 courses x 2 semesters
(Assuming you don't have any financial aid which qualifies you for instate tuition)
Other Expenses : 300 dollars per month = 3600 dollars per annum
(Assuming you share an apartment with two other guys (~$150 per person) , your phone bills do not exceed 60 dollars per month, rest is groceries and other expences....)
So, in total, you would be spending about 15,600 dollars per year, in the worst case scenario.
(2) BETTER CASE SCENARIO:
Case (a)- ONLY ONCAMPUS JOB
If you get an oncampus job, you will be earning something like 400~800 dollars per month, making your annual earnings to 5000 dollars.
So, you will be shelling out something like 10000 dollars from your own pocket in that case.
Case (b) - ONCAMPUS JOB + SCHOLARSHIP
If you get financial aid (Scholarship), your tuition will be something like 3000 dollars for 3 courses per semester.
That will make it 6000 dollars of tuition fees per year for two semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 12000 we considered earlier.
Here your total expenses for the year will now be 6000 + 3600 = 8100 dollars....and if you are working on campus, you will still be earning 5000 dollars annually yourself.
So, your budget deficit will now be around 3000 dollars or even less, instead of 10000 we considered earlier.
(3) BEST CASE SCENARIO: RA OR TA (ASSISTANTSHIP)
If you get a RA or TA, your tuition will be something like 3000 dollars for 3 courses per semester.
Assuming that your RA/TAship does not continue in summer and you prefer not to take courses in summer, will make it 3600 dollars of tuition fees per year for two semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 9000 we considered earlier.
Here your total expenses for the year will now be 3600 + 3600 = 7200 dollars....and you will also be paid something like 750 dollars per month (appx) as a RA or TA, so you will be earning 6750 dollars annually if you exclude summer.
So, you will enjoy your summer break but you will have to stretch a little bit to meet your own expenses by adding few hundred bucks out of your pocket.
If your RA/TAship is continuted in summer then you are required to take minimum two summer courses and your total fees would be $3600 + $1300 (for summer) = $4900 and your total expense would be $8500. But you will also be earning extra in summer RA/TAship where you will earn around $9000 annually.
Thus, you will end up saving some 500 bucks but will loose your summer fun.
NOTE : We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you to consider the WORST CASE SCENARIO for the first semester. But every one gets a job by the end of first semester and that makes things easier so don’t worry.
How to take your money to the US
When you travel to the US, you need to carry money for on-the-way expenses, for the initial expenses of renting an apartment, buying stuff for it, for paying your college fees etc.
$ 6000 in demand draft in the name of “The University of Texas at Arlington”
$ 300-500 in Cash, for small change and minor problems while travelling.
$ 3000 in Travelers Cheque (please get the bulk amount in 500$ TC and rest in 100$ TC).
You can also use traveler’s card issued by ICICI bank. It is very similar to a debit card. Here you will need your admission letter, I-20, passport & confirmed ticket.
For getting DD, it is best to look around. Ask 2-3 banks and see who has the cheapest rate. Most banks only made international DDs for account holders, though. If your bank does not offer DD services, then go to Thomas Cook. But use this as a last resort: their exchange rates are usually higher than a bank's. if you are getting loan from any bank they will issue the dd.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are pretty useful, almost compulsory to have for shopping convenience, burglary, mugging situations etc. in the US.
All major banks in India have started offering an International Credit Card in India since June 1999. So its good to get one add on card of your parents card from India and keep it with you, but be extremely cautious in its use because your parents have to pay the bill in Indian rupees back home.
Make sure to check RBI regulation of use of Indian Credit Cards abroad.
Below is an estimate of how much money you might need.
Expenses :
(1) WORST CASE SCENARIO :
Tuition : 6000 dollars per Semester for 3 courses ==> 12000 dollars per annum for 3 courses x 2 semesters
(Assuming you don't have any financial aid which qualifies you for instate tuition)
Other Expenses : 300 dollars per month = 3600 dollars per annum
(Assuming you share an apartment with two other guys (~$150 per person) , your phone bills do not exceed 60 dollars per month, rest is groceries and other expences....)
So, in total, you would be spending about 15,600 dollars per year, in the worst case scenario.
(2) BETTER CASE SCENARIO:
Case (a)- ONLY ONCAMPUS JOB
If you get an oncampus job, you will be earning something like 400~800 dollars per month, making your annual earnings to 5000 dollars.
So, you will be shelling out something like 10000 dollars from your own pocket in that case.
Case (b) - ONCAMPUS JOB + SCHOLARSHIP
If you get financial aid (Scholarship), your tuition will be something like 3000 dollars for 3 courses per semester.
That will make it 6000 dollars of tuition fees per year for two semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 12000 we considered earlier.
