Packing for the USA

Here are some recommendations from some of our current international students on what to bring and what to leave at home

• Don’t waste space by packing everyday items like toothpaste or shampoo. They’ll be cheap to buy here.

• Bring spices or other light items that might be expensive here.

• Make sure most of your clothing items are for cold weather.

• Bring snacks that you enjoy that you won’t be able to find here in the U.S.

• Bring things that remind you of home – photos of friends and loved ones.

• Come prepared with a U.S. outlet compatible travel adaptor.

• It has been recommended that you purchase professional clothing in your home country as business attire in the United States is expensive.

• Textbooks are heavy and take up space in your luggage. Really think about your decision to bring any textbooks before you come. Consider shipping them to your new address.

• Pack some snacks for your first day/night in the U.S.

• Bring spare glasses and headphones. Accidents happen, and it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to prescription eyewear.

• Bring things that remind you of your home country, such as a flag or a hat.

• If you have room for it, bring along your video game console.

• If you bring too many things with you that you can deal to part with, you can always donate those items to consignment stores like Salvation Army or Goodwill.

• Don’t stress if you forgot something. You can find just about anything online.

Travel Documents

• I-20

• Passport + Visa + Other forms of ID

• A photocopy of your passport + other travel documents

• Insurance card (travel insurance, too)

Clothes

• Favorite things that you cannot imagine living without

• Traditional outfit(s) for cultural events

• A wind-breaker / raincoat / waterproof outerwear

• Outfits to work out in

• Versatile clothing, meaning you can wear it for as much of the year as possible (mostly cold weather!)

• One formal outfit (a dress, a decked-out suit, shoes)

• Interview clothes / professional attire (it is recommended to bring some from home as these items are rather expensive in the United States)

• Shoes (try to limit it to five pairs)

• Glasses, both prescription and sunglasses

• Warm sweater or fleece (only if you already have one)

• Beanie/winter hat (if arriving in cold season)

• Light jacket (for the plane and cool evenings)

• Sturdy all-weather boots (useful for rain or snow)

• Belt (casual and formal)

• Socks (enough between laundry days)

• Undergarments (enough between laundry days)

• Sleepwear/loungewear

Toileteries 

• Toothbrush + small toothpaste

• Soap (one bar or travel bottle)

• Shampoo (small bottle)

• Deodorant (travel size)

• Comb or hairbrush

• Nail clippers

• Lip balm

• Sunscreen (small bottle)

• Contact lens solution + spare contacts (if you wear them)

• Shaving razor + small shaving cream (if needed)

• Hair oil or styling product (if you use a specific brand not easily found abroad)

Useful Items

• The U.S. is 110V; bring a power converter and power adapters for your items

• A compact umbrella, if you already have one (sturdy, wind-resistant recommended)

• All the portable electronic things you might need, and REMEMBER THE CHARGERS AND CABLES

• ADAPTERS (multiple, including a power strip from your home country if useful)

• Past papers/notes that may be helpful in the classes you’ll take here

• Calculator

• Medicine/prescriptions (as these can be very expensive in the U.S.) — keep in original packaging

• A small first-aid kit (bandages, antiseptic cream)

• Reusable water bottle

• Small padlock (for lockers or gym)

• Keychain

• Basic sewing kit (needle, thread, a few buttons)

Miscellaneous Items

• Chargers for your phone and computer (spare cable recommended)

• Neck pillow

• Snacks (only what you can finish quickly; most food is available locally)

• Gum (helps with air pressure and popping your ears)

• Medication if you get travel sickness

• Headphones / Earbuds

• Glasses (if you wear contacts) + contact solution for taking them out

• Some cash for food or souvenirs ($100–200 in small bills)

• Small sentimental things that remind you of home/friends/loved ones (photos, a small keepsake)

• Spices (small quantities of irreplaceable ones, in sealed bags — check customs rules)

• A pen for filling out customs forms on arrival

• Ziploc bags of various sizes (very handy for organizing)

Clothes

• Flip flops (shower shoes)

• A good, sturdy Winter coat

• Winter boots

Useful Items

• A compact umbrella (you can find some for cheap if you didn’t have one at home)

• A coffee/tea tumbler (another reminder that it’s cold here for most of the school year)

• Bedsheets, Blanks, Pillows

• Towels

• A minifridge (make sure to talk to your roommate before buying one)

• Laundry basket, laundry detergent, dryer sheets

• Vacuum, Mop, Broom, things to clean your place with

• Hangers for your clothes

• Notebooks