Preparing for your U.S. Experience

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience. This guide will help you prepare for your trip so that when you arrive, you can focus on what’s really important – making the most of that experience!

Money

Before coming to the United States, be sure to familiarize yourself with American currency. You should be prepared to meet your initial expenses for tuition, room and board, books, and other personal items. Anything that you can’t bring with you or don’t already have can be purchased here. Credit or debit cards can be used to pay most charges. For your safety, it is not advisable to carry large quantities of cash on your person.

Clothing

You will want to have a wide range of clothing to ensure that you’ll be properly dressed for any scenario.

A mix of light and heavy clothing is important because of seasonal variations in climate. Temperatures will begin dropping in late September, with the coldest temperatures usually occurring in December, January, and February (0°C to -10°C). A mix of casual and dressy clothing is also important. Informal and comfortable clothing is practical for everyday use, but you should also have more formal attire for special occasions or functions. Here is a helpful checklist.

• T-shirts and long sleeved shirts
• Blouses or collared shirts
• Sweaters or sweatshirts
• 2 or 3 pairs of jeans
• Casual pants or skirts
• Shorts
• Shoes (casual and formal)
• Socks and underwear
• At least 1 "dressy" outfit
• Winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf
• Water repellent jacket or coat
• Sleepwear, robe and slippers
• Swimsuit

Linens, Bedding and Room Furnishings

You will need to provide your own sheets, bedspreads, blankets, towels, and other room furnishings. Residence hall rooms on campus or host family rooms are furnished with an extra-long twin bed with mattress, dresser, desk, chair, and closet for each person. Please note that off-campus living arrangements will differ, so determine what you will need before purchasing any furnishings.

Electronics

If you plan on bringing any electrical appliances or computer equipment, please remember that the electrical requirements in the US are 110V and require two flat-pronged plugs. Adapters can be found in local stores. Items like desk lamps, alarm clocks and hair dryers should be purchased locally.

Many students choose to bring laptop computers with them from home. Free high-speed internet service is available in on-campus residence halls and may also be provided by host families. If you do not have your own computer, there are computer labs available on campus for student use.

Phone and Communications

Familiarize yourself with your cell phone plan. Large bills are easy to accumulate, but costs can be controlled with knowledgeable use. Be particularly careful with international services or internet access.

Ask your advisor about buying and using phone cards for making international calls. If you have a personal computer, communicating over the Internet (using programs like Yahoo Instant Messenger) can be an efficient, inexpensive alternative. You may consider purchasing a webcam (one for home and one for use in the United States, if necessary) for this purpose.

Personal Items

Don’t forget to bring a few items of personal or cultural importance. Familiar, comfortable items will make it easier to adjust to your surroundings. Examples might include music, photos, or decorations.

The importance of familiar food is easy to underestimate, but a little taste of home can go a long way. While you can’t bring perishable foodstuffs like fruit, vegetables, or meat into the United States, you can bring pre-packaged snack items like candy or cookies. Be sure to ask about ethnic grocery stores – most cities have them, so you may be able to purchase traditional food items locally.

The United States will be your home for the duration of your study or longer, so make it feel that way!