THINGS TO BRING + OTHER INFORMATION

CLOTHING

Indian clothes (especially cottons) have a tendency to shrink when washed in a washing machine here, so please be careful with sizes.

Formals: One suit(I personally do not recommend it, u would not need it until u need to face interviews, u can buy it here when the need arises.but if u have one get it), ties (1/2), shirts and trousers (number of your choice).

Casuals: Jeans (number of your choice, but at least 4 is recommended), T-shirts (get as many t-shirts as u can, they are comfortable and easy to iron)& sweats (6+), flannel shirts (2+), shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (number of your choice). If you don't mind printed T shirts that praise Bank of America or Nearby supermarket, you will definitely get a few of them free during your first weeks here.

Footwear: Sneakers, good formal shoes (Not necessary, but are much cheaper in India), leather chappals/ sandals/ loafers, bathroom slippers.

Underwear: About 12 sets(I recommend more, just in case ur lazy and do not visit the laundry often) of underclothes and socks( preferably cotton).

Miscellaneous:Bed sheets (double bed size, 2), pillow covers (big, 2), Towel (1+2), napkins (optional),Tape for pyjamas, leather belts (2+), a good jacket (pref. leather), traditional Indian dresses (1+).

Winter wear: Sweaters (medium quality, at most 2), muffler/ scarf, woolen cap. I recommend u get a leather jacket if u have one. U would have to buy one here otherwise anywyas.Get an umbrella too if u have 1 already.(becoz it might rain anytime,anyday,...)

Note: Laundry is usually done every two weeks though some with enthu do it every week and some do it at even less frequency. So get enough underclothes, socks, shirts/Tees, jeans etc. to last you 2-3 weeks. The more underwear and socks you get, the better.

KITCHEN ITEMS

Most graduate students cook in their apartments. So you will need all the basic stuff needed for cooking.

Utensils:

• A large (for 3-4 people) pressure cooker with spare gaskets and safety valves is probably the most important kitchen item you can get. A 3 litre one should do but you might want to consider a larger size.
• A pressure pan [with spare handle, 3 safety valves, 2 weights, 1 base plates, 3 gaskets] [note: big pressure cooker is not needed as you can buy a rice cooker in the US]
• Non-stick tava
• SS dinner plates (if u don like microwavable at all)
• Table spoons, teaspoons, forks
• Dinner knives, kitchen knife
• Cooking tongs for SS vessels
• Tea strainer
• Ladles for serving rice, dal
• Tumblers -- 2
• Rolling pin and board --1 [for making chapatis] u need not bring this, if u still intend to make chappatis, get the rolling pin only and please remember to inform me so that I can invite myself to your house for a dinner).

Plastic spoons, knives and forks are very cheap at the local grocery stores, and can be left out if u don't have enuf space..

Masalas: All these are available here but bring small quantities so that you don't have to run to the Indian stores on the very first day.

• Masalas etc. [usually OK with US customs, (if sealed in original packing with label)
• Tea/Coffee powder -- 0.2 kg [it may take some time to get used to the US stuff]
• Dhania-jeera powder -- 0.25 kg
• Red chilli powder -- 0.25 kg
• Turmeric powder -- 0.25 kg
• Small quantities of each of the following: cloves, cinnamon, elaichi [cardamom – white and black], cumin seeds [jeera], mustard seeds, asafoetida powder, pickles, papad [appalam]
• Different dhals in small quantities for initial phase
• Sambar powder -- 1 kg
• Rasam podi -- 0.5 kg
• Paruppu podi --1 packet and tamarind paste
• Cook book -- e.g.: "Cook and see" by Meenakshi Ammal (or else u can ring me up anytime, learn from the best)

and most important some pickles, some sweets for your friends (i.e. us) stranded in this fat-free land. Please pack everything to be leak-proof.

Note: most of these items are available in the Indian stores . The above may all seem very silly and worth mocking. But these will help you beat the "craving" during the initial few weeks. But, be realistic: if you think the list is exhaustive, prune and take the most important things only.

• Basically, ask you mum as to what all is essential and/or useful for the type of cooking that you are going to do.

MISCELLANEOUS

Toilette: Nail cutter, scissors, safety pins,Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using), soap, a complete shaving kit (all in a toiletry bag)(though you'll soon want to try the 'phirang' stuff, your home kit is good to carry around in travel). You can(get these also from home if possible….save as much money as u can) buy shampoo, talcum powder etc later.

Medicines:Spare spectacles, (Very very important, if you use specs, that is.) Spectacle prescription, Disprin/Crocin/Dristan/Avil/Septran/... (choose according to your needs) Medicines with prescriptions for standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomach-ache etc. Also personal medication (if on any) and medical history papers. Antiseptic cream, relaxyl etc. Spare eyeglasses/ contact lenses.Get a complete medical checkup done before getting here.

Other: Needles & thread, buttons, photos of deities (if religious-minded), family photos,, music cassettes, 'Indian' ethnic stuff (gifts/ personal use), An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region,travelers alarm clock .

Don't even think of getting things like radios and cameras. You'll get far better goods here, though you will have to save a little for them.

