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Information for new
students arriving to IIT
Obtaining
the student visa
1. When you
go for the visa dress decently. Avoid any Americanism. Speak
slowly and clearly. Don't appear tense and don't look desperate.
Showing self-confidence helps often. You may or may not put
on a tie and a blazer.
2. Go with a friend having a vehicle (just in case you have
to go & get something).
3. The US counselors should never feel that you will have any
sort of difficulty in language, in finance, racial, religious,
etc.
4. You should be able to convince them that you will come back
to India after graduating. If they ask you, points in favor
may be
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a)
Only child in the family. |
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b)
Hefty immovable property in India (take documents proving
the same). |
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c)
Lots of relatives in India and none abroad. |
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d)
Parents not willing to come to USA for settlement. |
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e)
Interest in teaching in India after graduating from USA.
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f)
Willing to serve the Indian industries after completing
studies in USA. |
5. Things to be taken with you when you go for the visa
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a)
Signed I-20 form. ( School and Student copy ). |
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b)
Completely filled visa application form. |
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c)
Two 35mm by 35mm size photos (take some glue). |
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d)
Your passport. |
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e)
Admission & financial aid letters. |
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f)
TOEFL & GRE score reports (original and photocopy).
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g)
Original copy of grade reports from your Indian Institution. |
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h)
Copy of Statement of Purpose. |
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i)
C.A Certificate. |
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j)
Affidavit of your sponsor/s addressed to the Consulate
General of USA. |
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k)
Original copy of I.T returns of your sponsors for the
past three years. |
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l)
Bank Statement showing the liquid property in the name
of your sponsors. |
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m)
Original copy of degree awarded if available. |
Booking
Tips for Students
1. After getting the visa the next thing to do
is booking tickets.
2. Days before the flight, call the airline to confirm your
reservation and to cross-check everything the travel agent may
have told you.
3. Indicate whether you want Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVM), non-smoking
section, etc. This can be done at the time of booking the tickets
with the travel agent.
4. Some airlines offer Frequent Flier programs (e.g. Air France,
TWA, United Airlines) implying that after a certain number of
miles of flying with that airline you get a free ticket. Enroll
in such programs.
5. Avoid transit of airline at airports A direct flight is the
best. If change of airline can't be avoided, make sure that
there is at least 4-6 hours gap between the scheduled arrival
of one flight and the scheduled departure of the connecting
flight.
6. Baggage is usually safe with a single airline while change
of airline sometimes leads to misplaced luggage. Some airlines
don't take care about baggage transfer. You may have to personally
carry it (check this while booking)
7. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the check-in
time.
8. Drink lot of fluids on the flight. This will help you recover
the jetlag very fast.
9. Many airlines are fussy about the weight of your cabin baggage.
It is always better to check
with your travel agent regarding this.
10. Always keep a photocopy of your passport, tickets, I-20,
contact info of your school in every baggage including your
cabin baggage.
11. Always keep original copies of your CA certificate, bank
statements, sponsor's affidavit, passport, admission letters
in your cabin baggage. Sometimes, the immigration officials
may ask you to present them at the airport.
12. Ideally, a student can bring $ 500/- in cash, $ 1000/- in
travelers cheques and a personal draft of the amount equal to
one semester's expenses. You may check your I-20 to determine
this amount.
Emigration
Clearance
1. Every person leaving India should have ECNR
stamped on one of the rear pages of your passport. For detailed
information, it is advisable to contact your travel agent.
2. For questions on whether one needs Income Tax clearance certificate
or sometimes, a Police Clearance certificate, it is advisable
to contact your travel agent.
Things
to be done in advance before departure
1. Learn typing.
2. Learn driving.
3. Learn to cook.
4. Make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay
indicated in your I-20
5. All other changes are best made in the U.S.
6. Make outstation purchases (sweater, thermal underwear, cassettes.
7. Have a complete medical checkup done.
8. Get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments
(the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand
name). See Appendix I.
9. Get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription. Buy
at least one extra pair of glasses, lenses.
10. Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR). Fill in
the Health and Immunization record form that has been sent to
you with the I-20 packet.
Packing
1. Start your packing at least two days before
departure date.
2. Buy two strong boxes - they should be able to withstand a
lot of mishandling. They should be as large as possible within
the size limitations (however most airlines are not very strict
about baggage size).
3. Put identification marks and labels both inside & outside
the boxes (apart from this, the airlines will also provide you
with adhesive labels). Boxes with independent top & bottom
are preferable.
4. Box specifications, As an example the Air India economy class
baggage specifications to the USA are given below. Note the
specs. may be different for other countries/airlines. 2 pieces
of baggage with total linear dimension (l+b+h) not exceeding
270cm (106"). Moreover the total linear dimension of each
piece should not be over 158cm (62").
5. The weight of each bag should not exceed 32kg (70lb).
6. Carry on baggage : In addition you can carry a bag with linear
dimension not exceeding 115cm (45") onboard (fits on overhead
compartments).
7. For most other airlines the baggage specifications are similar.
If you are taking a break outside USA/Canada contact your travel
agent or airline for details.
Things to be kept in the boxes
Miscellaneous Items
1. Copy of all certificates/documents (originals
in hand baggage).
2. 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 to around campus.
3. Copy of address book/telephone book/diary.
4. Some 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
5. Medical history file.
6. At least one pair leather chappals, two hawai chappals (extra
straps).
7. Soap (bath), toothbrushes (slightly costly in the US).
8. You may want to bring audio cassettes, CDs of your favorite
music.
9. You may want to enquire with the travel agent regarding valuable
items on which custom duty may be levied.
10. All Indian groceries, pickles and
other food stuff MUST be sealed completely else they may be
removed by the US customs.
