DePaul Indian Student Association (DISA) ::Tips for New Students

Copies of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
Necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's Tables, a good dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion) [note: there should be no legal hassles taking photocopies of books - but don't flaunt them around campus.]
Copy of address and telephone book/diary.
ome stationery and related items suggested (not absolutely necessary - just for the first few weeks ) are: Rubber stamp with house address, airmail covers, few Indian razor blades for cutting work, screw driver, Indian postal stamps for sending letters through someone coming to India
Medical history file.
At least one pair leather chappals, two hawai chappals (extra straps).
Soap (bath), toothbrushes (slightly costly in the US).
You may want to bring audio cassettes, CDs of your favorite music.
You may want to enquire with the travel agent regarding valuable items on which custom duty may be levied.
All Indian groceries, pickles and other food-stuff MUST be sealed completely else they may be removed by the US customs.

Usually clothes are machine washed once every two weeks hence two weeks supply of clothes is needed. Get all clothes little loose - clothes may shrink in machine wash or you might probably grow fat
14-15 sets of undergarments, 6-8 pairs socks, and handkerchiefs
Good swimming trunk, few shorts, T-shirts may be brought, Formal wear (Blazer/Suit)
At least one tie, 1-2 belts
Two ordinary towels (Turkish ones start stinking)
One bed sheet, night dress, thermal underwear (2-4), extra woolen sweater
Don't worry yourself if you can't bring any of the items listed above most of them are available pretty cheap in the US (made in China). Exceptions are leather goods, formal wear.

Note:

Don't take Indian files (empty) or punching machines, filing system is different in the US (3 holes, A4)
Wear your shoes to save space in the bags. If needed buy only leather shoes (other types are cheap in US)

Big pressure cooker (with spare handle, 3 safety valves, 2 weights, 1 base plate, 3 gaskets)
Dosai turner, charani (server with holes), rice server & other servers
Pair of tongs, small bowls, rolling pin (Belan), knife, kadai (optional). 3-4 dishes, Spoons, frying pan (tava), 1 chopping board, 2-3 storage vessels (tapeli)
Cooking book will always be handy.

Note: Try to share & bring the vessels with others coming to DePaul. Non-stick kitchenware is cheap in the US and you can buy a full set.

I-20, passport, ticket, financial documents (CA certificate, Bank Statements), admission letter, affidavit of sponsor, all college or school mark sheets and related certificates.
First aid medicines. For example, tablets for headache, nausea, fever, and loose motion.
Novel/magazines/books for in-flight reading, sweater. If you are coming in Fall, the weather will be hot enough, thus you would NOT need to wear any warm clothing then. Else you MUST be prepared to face extremely cold temperatures if you are arriving in Spring.
Address book/phone book (Indian & US)
Copies of your photo (passport size)
Things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced (two sets of clothes, valuables like addresses etc)

New Students