Shopping list for USA-M.S/Ph.D

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Shopping list for USA - M.S /Ph.D / Studying Abroad

Please find below an indicative list of essential items that you are required to buy/arrange for.

1.FOOTWEAR

1.Shoes (Applicable to both Male / Female)

  • Sport Shoes: just carry one pair of sports shoes (wear them on the flight to save space). One can buy a very good pair and a reasonable rate as compared to India during sales etc. Most of the students go to college in shorts and T-shirts.
  • Leather Shoes: Formal leather shoes (for interviews and formal occasions).

    • 2.Chappals

  • As per individuals requirement. Cheap slippers can be found in Walmart etc.
  • A pair of Indian style shoes for Indian occasions.
  • Girls can carry extra pairs of flip flops if going to a warm state like California.

    • 2.For students travelling to northern (colder) states

  • Carry a sweater and a wind cheater.
  • Carry thermal ware (4 tops and 2 bottoms)
  • Carry a pair of woolen gloves and 2-3 pairs of woolen socks
  • Carry a woolen hat (monkey cap). Buy all other winter ware viz. coat, snow jacket, boots, snow gloves etc. over there as and when required.

    • 3.PERSONAL ACCESSORIES

  • Hangers for clothes;
  • Wallet: One that has space for cards as you normally don't carry much cash with you.
  • Shaving kit & blades (get a good stock, they are costly abroad). Brush & toothpaste (these are also expensive abroad).
  • Soap (get a couple of bars of bathing soap till you go for the first groceries abroad).
  • Combs & hair oil (if you use hair-oil get a year’s supply of your favorites).
  • Nail cutter
  • Small scissors, Safety pin bunch
  • Mini-sewing kit with some buttons
  • Medicines first aid kit;
  • Carry prescribed medicines if required along with prescription
  • Books, Back pack
  • Key Chains
  • Soap box

    • Shopping list for US-Summarizing your personal accessories

    <
    Items Quantity Items Quantity
    Soap bars 2+ Towels 2
    Shampoo bottle 1+big bottle Napkins 6+
    Body Spray 3+ Perfume 2 or as per requirement
    After Shave 1+ Tooth Paste 6+
    Tooth Brush 2+ Shaving Tube 6+
    Mach Razor 2 Blades 20
    Passport size photo 20 Stamp size photo 40

    UTENSILS

    The kind of utensils that you plan to take depends on whether you plan to cook alone or with your housemates. This is because most people don't get time to cook daily. Therefore, students generally cook once in two days.

  • 2-3 plates
  • Glasses
  • Cups and bowls
  • Forks
  • Serving spoons
  • 3 to 4 cooking vessels
  • Pressure cooker of 3filter
  • Cooker container ans spares(ring and valves)
    • Non stick frying pan with turner
  • Tongs and knives
  • Cutting board for vegetables
  • Utensil holder
  • knives
  • spoon

    • STATIONARY LIST

  • White-sheet-50
  • Pencil-12
  • Cello-tape-1
  • Safety-pin 1 packet
  • Thread back-1
  • Blue reel-1
  • White-reel-1
  • Erasers-4
  • Paper cutter-1
  • Stapler-1
  • Stapler pin packet-1
  • Stationary compass-2
  • Blue and black pen-6 each
  • Scribing pad-2Glue-stick-1

    • Documentation

    1.Carry all documentation safely, and have photocopies to back you up - letter from Univ., mark sheets, etc. (the visa stuff basically).

    2.Things to get photocopied: Make three sets of the following copies, keep one set at home and take the remaining two sets with you.

    3.Visa

    4.Xth, Inter (10+2), Degree marks sheets, Convocation Certificate of Under graduation.

    5.I-20 and acceptance letter from the university.

    6.Take all the I-20's/Offer Letters with you if you have more than one.


    IN THE LAST WEEK

    1.Call up and find if there is any change of the schedule of the plane (inform the people coming to pick you up of any such change).

    2.Get ready to face the long journey.

    3.Bid adieu to all concerned.

    4.Find out the name of the person who is coming to pick you up at the airport. Remind those people of the flight timings, airline no, your name. Inform all these to your people at home.

    5.Relax the day before journey, and check all the documents you are taking with you once again.

    6.Arrange for the conveyance if you don’t have a car. You can book with any private transport facility like City cabs/UBER.


    ON THE DAY OF THE FLIGHT AND ON – BOARD:

    1.Since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (cotton dress + full sleeves shirt). Wear your shoes - in flight you can remove them

    2.Check all the documents once again and keep them at appropriate places.

    3.Be at the airport 3-4 hours before the departure.

    4.Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible.

    5.Watch out before you eat - you may get non-veg even if you had asked for veg. Veg food is generally bland - fruits/juices are good choices. (Before ordering anything on board check if, you have to pay for it separately). Don't hesitate to ask questions.

    6.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.