Things to carry

Presented below is a comprehensive list of things you should bring to Ann Arbor from India. Please note that almost all the items mentioned below are readily available in Ann Arbor – i.e. this is not a list of ‘must haves’. However, the list is prepared with a view of minimising your initial expenditure upon arriving in the US, and to provide a checklist to help students who might be leaving home for the first time.
Documents

Remember to carry all important documents in a neatly arranged folder. Make 3 copies of the documents. Leave 1 copy at home in India and carry 2 copies with you. Preferably carry the originals (especially PASSPORT, I-20 LETTER etc.) on person (or in your cabin baggage) during travel as checked-in luggage is liable to get lost.
Important Documents

* Passport (with stamped VISA)
* Form I-20 (Note: American citizens/Green card holders do not need the I-20 form)
* Correspondence regarding your admission to U of M
* Letter of Financial Aid (if present)
* Graduation diploma (if available)
* Transcripts/Mark-sheets of previously attended schools
* Any other bona-fide certificates / documents

Clothes

3 pairs Jeans
4 Light T-shirts (summer wear)
2 Thick T-shirts (or sweatshirts)
3 Shorts
1 Cap
1 pair Sports shoes (sneakers)
2 to 3 Formal shirts & trousers / dresses (for presentations etc)
1 Formal blazer or suit (for interviews, etc.)
1 pair Formal leather shoes (carry shoe-polish too)
2 to 3 Neck-ties
2 to 3 Belts (formal and informal)
1 Light jacket for fall (winter jackets are best bought in the US)
2 Sweaters
1 Woolen Cap
2 pairs Thermal underwear (OPTIONAL)
2 Night dresses
14 (!) pairs Underwear (note: laundry normally done once in 2 weeks)
8 pairs Socks
1 pair Slippers/Sandals
1 or 2 Leather wallets (preferably with pockets for lots of plastic cards)
1 or 2 Traditional outfits (Kurta-Pyjamas/Sarees – for ethnic functions)

Toilet Kit

2 Toothbrushes
1 Toothpaste
1 Talcum powder
1 or 2 Razors
2 Packets of shaving blades ( – expensive here !)
1 Shaving cream
1 After-shave lotion
1 Shampoo
2 Soaps
1 Deodorant/perfume
1 Bottle hair-oil
1 Comb
1 Nail cutter

Miscellaneous items

1 Umbrella (it rains often here)
1 Bag / backpack
1 Scientific Calculator (required for engineering students)
1 Stationery set (pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, staplers, cello-tape, etc.)
1 Can opener
2 Towels
3 Napkins
1 Sewing Kit (needles, thread, buttons, safety-pins, scissors, etc.)
1 Screwdriver
1 Watch
1 Alarm clock
2 Bed-sheets (large – beds here are slightly wider)
1 Pillow (if used)
2 Pillow covers (if pillow is used)
1 Blanket
1 Torch (OPTIONAL)
1 International Calling Card (OPTIONAL: Better calling cards are
available here, but may be useful for making a few initial calls,
esp. if you will be calling from a public place)
N.A. Text books – all important ones in your field of study (expensive here)
N.A. Religious idols, photos, CDs, cassettes, walkman, swimming trunks,
badminton/tennis/table-tennis racquets, musical instruments, etc.
(- you will have ample opportunity to pursue your hobbies here )

Medical Kit

Please carry prescriptions from your doctor for any chronic illness or medical condition. If you use spectacles/lenses, do carry an extra pair (- a new pair of glasses is very costly). It is also advisable to have an eye and dental check-up prior to coming to the US.

In addition to your prescription medicines, you might want to carry :
Important Medicines

* Fever reducers (e.g. Crocin)
* Pain Relievers (e.g. Brufen, Disprin)
* Anti-allergy, cough and cold medicines (e.g. Actifed, Coldarin)
* Band-aids (cotton and bandages)
* Ointments for burns, cuts, etc. (e.g. Burnol, Soframycin)
* Medicine for diarrhoea, stomach ache (e.g. Lomotil, Pudin Hara)
* Pain relieving sprays/oitments (e.g. Iodex)
* Moisturising cream

Utensils

Please note that if you know who you room-mates will be, it might be a good idea to share/distribute the utensils to be carried. Do carry a few recipe books if you are not familiar with cooking.

1 Large frying pan (non-stick preferable)
1 Kadhai (for deep frying)
1 Cooker – 5 litre (also carry extra gaskets, whistles, safety valves, etc.)
1 Tea strainer
1 Strainer spoon for deep frying
1 Rolling pin set (OPTIONAL)
3 Kitchen knives (different sizes are useful)
1 Peeler
1 Holder (to move warm vessels)
1 Egg beater
4 Cooking spoons
1 Serving ladle
2 Wooden spatulas
- Small PET bottles for salt, spices, etc.
1 Cutting board (wooden/plastic)
4 Dinner plates (preferably microwaveable)
2 Plastic bowls
4 Eating spoons (teaspoons)
2 Coffee mugs

Food Items

WARNING The U.S. immigration and agriculture department strictly prohibits carrying food, meat, vegetables, fruits, seeds, etc. into the United States. Your baggage might be subject to a security check and inspection by sniffer-dogs at airport.

However, our experience at the Detroit Metro airport is that you are normally allowed to bring in food articles as long as they are carried in adequately sealed packets. At your risk and discretion, you may carry sealed packets of spices (red chilli powder, turmeric, jeera, garam masala, etc.). Please note that all these items (and more) can be easily purchased at the nearby Indian grocery store.

For initial use you may want to carry:

1 kg Rice
1 kg Dal
1 packet Coffee/Tea
1 packet Salt
1 packet Sugar

Note: This list was originally compiled by Salil Rege; and has since been modified to keep it up-to-date.

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