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Bring
appropriate winter clothing, as the temperature in Youngstown does go below
-10°C during winter. Heavy clothing can also be bought here. |
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We strongly
recommend that you bring your Indian driver's license (or IDP) with you,
because a Ohio license can then be obtained easily. |
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It is advisable
to have all eye/dental examinations done in India and also to carry an
additional pair of glasses/contact lenses, to avoid incurring high
expenditures in the US. Also carry medications for allergies and common
aliments. Even health insurance given by the university doesn't cover
Eye/Dental ailments. |
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It helps to
bring some cooking utensils (e.g. a pressure cooker). Flat-bottomed vessels
are preferable, as there are mostly electric stoves in the U.S. Indian
groceries and spices are available in Lexington. It is a good idea to learn a
few basic recipes. |
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Books are
expensive here (Each might cost around $100) and it is very difficult to get
textbooks solely from the library. Try to bring relevant textbooks from India.
This will save you some money. Generally every major has some set of core
courses which are mandatory. Find out the core courses from the Coordinator of
Graduate program/Graduate Admission Advisor of the particular department (links are provided on
website) or mail us so that we can direct you to some student in the
department who might give you the information. |
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Note that it is
generally difficult to transfer to another school in the US without attending
at least one semester in the school on whose I-20 you received the visa.
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Other articles
that you might want to carry along and save spending on them out here would be
:audio cassettes of your liking, a formal dress in case you were to attend
conferences, a pair of formal shoes, a backpack, a couple of passport sized
photographs. |
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You might want
to leave behind the following with your parents : a copy of all your important
documents, the list of e-mail addresses and phone numbers they could use to
get in touch with you (given below), letters of authorization in the name of
your parents. |
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YSU is a
wonderful place to meet people from other countries. We would like you also to
be a part of this International Community. YSU has an Center of International
Studies and Program (CISP) through which you might be invited by an American
family and make occasional visits to their place for lunch/dinner. So if
possible, please bring some photographs, posters of India, a traditional
dress, small gift items, and maybe a musical instrument that you play. We hope
you will find this international experience to be a special kind of education.
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We look forward
to seeing you here in Youngstown. Have a pleasant and safe journey.
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Luggage Information |
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By now,
you must have received tons of advice on what to take with you from all and
sundry. This "tons of advice" will normally translate into "tons of luggage"
and while you may not be averse to the idea of performing the Herculean task
of carrying it around airports of the world, we doubt if your backbone or
the airlines would look kindly on this venture. Remember that if you are
coming from outside the US, you are allowed only 2 pieces of luggage of
specified weight and dimensions. Please check with your particular airline
for specific details. We hope that the forthcoming information will help you
pack light. Also be sure to stick address tags on either side of baggage.
You can use your contact address in the US if you have one, or you may use
any of our addresses listed at the end of this document.
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Clothing |
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The dress
code on campus is pretty informal and a T-shirt worn with jeans is almost a
universal dress code for both sex here. Formal dressing is mandatory
occasionally. You may, of course, want to bring along some Indian clothes
(saris, kurtas, etc) with you. We would also recommend that you get a pair
of good leather shoes, as they are fairly expensive here. In general the
following list should suffice:
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4/5 pairs of jeans
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10/12 T-shirts
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1/2 pairs of formal
trousers/shirts/saris/salwar- kameez/etc |
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A suit
(recommended–you’ll need it when you are being interviewed for your job)
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At least 15 pairs of
undergarments |
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Only 1 pair of
thermals |
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At least 15 pairs of
socks |
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1 pair leather shoes
1 pair of leather chappals/sandals for girls |
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3/4 pairs of
informal shirts (Half Sleeve for Spring/Summer). |
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2 large towels, 2
small towels, 2/3 napkins |
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1 pair woolen gloves
and a monkey cap (if u feel like it) |
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An umbrella !!
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Fall Jacket /
Windcheater |
Also, remember that
the laundry cycle is once in15 days so get sufficient clothes accordingly.
You will have to buy the winter jacket from here, since nothing available in
India is good enough for this place.
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Edibles |
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Don't go overboard in stuffing your bags with all possible spices fromthe
Himalayas to KanyaKumari. Exercise jurisdiction in what would be a
reasonable quantity of the items listed below for your style of cooking and
pack accordingly.