Buy a good leather wallet(the ones that provide extra pockets for storing credit cards, identity cards, etc…) and a sling bag if u need to school.

Things you better buy in US: Winter jacket, winter gloves, caps, wind-cheaters, track-suits, good sweaters (they're cheap), comforter.Indian files/folders or punching machines [filing system in the US is different :3 holes; Letter size]

CASH

Atlanta is one of the least expensive cities of the US.

For off-campus housing you'll be required to pay rent for one month in advance plus an addition $150 deposit. You'll be also required to pay your medical insurance premium on joining.  Plus you'll have initial expenses in settling down. If the need arises, you can (and should) borrow some money from senior friends/relatives/us (notice how we put ourselves last!). Traveler's cheques and personal drafts are easy to use and should pose on problem at all.

You will need some extra cash in the first month to pay for security deposit and application money for apartment, security deposit for getting a telephone connection, enough cash to cover for first month’s grocery and transportation needs. This is of course assuming that you will have an assistantship. If you have a Graduate Research Assistantship, you will be paid at the end of every month. After you have been here for some time, you will qualify to get a credit card. Till then you might have to pay in cash, checks or through a debit card, which the banks will provide you once you open an account with them.

Get about $50 in cash and the rest in traveler checks. Keep smaller denominations of one dollar and five dollar bills to help you get change at change machines.

Don't worry if you can't bring any of the stuff listed above -- most of them are available pretty cheap in the US [Made in China]. In a month's time you'll be able to buy most of the above [unless you are not on aid]. In summary, we would recommend that you concentrate on your choice of books, and get a good pressure cooker. Linen, most clothing and some cutlery (spoons, etc.) is best bought here after your arrival. However, please remember that these are only suggestions to help you make informed decisions on your packing. In the end, trust your mom's (and your own) judgment and common sense.

BOOKS/STATIONARY:

These are easily the most important items in your baggage. Books are extremely expensive here and if you can manage to get the same books in India, please carry them with you. Please look at the Books section for a list of books u might need.

Get in touch with your advisor and get a list of text books.Visit the courses available in ur univ., decide the courses ur interested in and contact some one for the names of the text books for these courses)Also, get all good general reference books that you already have.

• Calculator.(but you'll soon want to buy some fancy stuff here)
• Indian calendar

If you are an E-books person or dont mind reading from Used text books, you can leave bringing books if they don't fit your luggage limits. Amazon and many other online bookstores can help you buy cheap books. We also have an extensive library at GSU.

PACKING

Bags: 2 (Allowed free) +1 carry-on (shoulder bag)

Most airlines will let you carry only two bags each of 32 Kgs.

• Start your packing well in advance.Buy two good boxes - 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).
• Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside the boxes (apart from this the airlines will also provide you with adhesive labels). Boxes with independent top & bottom are preferable.
• In addition you can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115cm (45") onboard (fits beneath the seat).

Things to be kept in the cabin baggage:

• Some medicines [including those for air-sickness].
• Sweater.
• Original important documents [I-20, visa, tickets].
• Novels/books/mags for inflight reading.
• Enough money [little cash and traveller's cheques].
• Address and phone book [Indian and US].
• Copies of your photo [passport size].
• Keep some clean clothes, and the most essential basic items required for sustaining yourself for a couple of days, in case your luggage gets midplaced in transit.

Things to be kept on person:

• Shorter extract of contact address -- especially of people coming to pick you up.
• Receipt got along with traveler's cheques  in case you lose TCs.
• Remaining amount of cash.[a belt-bag would be a perfect place to keep it.

Things to be kept at home:

• List of addresses /phone nos. 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.
• A few signed blank papers  so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your behalf.
• Your tailoring measurements.

  A Copy of all certificates/documents [originals in cabin baggage]., important APPLICATION materials [SOP, Reco etc.],another copy of important addresses ,edical history files and the rest go into the check-in bags

FINALLY …

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.

On the day of the flight & in-flight + later:

• Since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (cotton dress + full hand shirt). 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
• 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.

Things to do from now till the time you leave:

Cooking: Try getting as much cooking experience as you can. We promise you, if you do it, you’ll thank us for this advice when you are here.

Driving: Get some driving experience. It will help you in learning driving in US faster. Do not waste time in getting international driving permit from India, as it does not really help. You’ll have to give a Georgia driving test here when you are ready for it. Georgia test procedure requires you to clear a written test followed by a driving test before you can begin driving. It is a good idea to give the written test as early as you can, as that will help you get a temporary license. This will help you in reducing your insurance cost once you decide to buy a car. If you have time, read about Georgia State driving rules. This will help you take your driving test early. For more information look at "http://golocalnet.com/st/georgia/index1.html"

Take a complete health test before u leave. Take your MMR shots in India itself and get a certificate from the doctor, as it will save you a lot of money. We also advise you to get a chest X-ray done and examined by a doctor for TB symptoms and get a report. Get your teeth and vision checked, as these are not covered by health insurance provided by the university. Treatment for these is also very expensive. And most important, spend maximum time with people you love.