Here your total expenses for the year will now be 6000 + 3600 = 8100 dollars....and if you are working on campus, you will still be earning 5000 dollars annually yourself.
So, your budget deficit will now be around 3000 dollars or even less, instead of 10000 we considered earlier.
(3) BEST CASE SCENARIO: RA OR TA (ASSISTANTSHIP)
If you get a RA or TA, your tuition will be something like 3000 dollars for 3 courses per semester.
Assuming that your RA/TAship does not continue in summer and you prefer not to take courses in summer, will make it 3600 dollars of tuition fees per year for two semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 9000 we considered earlier.
Here your total expenses for the year will now be 3600 + 3600 = 7200 dollars....and you will also be paid something like 750 dollars per month (appx) as a RA or TA, so you will be earning 6750 dollars annually if you exclude summer.
So, you will enjoy your summer break but you will have to stretch a little bit to meet your own expenses by adding few hundred bucks out of your pocket.
If your RA/TAship is continuted in summer then you are required to take minimum two summer courses and your total fees would be $3600 + $1300 (for summer) = $4900 and your total expense would be $8500. But you will also be earning extra in summer RA/TAship where you will earn around $9000 annually.
Thus, you will end up saving some 500 bucks but will loose your summer fun.
NOTE : We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you to consider the WORST CASE SCENARIO for the first semester. But every one gets a job by the end of first semester and that makes things easier so don’t worry.
How to take your money to the US
When you travel to the US, you need to carry money for on-the-way expenses, for the initial expenses of renting an apartment, buying stuff for it, for paying your college fees etc.
$ 6000 in demand draft in the name of “The University of Texas at Arlington”
$ 300-500 in Cash, for small change and minor problems while travelling.
$ 3000 in Travelers Cheque (please get the bulk amount in 500$ TC and rest in 100$ TC).
You can also use traveler’s card issued by ICICI bank. It is very similar to a debit card. Here you will need your admission letter, I-20, passport & confirmed ticket.
For getting DD, it is best to look around. Ask 2-3 banks and see who has the cheapest rate. Most banks only made international DDs for account holders, though. If your bank does not offer DD services, then go to Thomas Cook. But use this as a last resort: their exchange rates are usually higher than a bank's. if you are getting loan from any bank they will issue the dd.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are pretty useful, almost compulsory to have for shopping convenience, burglary, mugging situations etc. in the US.
All major banks in India have started offering an International Credit Card in India since June 1999. So its good to get one add on card of your parents card from India and keep it with you, but be extremely cautious in its use because your parents have to pay the bill in Indian rupees back home.
Make sure to check RBI regulation of use of Indian Credit Cards abroad.
Insurance and Air ticket
INSURANCE
Well till you get your insurance over here in USA it is advisable to get an oversees insurance right from India for a month or so.
Companies like Bajaj Alliance offers complete international student insurance package with baggage loss, passport loss and medical insurance.
Easiest way is to ask your travel agent to book you travel insurance along with your tickets.
Get oversees insurance for duration of at least a month. It costs around Rs.1100
Air Tickets
The Destination Airport for Coming to UTA is : Dallas-Fort worth International Airport
Airport Code : DFW
Give this airport code and name to your travel agent to block your ticket. As I've come to point of blocking flight tickets let me tell you that you don't have to pay any thing for blocking a ticket. It is free of cost (may include refundable deposit).
We have seen lot of students losing baggage(you will get it back in a day or two), miss flights when they change airlines or land in different port of entry and then travel to DFW.So we STRONGLY Recommend you to take a direct flight to Dallas Fort worth Airport (DFW) meaning get the port of entry as Dallas Fort worth Airport (DFW) so you don't have change flights in between and save yourself from any complications in between.
Generally it is the case that you will reach here the same day that you fly out from India. for e.g. if you take a 3rd August, 3:00 am night IST flight from India, you will be reaching US sometime in the afternoon around 4:00 pm US Time on the same date. i.e. 3rd August, 2003.
So, plan your trip to reach here accordingly, taking into consideration the availability and convenience of the person who is coming to receive you at DFW airport. Try to get the air tickets for flights reaching Dallas (DFW) on Saturdays/ Sundays for convenience of person to pick you up.
Note : Before you buy your Airline Ticket, Do the Following :
• Block flights with many travel agents on different airline carriers for the dates of your choice.
• Decide the travel agent and the airline which fits your budget. Make sure the Travel Agent is good.
• Prefer to fly by airline where you can earn miles (e.g. Air India doesn't) and gives you good service (since you might be coming to U.S.A. for first time and want things to be smooth) as well as is reasonable. Do remember that few airline like Lufthansa even offers you Jain-Indian food. Don't care if the airline allows three baggage for students. Cause ultimately you may have to pay for extra baggage to the local US Airline if your flight is not direct to DFW.
