Whether it is for a day trip to the nearby hillock or an Antarctic expedition, packing is a hassle even at the best of times. Add to it the trepidation of moving to a new country altogether for the foreseeable future and the fear of forgetting something really important back home, destroying a ring at Mordor under Sauron’s watchful eye suddenly seems an easier task than packing for your graduate studies.
But LOTR references and bad fashion choices aside, I have taken up the task of providing you some help on packing so that you may be able to live out of your suitcase the first few days upon arriving to Irvine. However, I must strongly recommend that you don’t do that. Typically, airlines allow 2 large luggage and carry-on luggage. Sometimes, airlines take pity on students and allow 3 bags. I shall cover items in order of importance for you to make best use of the space you have in your luggage.
- Foremost, remember to carry your I-20, passport and other necessary documents in your carry-on or backpack that you will have with you at all times when flying since you will need them at various points in your pre-boarding, boarding and arrival checks at airports. It is also recommended you carry some snacks, a book to read, laptop, kindle or any device which will keep you entertained in your carry-on luggage since looking at clouds or that odd stain on the seat in front of you which reminds you of your 3rd grade math teacher’s hairline can only be interesting for so long on a 20 hour flight.
- Besides, take a pen or pencil and take care that you don’t put the kitchen knife set (or any other sharp or otherwise dangerous implements which may be banned on flights and so thrown from your bag) your mother gave you as a gift in your hand luggage.
- Any short term medication should also go into your carry-on. Do remember to keep some money stashed in different places besides your wallet as well as a small card or notebook with contact information of people living both back home and in Irvine or wherever you will be landing in case of emergencies.
- Do keep your cords and chargers for items like your phones and laptops in the carry-on.
- You could round it up with a light blanket or a coat and a neck pillow if required for the frigid airports you probably will encounter.
- If you have a long layover, do keep a camera and a change of clothes as well as a small towel with you.
Now that we have taken care of the most important items in the carry-on, we will now graduate to the check in baggage.
- Clothes will obviously form a large part of the baggage you will be bringing with you. But you can optimize what you bring so that you save a lot of space. For example, do not bring too many winter clothes! It never gets unbearably cold in this region and winter clothes are generally the heaviest items of clothing.
- Since you will be reaching here at the hottest time of the year, bring as many light pieces of clothing and pairs of underwear as you can.
- Clothing is relatively inexpensive here and stores like Macy’s, Target and Walmart will regularly have sales on clothing items which you can utilize to the fullest as students. Instead, use the space to bring a set of ethnic clothes if you like since there will definitely be opportunities for you to wear them in such a culturally diverse environment.
- Unless you are in a program that requires you to dress in professional attire in a daily basis, bring only a couple of sets.
- Also, pack a sun hat or cap and coolers.
- If you bring multiple pairs of shoes, the general rule of thumb is to wear the heaviest ones for the flight. Sports shoes are also relatively inexpensive as well as of good quality especially if you wait till Black Friday and similar sales.
- Pack in some stationery that you think you will require for your studies. If you do bring a lot of kitchen items, such as coffee makers or other fragile instruments, take care to wrap them in a towel so that they survive the rigors of the ungentlemanly handling at airports.
- Academic books in the USA are generally expensive unless you rent them. So, it would do you good to get them from your home country if you know for sure which ones you will be needing.
- The same goes with prescription medicine. If you are under medication for any illness, do stock up with an optimal amount after checking with travel guidelines.
- If you are bringing electronic devices that use a different plug point than the ones in the USA, make sure to bring a couple of converters. A surge strip with multiple plug points is also recommended.
- Fill the rest of the space in your check in baggage with snacks, spices, toiletries and other items you think will not be available here and will make you feel a little more at home.
From my own personal experience, here are other minor items you could consider packing: Duct tape, safety pins, water bottles, umbrellas, flashlight, games, playing cards, posters, family pictures, iron, flip flops, cotton swabs, calculator, locks, rubbing alcohol and throat drops. But most importantly, see that you carefully follow the restrictions of your particular airline and home country’s regulations when you pack. To reiterate, remember to stash money in different secret places in cases of emergencies. Just see to that they aren’t so secret that you can’t find them when you need to.
Here are a few helpful links to go through for more ideas on efficient packing. Though not all of them are tailored for international students, you must be able to weed out the wheat from the chaff. It’s always helpful to make a checklist and follow it religiously.
http://www.hercampus.com/life/campus-life/what-bring-college-best-college-packing-list-ever
http://www.studyabroad.com/student-guide/study-abroad-packing.aspx
http://www.wikihow.com/Pack-for-College
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B76P8jI2Kk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrwtexpqLW8
To conclude, the most important things you will need to bring with you will not be in your bags. Come with an open mind and a healthy attitude, and that will be biggest weight of your shoulders, not your overstuffed backpack. Happy packing!