This week, we will provide you with some tips to prepare for your stay at UCI including what to pack and how to stay in touch with friends and family while abroad. Do not forget to utilize the Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival checklists in your preparations.
Packing
Since you will be in Southern California for some time, take into careful consideration what you need to pack and what can be purchased upon arrival. Plan ahead and create a personal list. If you forget something, items can be easily purchased near campus.
Southern California’s weather varies widely and will impact what clothes you pack. While there are mostly warm and sunny days most of the year, expect cold, windy and rainy days during fall and winter. Consider where you will live and what items are necessities during the first couple of days. Most housing and basic school supplies can be purchased at retails stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, or Ikea at low prices once you arrive. Books can be purchased or rented at The Hill (UCI Bookstore) or at Amazon.com.
Your carry-on luggage should include a change of clothes, essentials, medications, and some money and your important documents (passport, I-20, admissions letter, etc.). Make copies of your documents and leave them with a family member or trusted friend. If you already have phone numbers and addresses established in the U.S., share them so people can reach you when you arrive and in an emergency. If you need prescription medications, pack enough to last until you can obtain a new refill in the U.S. Obtain your doctor’s information and copies of your prescriptions.
Finally, do not forget to bring personal items from home that remind you of your friends and family that may make your transition easier.
Communications & Correspondences
You will likely need to contact family and friends upon your safe arrival. The most convenient and immediate way is through email, messaging app, or through video chat. Wi-Fi is available on-campus, coffee shops, and even shopping malls. Once you have settled in, you can obtain cell phone service. There are several providers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon) with stores nearby.
When you first arrive, you will need to register your laptop and other electronic devices in order to access the Internet from anywhere on campus or in residential housing. Read “How to Register Your Device for Internet Access.”
If you are anticipating packages from home, be aware of the different carriers, their rates, and policies. Also, be mindful of how your new home address is reported on the packages. Check for the correct spellings and zip codes. To send items abroad, there is a nearby post office (United States Post Office) and FedEx Kinko store within walking distances.
I suggest you check your official UCI email frequently for official university communication and always use it to communicate with your program and professors.
Graduate InterConnect Blog
Check out the blog (https://ucirvinegradinterconnect.wordpress.com/) for more information to help your arrival preparation and to get know the Graduate InterConnect Mentors. There are some good posts on packing and where to buy items in and around Irvine. We will post different topics each week that include our personal experiences and tips.
I hope you found this information useful in your preparation to come to UCI. Let me know if you have other questions.
Sincerely,
Graduate InterConnect Peer Mentor
Graduate InterConnect Blog
Graduate Resource Center (GRC)
3100 Gateway Study Center
Graduate Division | UC Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697