BEFORE BUYING YOUR TICKET:
Please go to the airlines' website. Register yourself with that airline and get a Frequent Fliers' Account Number.
Thereafter, when you ask your agent to book your ticket, and GIVE HIM your FREQUENT FLIER NO. ASK HIM TO PUT IT ON THE TICKET, IF POSSIBLE.
ALSO ASK FOR "SABRE" Code OR Booking code OR Reservation Code OR Confirmation Code (whatever they may call it) from your agent. The code is a 6 letter alphanumeric code. For e.g. your code could be AX4T7D. That will help you check your reservation status and itinerary online. You can check your itinerary and the status of your ticket (Confirmed or Waitlisted) on
http://www.virtuallythere.com
by giving your last name; and the Reservation Code given by your agent in the "Access My Trip" Section on the Left Hand Side of the Website mentioned above.
Once the website shows that your tickets are confirmed and you are satisfied about your itinerary, you can give your Frequent Flier No. and pay the agent, and ask for your paper ticket. Make sure you ask your travel agent to mention Asian-Vegetarian OR Indian-Vegetarian Food along with your ticket on the reservation if you don't eat Non-Vegetarian Food else you will die hungry sitting over 24 hours in plane.
At the time of Airport Check-In, to be sure that you get the miles that you are flying, when you check in your luggage with the Airline to get your boarding pass, give your frequent flier miles no. to the airline representative who checks in your luggage and issues a boarding pass.
On getting the boarding Pass, Check that the Frequent Flier No. appears on your Boarding Pass. If you can't find it, ask the Airline Representative to show it to you.
Most of the students who fly out for the first time to US miss out on getting the valuable frequent flier miles, which accumulate to eventually qualify you for a free ticket...so, I hope this tips will help you in getting your miles.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF YOU BUY YOUR TICKET BEFORE OPENING YOUR FREQUENT FLIER MILES ACCOUNT WITH THE AIRLINE, you WILL NOT get the MILES. So, be sure to open your account online before buying your ticket.
Well till you get your insurance over here in USA it is advisable to get an oversees insurance right from India for a month or so.
Companies like Bajaj Alliance offers complete international student insurance package with baggage loss, passport loss and medical insurance.
Easiest way is to ask your travel agent to book you travel insurance along with your tickets.
Get oversees insurance for duration of at least a month. It costs around Rs.1100
Air Tickets
The Destination Airport for Coming to UTA is : Dallas-Fort worth International Airport
Airport Code : DFW
Give this airport code and name to your travel agent to block your ticket. As I've come to point of blocking flight tickets let me tell you that you don't have to pay any thing for blocking a ticket. It is free of cost (may include refundable deposit).
We have seen lot of students losing baggage(you will get it back in a day or two), miss flights when they change airlines or land in different port of entry and then travel to DFW.So we STRONGLY Recommend you to take a direct flight to Dallas Fort worth Airport (DFW) meaning get the port of entry as Dallas Fort worth Airport (DFW) so you don't have change flights in between and save yourself from any complications in between.
Generally it is the case that you will reach here the same day that you fly out from India. for e.g. if you take a 3rd August, 3:00 am night IST flight from India, you will be reaching US sometime in the afternoon around 4:00 pm US Time on the same date. i.e. 3rd August, 2003.
So, plan your trip to reach here accordingly, taking into consideration the availability and convenience of the person who is coming to receive you at DFW airport. Try to get the air tickets for flights reaching Dallas (DFW) on Saturdays/ Sundays for convenience of person to pick you up.
Note : Before you buy your Airline Ticket, Do the Following :
• Block flights with many travel agents on different airline carriers for the dates of your choice.
• Decide the travel agent and the airline which fits your budget. Make sure the Travel Agent is good.
• Prefer to fly by airline where you can earn miles (e.g. Air India doesn't) and gives you good service (since you might be coming to U.S.A. for first time and want things to be smooth) as well as is reasonable. Do remember that few airline like Lufthansa even offers you Jain-Indian food. Don't care if the airline allows three baggage for students. Cause ultimately you may have to pay for extra baggage to the local US Airline if your flight is not direct to DFW.
BEFORE BUYING YOUR TICKET:
Please go to the airlines' website. Register yourself with that airline and get a Frequent Fliers' Account Number.
Thereafter, when you ask your agent to book your ticket, and GIVE HIM your FREQUENT FLIER NO. ASK HIM TO PUT IT ON THE TICKET, IF POSSIBLE.
ALSO ASK FOR "SABRE" Code OR Booking code OR Reservation Code OR Confirmation Code (whatever they may call it) from your agent. The code is a 6 letter alphanumeric code. For e.g. your code could be AX4T7D. That will help you check your reservation status and itinerary online. You can check your itinerary and the status of your ticket (Confirmed or Waitlisted) on
http://www.virtuallythere.com
by giving your last name; and the Reservation Code given by your agent in the "Access My Trip" Section on the Left Hand Side of the Website mentioned above.