Clothes
1. 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.
2. 14-15 sets of undergarments, 6-8 pairs socks, handkerchiefs.
3. Good swimming trunk, few shorts, T-shirts may be brought.
4. At least one tie, 1-2 belts.
5. Two ordinary towels (Turkish ones start stinking).
6. One bed sheet, lungi/dhotis/pajamas, thermal underwear (2-4),
extra woolen sweater.
| Note:
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Sleeveless woolen sweaters are enough for warm places.
-Woolen socks not recommended if not going to a cold place
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Second
hand alarm clocks are cheap in US -Don't take Indian files
(empty) or punching machines, filing system is different
in the US (3 holes, A4) |
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Don't
buy purse (wallet for carrying cards can be bought in
US) |
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Wear
your shoes to save space in the box. If needed buy only
leather shoes (other types of shoes are cheap in US).
For some weather conditions Indian leather shoes may crack.
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7. 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.
Vessels
1. Big pressure cooker (with spare handle, 3
safety valves, 2 weights, 1 base plate, 3 gaskets).
2. Dosai turner, charani (server with holes), rice server &
other servers
3. Pair of tongs, small bowls (kinnum), rolling pin ( Belan),
knife, kadaie (optional). 3-4 dishes, Spoons, 2 frying pans
( tava ), 1 chopping board, 2-3 storage vessels ( tapeli )
4. Cooking book will always be handy. Note: Try to share &
bring the vessels with others coming to IIT. Non-stick kitchenware
is cheap in the US and you can buy a full set.
Things
to be kept in Hand Baggage
1. I-20, passport, ticket, financial documents
(CA certificate, Bank Statements), admission letter, affidavit
of sponsor, all college or school marksheets and related certificates.
2. First aid medicines. For example, tablets for headache, nausea,
fever, loose motion.
3. 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.
4. Address book/phone book (Indian & US)
5. Copies of your photo (passport size)
6. Things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced
(two sets of clothes, valuables like addresses etc)
Things to be left at home
1. List of addresses/phone numbers at which info
about you can be obtained.
2. One copy of all your important documents.
3. A copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files.
4. Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel.
5. Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 10
in number preferable)
6. Your tailoring measurements.
7. Few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be authorized
to look after anything on your behalf.
Things to be done in the last week before the flight
1. Call up & find if there is any delay or
change of schedule of the plane (inform the people coming to
pick you up of any such change).
2. Rest well - ready to face the long journey / jet lag and
bid bye to all concerned.
On the day of the flight, in-flight and
later
1. As it is going to be a long flight wear something
comfortable preferably cotton full hand shirt and trousers.
Wear your shoes
2. Be at the airport at least one hour before check in time.
3. Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible.
4. For vegetarians, watch out before you eat for you may get
non-vegetarian food even if you had asked for vegetarian. Veg.
food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices.
5. Never 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.
7. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions. Usually
people will answer all your queries satisfactorily.
8. Drink lot of fluids to get over with the jet lag as soon
as possible upon arrival.
Port
of entry procedures
1. Sometime before landing the flight attendant
will distribute customs declaration forms & immigration
forms as mentioned below. Fill these out on the plane (you will
submit them to the appropriate authorities when you land). Do
not hesitate to take the flight attendant's help.
2. You can indicate that you have nothing to declare & total
value of all goods you carry is less than $100 on the customs
form.
3. Fill form I-94 in the plane. After seeing your documents,
immigration officer will indicate length of stay, university,
etc. This will be attached to your passport. You must retain
this I-94 form, else you will face trouble in leaving USA later.
4. Form I-20 ID copy - all transactions regarding your non-immigrant
status will be recorded in this form. This should be retained
at all times (not surrendered when you temporarily leave the
US). Your admission number will be given - memorize it &
note it elsewhere.
5. Just before you land the correct local time will be announced
set your watch [dual time watch will come in handy here] Chicago
is 10:30 hours behind India from 31st April to 31st October
and 11:30 hours behind India for other times.
6. Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration
counter rush for them to beat the queue. It might take half
to one hour here.
7. Keep your I-20, passport, admission & aid letters ready.
They might ask few questions like - is this your first time
in the US ? -Are you a student on F-1 visa ? -Which University
are you joining ?
8. The immigration officer will attach an I-94 card on one of
the pages of your passport usually against the visa page
9. Be very relaxed and answer all the questions that the officer
will ask. Sometimes the officer may ask you to present financial
documents or letters from your sponsors. Thus it is advisable
to carry these along with you in your cabin baggage.
10. Then go to the conveyor belts to fetch your luggage. Pick
up a cart to carry the bags. Then pick up your bags as they
come out on the conveyor (suitable eye-catching labels help
here). If you don't get your baggage inform the enquiry section.
11. Cart your baggage to nearby Customs. If asked, tell the
officer that you are a student on F-1 visa, school, department
and coming to USA for the first time. If asked to open the baggage
do so slowly but do not mess up the place. Note : In most cases
you will NOT be asked to open your boxes at all & will be
simply waved through.
12. Then go & wait at the nearest exit for the volunteers
who are supposed to receive you. They will always be standing
and waiting for you on the exit. Be relaxed, ISA will ALWAYS
make an arrangement to receive you. NEVER keep ISA volunteers
as backup. If you have asked a relative or a friend to receive
you then DON'T make an attempt to call the ISA for pick up.
All volunteers have to pass through a pain staking two and half
hours journey to come to O'Hare airport for you, thus you must
respect their effort.
13. Never leave your baggage unattended. Don't go out of the
airport until somebody comes to receive you. If you have doubt
the person who has come to receive you, don't hesitate to ask
for his/her identification paper.
14. Once you reach your house (or other destination) call home
& inform them of reaching safely.
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