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Pav Bhaji Masala
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Pulav Masala
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Garam Masala
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Pickles You like
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Sambhar Masala
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Chole Masala
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Tea Powder /
CoffeePowder |
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Haldi
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Dhania
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Whole Spices (Khara
Masala) |
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Jeera
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Rye (Mustard Seeds)
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Chilli Powder
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Sambhar Podi
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Rasam Podi
(Important, if it is your staple diet) |
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Paruppu Podi
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For Non-Vegetarians
Bring Meat Masalas |
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Pappads/Applam
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Remember that the
easiest way to make friends with seniors is to feed the existing Indian
food-starved populace with desi delicacies and sweets. So if there are any
specialties of your place, do get them along.
Note: Remember to seal and label all edible items properly.
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Cooking Accessories |
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Don't bring along all kinds of pots and pans. All you should be getting with
you is:
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1 Pressure cooker
(bring a large one if you plan to share accommodation - at least 3
liters). |
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Spare accessories
for the cooker (safety valves, gasket, whistle, etc - very imp)
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1 non-stick ware
frying pan and wooden stirrer spoons, forks, |
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A sharp knife,
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Butter knife,
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Potato peeler
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Serving spoons (chamcha/karandi–
at least two ) |
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A pair of kitchen
tongs (pakkad/idiki) |
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Deep frying pan (kadahi,
preferably non - stick) |
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2 plates, Glass, Tea
Cup |
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Masala dabba (box)
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Cutting board (for
cutting vegetables ) |
Note: Bring all the
flat bottom utensils.
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Personal Items |
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Get the following for your first few days (or weeks if you want), but just
that much.
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Toothbrush and
toothpaste |
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Shaving kit
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Hair comb/brush
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Soap
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Shampoo
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Perfumes and
Deodorants |
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Ear buds
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Hair oil
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Nail cutter
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Cold Cream
(essential in winter ) |
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Vaccination and Health |
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It is of utmost importance for you to go through the same. From past
experience we advise you to be vaccinated against
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Hepatitis B
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MMR - Measles Mumps
and Rubella |
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Tetanus
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Also get Blood, Urine
test reports, a dental checkup and a Chest X-ray unless you feel comfortable
about paying through your teeth for getting one done here. It will save you
money here.... You are also advised to get a first aid kit along. Remember
to get any prescription medicines that you take regularly. Also if you use
spectacles, get at least two spare sets as they are really expensive out
here (around $150 – 200 ).
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Stationery |
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Get the
following for your first few days.
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At least 2 big
notebooks/notepads |
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A set of dozen pens,
pencils, ruler and erasers |
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A cello tape,
stapler, staples, paper pins/clips, adhesives |
Note: Do not get
puncher or files from India as the file system in the U.S. is different (3 –
hole system). Also get a sturdy backpack / college bag as you will need it.
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Weight and Size limits of Luggage. |
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Hand
Luggage: In general, two pieces of luggage are allowed, one in the
overhead bin and one that can fit under the seat. The bag for the overhead
bin should be less than 40 pounds and no larger than 9" x 14" x 22". Some
additional items such as umbrellas, and baby srollers.
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Checked Luggage: In
general, two pieces of luggage are allowed, each should be less than 70
pounds and not exceed a linear dimension (length + width + height) of 62".
Additional pieces may be checked, but the passenger may incur additional
costs. |
Note: 2.2 Pounds = 1
Kilograms. |
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What to keep in your hand baggage? |
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Keep your hand baggage
in your possession all the time. Do not leave it unattended at any time,
especially at the changeover. Your hand baggage should contain the following
:
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Passport, I-20 and
Admission letter.* |
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At least two sets of
clothing. |
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Telephone / Address
book. |
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Cash / Traveler’s
checks. |
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Medication for air
sickness if you need it. |
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Our address and
phone numbers in case you need to contact us. |
Note: Try to keep
photocopies of these documents in all of your luggage. In case you miss your
original documents you will retain the photocopy of these documents. Keep
all of your original documents in waist pouch and not in your hand bag. This
is because you have to keep your hand bag in overhead closets, that you will
leave unattended in case you leave your seat.
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What
to keep at your home? |
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There are certain
things that you need to keep safely at home along with your parents. These
are :
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List of addresses
and phone numbers at which information about you can be obtained.
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A copy of important
documents ( passport, I-20, transcripts, admission letter) |
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The numbers of your
traveler’s checks and demand draft. |
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A few blank signed
papers in case your parents need them.
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What not to bring? |
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Don't bring any
Electrical Appliances with you! 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 here.
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