Once the website shows that your tickets are confirmed and you are satisfied about your itinerary, you can give your Frequent Flier No. and pay the agent, and ask for your paper ticket. Make sure you ask your travel agent to mention Asian-Vegetarian OR Indian-Vegetarian Food along with your ticket on the reservation if you don't eat Non-Vegetarian Food else you will die hungry sitting over 24 hours in plane.
At the time of Airport Check-In, to be sure that you get the miles that you are flying, when you check in your luggage with the Airline to get your boarding pass, give your frequent flier miles no. to the airline representative who checks in your luggage and issues a boarding pass.
On getting the boarding Pass, Check that the Frequent Flier No. appears on your Boarding Pass. If you can't find it, ask the Airline Representative to show it to you.
Most of the students who fly out for the first time to US miss out on getting the valuable frequent flier miles, which accumulate to eventually qualify you for a free ticket...so, I hope this tips will help you in getting your miles.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF YOU BUY YOUR TICKET BEFORE OPENING YOUR FREQUENT FLIER MILES ACCOUNT WITH THE AIRLINE, you WILL NOT get the MILES. So, be sure to open your account online before buying your ticket.
HOUSING
HOUSING:
Once you reach here, you will be provided temporary accommodation with some existing students. Then you have three ways to go about
• End of each semester some students will graduate out. So there will be vacancies in apartments they lived. So you can move into these apartments if you are willing to stay with already existing people in this apartment. This option is a good option since everything would be set in house and you don’t have to spend money initially to set up your house.
• If you have already booked an on campus housing through UTA housing website and if they have given you a move in date, then you can shift to the on campus apartment. If you have not received any move in date you can come here and check your waiting list position with the housing department and query them how soon you will get the apartment. If you might get the apartment within a month then you might stay in the temporary accommodation till that period and then move out to the on campus apartment.
• If you have not got any on campus apartment then you can try to lease an off campus apartment. They are many off campus apartments just adjacent to the on campus apartments. Generally students stay in off campus apartment for a semester and they move into the on campus apartment.
The difference between these two types of accommodation being, On-Campus are owned and operated by the University Housing Department and the Off-Campus are not.
You can book an on-campus apartment from India – http://www.uta.edu/housing
For On-Campus apartment and related information, visit the UTA web page for Housing for more details. The On-Campus accommodation can be either in the form of an apartment or in the form of a dorm. Please note that if you select the dorm option then you cannot cook food in the rooms and have to take the University offered Meal Plan, by default, which is quite expensive and unaffordable for most of the students.
It is advisable that you register for an On-Campus accommodation when you are in India through the web facility provided by the University's Housing department. The best ones (in terms of more space, less monthly rent and convenience) to register are Legacy heights,Maples Square, Forest Glen, Garden Club, Shady Park, Copper Chase, Border Trail – Apartments closer to engineering building.
As far as the Off campus apartments are concerned, you have to come here and look. We normally go for On-Campus accommodation as they offer some advantages like less deposit money ($150) and things like that. But in view of the scarcity, the aforesaid Off-Campus options can also be good and can be sought after you are here.
A note of caution being try to sign the lease for not more than 6 months when looking for a Off-campus accommodation, which gives you the flexibility to move out, if you get an On-Campus apartment sooner.
Once you reach here, you will be provided temporary accommodation with some existing students. Then you have three ways to go about
• End of each semester some students will graduate out. So there will be vacancies in apartments they lived. So you can move into these apartments if you are willing to stay with already existing people in this apartment. This option is a good option since everything would be set in house and you don’t have to spend money initially to set up your house.
• If you have already booked an on campus housing through UTA housing website and if they have given you a move in date, then you can shift to the on campus apartment. If you have not received any move in date you can come here and check your waiting list position with the housing department and query them how soon you will get the apartment. If you might get the apartment within a month then you might stay in the temporary accommodation till that period and then move out to the on campus apartment.
• If you have not got any on campus apartment then you can try to lease an off campus apartment. They are many off campus apartments just adjacent to the on campus apartments. Generally students stay in off campus apartment for a semester and they move into the on campus apartment.
The difference between these two types of accommodation being, On-Campus are owned and operated by the University Housing Department and the Off-Campus are not.
You can book an on-campus apartment from India – http://www.uta.edu/housing
For On-Campus apartment and related information, visit the UTA web page for Housing for more details. The On-Campus accommodation can be either in the form of an apartment or in the form of a dorm. Please note that if you select the dorm option then you cannot cook food in the rooms and have to take the University offered Meal Plan, by default, which is quite expensive and unaffordable for most of the students.
It is advisable that you register for an On-Campus accommodation when you are in India through the web facility provided by the University's Housing department. The best ones (in terms of more space, less monthly rent and convenience) to register are Legacy heights,Maples Square, Forest Glen, Garden Club, Shady Park, Copper Chase, Border Trail – Apartments closer to engineering building.
As far as the Off campus apartments are concerned, you have to come here and look. We normally go for On-Campus accommodation as they offer some advantages like less deposit money ($150) and things like that. But in view of the scarcity, the aforesaid Off-Campus options can also be good and can be sought after you are here.
A note of caution being try to sign the lease for not more than 6 months when looking for a Off-campus accommodation, which gives you the flexibility to move out, if you get an On-Campus apartment sooner.
Kitchen
Before buying any kitchen set decide whether you are going to stay with seniors or you are going to live in a new apartment with you friends.
• If it’s the former please don’t waste your weight on kitchen set and food. If you r living with seniors they would already be having all stocks for the month.
• If you are planning to stay with your friends in a new apartment then try to break the kitchen set list and share the load with other roommates.
Nearby Restaurants
McDonalds(burgers)
KFC(fried chicken)
Subway(sandwich-veg food available)
Wendy’s(burgers)
Jack in the Box
Taco bell(Mexican fast food-veg food available)
Indian Biryani House
Taste of India
But it would certainly be cheaper and healthier to cook yourself.
Please dont bring any kind of doubtful/pointed stuff like kitchen knives or blades or even butter knives else you will definitely put yourself into trouble before landing yourself on the soil of United States.
Cooking Utensils :
• Non-stick pan (1),
• non-stick tawa (1),
• pressure cooker (5 litre)(get spare gaskets, safety valves and weights)
Others (Prefer Steel):
• spoons,
• cups,
• glasses (3 each),
• a melamine (microwaveable) set (Optional) consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular bowls (3 each),
• tongs,
• garni (for tea) etc.
Although, you can buy almost all kinds of Indian foodstuff here, get a reasonable quantity of the following, enough to last you for your setup period and save you some money initially.
Condiments and spices :
• garam masala,
• chole masala,
• rasam powder,
• sambhar masala,
• haldi,
• chill powder,
• jeera,
• dhania,
• asafoetida powder.
Others :
• pickles (bring them nicely sealed so that there are no spills)
• papad,
Instant Mixs :
• Sambar,Rasam
• Heat and use instant masala(rajma masala,channa masala etc)
• Mixes which can be used as gravies and used to mix with rice( like bisebella,biryani mix,tomata rice mix,pulliyotharai mix etc)
• Instant noodles and pastas
Bevrages :
• Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (a months stock enough)
Note: Please pack everything to be leak-proof.
DO NOT get any fresh fruits or meat.
Marts:
• Walmart(everything is cheap here compared to other stores…but its quite far off from campus so either u should ask your seniors to drive you there or use university shuttle which operates only on Saturday)
• All gas stations have a small shopping centre, there are 2 gas stations close to the university at walk able distance all emergency purchase can be made here.
• You can also get Indian spices and other Indian food at Dana Bazar and International food house.
Advice:
• Please learn to cook.
• Learn to cook rice and dal at least before you come at the worst case
• Tortillas(very similar to chapattis) are available as instant heat and eat food so you can manage if you know to cook one or two gravies
• Cooking is much easier here since you get cut vegetables, all kinds of paste (ginger, garlic, tomato)
• All Indian food items required for cooking is available here. So don’t load your suitcase only with food stuff.
• Bring cooking utensils only if you are planning to stay in a new apartment with your friends. If you planning to stay with seniors then contact them and then decide what utensils you have to buy.
• If it’s the former please don’t waste your weight on kitchen set and food. If you r living with seniors they would already be having all stocks for the month.
• If you are planning to stay with your friends in a new apartment then try to break the kitchen set list and share the load with other roommates.
Nearby Restaurants
McDonalds(burgers)
KFC(fried chicken)
Subway(sandwich-veg food available)
Wendy’s(burgers)
Jack in the Box
Taco bell(Mexican fast food-veg food available)
Indian Biryani House
Taste of India
But it would certainly be cheaper and healthier to cook yourself.
Please dont bring any kind of doubtful/pointed stuff like kitchen knives or blades or even butter knives else you will definitely put yourself into trouble before landing yourself on the soil of United States.
Cooking Utensils :
• Non-stick pan (1),
• non-stick tawa (1),
• pressure cooker (5 litre)(get spare gaskets, safety valves and weights)
Others (Prefer Steel):
• spoons,
• cups,
• glasses (3 each),
• a melamine (microwaveable) set (Optional) consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular bowls (3 each),
• tongs,
• garni (for tea) etc.
Although, you can buy almost all kinds of Indian foodstuff here, get a reasonable quantity of the following, enough to last you for your setup period and save you some money initially.
Condiments and spices :
• garam masala,
• chole masala,
• rasam powder,
• sambhar masala,
• haldi,
• chill powder,
• jeera,
• dhania,
• asafoetida powder.
Others :
• pickles (bring them nicely sealed so that there are no spills)
• papad,
Instant Mixs :
• Sambar,Rasam
• Heat and use instant masala(rajma masala,channa masala etc)
• Mixes which can be used as gravies and used to mix with rice( like bisebella,biryani mix,tomata rice mix,pulliyotharai mix etc)
• Instant noodles and pastas
Bevrages :
• Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (a months stock enough)
Note: Please pack everything to be leak-proof.
DO NOT get any fresh fruits or meat.
Marts:
• Walmart(everything is cheap here compared to other stores…but its quite far off from campus so either u should ask your seniors to drive you there or use university shuttle which operates only on Saturday)
• All gas stations have a small shopping centre, there are 2 gas stations close to the university at walk able distance all emergency purchase can be made here.
• You can also get Indian spices and other Indian food at Dana Bazar and International food house.
Advice:
• Please learn to cook.
• Learn to cook rice and dal at least before you come at the worst case
• Tortillas(very similar to chapattis) are available as instant heat and eat food so you can manage if you know to cook one or two gravies
• Cooking is much easier here since you get cut vegetables, all kinds of paste (ginger, garlic, tomato)
• All Indian food items required for cooking is available here. So don’t load your suitcase only with food stuff.
• Bring cooking utensils only if you are planning to stay in a new apartment with your friends. If you planning to stay with seniors then contact them and then decide what utensils you have to buy.
Personal Items
Toilette :
• Toothbrush,
• toothpaste,
• soap,
• complete shaving kit (all in a toiletry bag).
• Mach3 razor set with around 10-20 blades.
• And don't forget to bring a deo-spray (its really hot out here so you will sweat a lot).
• comb
Study Materials & Stationary :
• scientific calculator(casio fx 991 will do),
• micro tip pencils + refills (1/2),
• ball point pens with extra refills (10),
• eraser,
• stapler & staples,
• Indian calendar,
• Backpack
• (Most of the stationary is optional. You can also buy it here).
Other :
Sports equipment if you play tennis, squash, soccer.
If you want, bring your cricket bat lot of people play cricket here in parking lot.
Entertainment :
• burn all the things you had in your pc as dvd/cd(atleast all those things you need)
• movie/music dvd/cd s
• mp3 player (optional),
• your favorite books.
Personal :
• Family photos,
• An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region, photos of deities (if religious-minded)
Spectacles : If you wear spectacles,
• buy 1-2 pairs extra for sure. They cost as much as $100 per pair (minimum) in the US.
Things you should NOT Bring :
• electrical appliances - The voltage and frequency used here are different (110V/60Hz). And in any case, appliances like iron, toasters etc are very inexpensive and you can purchase them once you are settled in.
• Some other things that you might be better off buying here are blank notebooks & file folders
Phone card
If you want to call your parents once you reach here from airport , try to buy some global phone card. In India tata indicom and airtel are selling these cards
Once you settle here you can buy Reliance calling cards which is cheap and is used by every one here.
Cell phone
GSM and CDMA connections are available here, so you can bring your cell phones if you want.
But usually with any post paid connection you get a free phone.
Dont Forget to get your own
• HeadPhones with Microphones from India to use it for the voice chats online, and watch movies or hear music in the computer labs.
Books are very expensive here, so,
• find out the books that you will need for your course from us and try to get them from India. (single book costs around 150$ and second hand book costs around 50$)
• you can find the text book you need from this site http://www.bkstr.com/Home/10001-10645-1?demoKey=d
A single book might cost you more than a month's grocery bill !!
• Toothbrush,
• toothpaste,
• soap,
• complete shaving kit (all in a toiletry bag).
• Mach3 razor set with around 10-20 blades.
• And don't forget to bring a deo-spray (its really hot out here so you will sweat a lot).
• comb
Study Materials & Stationary :
• scientific calculator(casio fx 991 will do),
• micro tip pencils + refills (1/2),
• ball point pens with extra refills (10),
• eraser,
• stapler & staples,
• Indian calendar,
• Backpack
• (Most of the stationary is optional. You can also buy it here).
Other :
Sports equipment if you play tennis, squash, soccer.
If you want, bring your cricket bat lot of people play cricket here in parking lot.
Entertainment :
• burn all the things you had in your pc as dvd/cd(atleast all those things you need)
• movie/music dvd/cd s
• mp3 player (optional),
• your favorite books.
Personal :
• Family photos,
• An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region, photos of deities (if religious-minded)
Spectacles : If you wear spectacles,
• buy 1-2 pairs extra for sure. They cost as much as $100 per pair (minimum) in the US.
Things you should NOT Bring :
• electrical appliances - The voltage and frequency used here are different (110V/60Hz). And in any case, appliances like iron, toasters etc are very inexpensive and you can purchase them once you are settled in.
• Some other things that you might be better off buying here are blank notebooks & file folders
Phone card
If you want to call your parents once you reach here from airport , try to buy some global phone card. In India tata indicom and airtel are selling these cards
Once you settle here you can buy Reliance calling cards which is cheap and is used by every one here.
Cell phone
GSM and CDMA connections are available here, so you can bring your cell phones if you want.
But usually with any post paid connection you get a free phone.
Dont Forget to get your own
• HeadPhones with Microphones from India to use it for the voice chats online, and watch movies or hear music in the computer labs.
Books are very expensive here, so,
• find out the books that you will need for your course from us and try to get them from India. (single book costs around 150$ and second hand book costs around 50$)
• you can find the text book you need from this site http://www.bkstr.com/Home/10001-10645-1?demoKey=d
A single book might cost you more than a month's grocery bill !!
Medicines and Check Up
NOTE : VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIREMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON OR INS, HOWEVER UTA INTERNATIONAL OFFICE (IO) WILL WANT YOU TO HAVE TB TEST DONE OVER HERE AS PER THE IO RULES.
You will have to buy medical insurance here, but medication is very expensive here, so, get some medicines that you have used for minor ailments and any special ones that you need. Also health insurance may not cover the costs of:
• Routine Dental work
• Eye glasses
• Vision exams
• Emergency room visits for non-emergencies
So get a complete medical checkup done before getting here, including a chest X-ray. Check out following :
a) Dental
b) Fresh Body checkup, especially if you have a major ailment and get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments
(the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name)
c) Get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription.
Buy atleast one extra pair of glasses.
d) Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR)
List of medicines recommended by a Doctor.
• Crocin tablets - 3 strips (For fever, bodyaches, headache, One tablet three times a day)
• Erythrocin 500mg tablets - 2 strips (One tablet twice a day)
• Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips (One capsule twice a day)
• Actified tablets - 3 strips
• Cosovil tablets - 2 strips (For common cold & cough.One tablet three times a day.)
• Avomin tablets - 1 strip (For air sickness. One tablet if necessary.)
• Lomotil tablets - 20
• Digene tablets - 30 (For diarrhoea & stomach discomfort, One tablet of each three times a day)
• Baralgam tablets - 2 strips (For abdominal colic pain, backache, etc One tablet every six hours as necessary)
• Dorstal (?) tablets - 10 (For nausea & vomiting, One tablet three times a day)
• Electral powder - 2 packets (One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss of electrolytes after vomiting or diarrhoea)
• Novalgin tablets - 2 strips (For headache & bodyaches. One tablet)
• Stomatil tablets - 1 strip (For vertigo (giddiness) One tablet three times a day as necessary till relieved)
• Isogel (Glaxo) - 1 box (For constipation. One teaspoonful in a little of water at bedtime)
• Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips (For arthritic joint pains, One tablet three times a day after food)
• Avil tablets - 1 strip (For allergy, One tablet as necessary)
• Sepmax tablets - 1 strip (For sore-throat, One tablet twice a day after food, till relieved. NOT TO BE TAKEN WHEN ONE IS ALLERGIC TO SULFA DRUGS)
• Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube (To be applied as a pain balm)
• Band Aids assorted - 12
• Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube
You will have to buy medical insurance here, but medication is very expensive here, so, get some medicines that you have used for minor ailments and any special ones that you need. Also health insurance may not cover the costs of:
• Routine Dental work
• Eye glasses
• Vision exams
• Emergency room visits for non-emergencies
So get a complete medical checkup done before getting here, including a chest X-ray. Check out following :
a) Dental
b) Fresh Body checkup, especially if you have a major ailment and get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments
(the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name)
c) Get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription.
Buy atleast one extra pair of glasses.
d) Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR)
List of medicines recommended by a Doctor.
• Crocin tablets - 3 strips (For fever, bodyaches, headache, One tablet three times a day)
• Erythrocin 500mg tablets - 2 strips (One tablet twice a day)
• Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips (One capsule twice a day)
• Actified tablets - 3 strips
• Cosovil tablets - 2 strips (For common cold & cough.One tablet three times a day.)
• Avomin tablets - 1 strip (For air sickness. One tablet if necessary.)
• Lomotil tablets - 20
• Digene tablets - 30 (For diarrhoea & stomach discomfort, One tablet of each three times a day)
• Baralgam tablets - 2 strips (For abdominal colic pain, backache, etc One tablet every six hours as necessary)
• Dorstal (?) tablets - 10 (For nausea & vomiting, One tablet three times a day)
• Electral powder - 2 packets (One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss of electrolytes after vomiting or diarrhoea)
• Novalgin tablets - 2 strips (For headache & bodyaches. One tablet)
• Stomatil tablets - 1 strip (For vertigo (giddiness) One tablet three times a day as necessary till relieved)
• Isogel (Glaxo) - 1 box (For constipation. One teaspoonful in a little of water at bedtime)
• Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips (For arthritic joint pains, One tablet three times a day after food)
• Avil tablets - 1 strip (For allergy, One tablet as necessary)
• Sepmax tablets - 1 strip (For sore-throat, One tablet twice a day after food, till relieved. NOT TO BE TAKEN WHEN ONE IS ALLERGIC TO SULFA DRUGS)
• Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube (To be applied as a pain balm)
• Band Aids assorted - 12
• Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube
Clothing
The dress code on campus is pretty informal and a T-shirt worn with jeans is almost a universal dress for both sexes here. So, bring plenty of them. Formal clothes may come in useful occasionally.
Formals :
• One suit (Optional),
• ties (1/2),
• Black trousers(1),
• shirts and trousers (2/3),
• traditional saris/kurta(if u want)
Casuals :
• Jeans (3/4),
• T-shirts & sweats (10-15),
• cotton shirts (5),
• shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (5-7).
Arlington has hot summers (~40 C high) and mild winters (~3 C low) (relatively, of course !). So if you are coming for fall the initial one month is going to be really hot so try to bring comfortable clothing for hot weather. If you are coming for spring please try to bring some winter wear as you might feel uncomfortable with cold weather.
Winter wear
If you are coming for fall don’t waste your weight on winter wear
• good sweater(2),
• a muffler,
• a scarf and
• a woolen cap (monkey type),
• umbrella (it occasionally rains heavy here)
You might get a better coat/jacket in the US.
Footwear :
• Sneakers(if possible a black one),
• formal shoes,
• Chappals/sandals,
No matter where you stay, you'll have access to washing and drying facilities. These machines have large capacities, so that it is possible to do 2 week's laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly.
Undergarments :
• Undergarments(15) (if u bring more then u can delay your laundry……u will be usually lazy to use laundry service)
• socks, preferably cotton(5 formal ,5 sports).
Miscellaneous :
• Towel (1+),
• napkins (1/2),
• leather belts (2+),
• handkerchiefs (6+)
• swimwear
(there are many swimming pools in on/off camups appartments apart from the big one of UTA, you wont resist yourself from falling into water in summer).
Linen :
• Bed sheets (double bed size, 2),
• pillow covers (big, 2),
• shawl/light blanket (for spring/summer use).
Things you better buy in US :
• Winter jacket,
• winter gloves,
• caps,
• wind-cheaters,
• track-suits,
• good sweaters (they're cheap),
• Comforter.
Formals :
• One suit (Optional),
• ties (1/2),
• Black trousers(1),
• shirts and trousers (2/3),
• traditional saris/kurta(if u want)
Casuals :
• Jeans (3/4),
• T-shirts & sweats (10-15),
• cotton shirts (5),
• shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (5-7).
Arlington has hot summers (~40 C high) and mild winters (~3 C low) (relatively, of course !). So if you are coming for fall the initial one month is going to be really hot so try to bring comfortable clothing for hot weather. If you are coming for spring please try to bring some winter wear as you might feel uncomfortable with cold weather.
Winter wear
If you are coming for fall don’t waste your weight on winter wear
• good sweater(2),
• a muffler,
• a scarf and
• a woolen cap (monkey type),
• umbrella (it occasionally rains heavy here)
You might get a better coat/jacket in the US.
Footwear :
• Sneakers(if possible a black one),
• formal shoes,
• Chappals/sandals,
No matter where you stay, you'll have access to washing and drying facilities. These machines have large capacities, so that it is possible to do 2 week's laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly.
Undergarments :
• Undergarments(15) (if u bring more then u can delay your laundry……u will be usually lazy to use laundry service)
• socks, preferably cotton(5 formal ,5 sports).
Miscellaneous :
• Towel (1+),
• napkins (1/2),
• leather belts (2+),
• handkerchiefs (6+)
• swimwear
(there are many swimming pools in on/off camups appartments apart from the big one of UTA, you wont resist yourself from falling into water in summer).
Linen :
• Bed sheets (double bed size, 2),
• pillow covers (big, 2),
• shawl/light blanket (for spring/summer use).
Things you better buy in US :
• Winter jacket,
• winter gloves,
• caps,
• wind-cheaters,
• track-suits,
• good sweaters (they're cheap),
• Comforter.
