Written by Devashish Kulkarni
Whether you’re coming from Tokyo or Sao Paulo, we’ve got you covered for the best swag and comfort for your arrival at UCI!
Hey, grads! Congratulations on getting into UCI! As all of you might have figured out at this point, we are located in the heart of southern California (SoCal as we call it here!) in Orange County. With just a few miles away from the exquisite beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the gorgeous snow-clad mountains on the other side, you really couldn’t ask for more. But whether you are coming somewhere from within the US, or someplace across the world, California captures every heart. Also, who wouldn’t want to look and feel their best amongst all your academic hustle?
Whenever I move to a new location, I like to carefully pick what I want to pack depending on what the essentials are, the weather, the general style trend, and of course how much luggage my airline allows! Believe it or not, I changed my entire wardrobe before moving to Irvine and my dad was not happy at the amount of his money that I spent.
Do what makes you happy. Anyway, while some people are so extra like me, others cannot shop for the items they need to take with them.
Lucky for you, I’ve been living in Irvine for the past two years and I know exactly what you will need, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting something important or worse, making a fashion faux pas!
So, whether you love shopping or not, this list is bound to leave you saying in the words of Katy Perry, ‘California girls, we’re undeniable, fine, fresh, fierce we got it on lock’
But before you start packing, here are a few things you’ll want to consider.
Weather in SoCal
Are you one of those people who like the weather where it’s sunny almost all year round, can get through summer with just one fan and an ice-cold drink, and just the right amount of nippy in winters to enjoy a nice hot chocolate out on the patio? If you don’t, well then, you’re different from the crowd my child. Just saying.
Weather in SoCal is mild almost all throughout the year. But although you might have heard that it is always sunny in SoCal, we do in fact have seasons. Just like we have our quarters at UCI. Summer temperatures can sometimes go as high as 95F (35 C) but are usually in the range of 75-85 F (25-30C) during the day. Perfect for you beach junkies, although I also prefer hanging a hammock between two trees in Aldrich park and taking a nice nap. But if you’re expecting sun in the winter/spring transition time, you may be disappointed. While there is no defined ‘rainy’ season, it does get cloudy and sometimes rains during winters.
California offers a wide temperature range when it comes to winters. Surprisingly to many, The Golden State actually see’s quite a bit of snowfall each and every year, with many spots perfect for skiing, hiking/snowshoeing, and more (hello, Lake Tahoe!). However, winters in SoCal are quite mild. The temperature does not fall below 45F (7C). So just throw on one thick jacket or another layer and you’re all set!
California style
Californians usually wear laid back and relaxed clothes on a daily basis. Usually the students wear layered clothes like T-shirts and jackets over jeans and a pair of sneakers. A classic look. You can put on a layer when you get in the air-conditioned classrooms or labs and peel it off when you get out in the sun! But it’s not always sandal season up in here! Most grad students who have to work in a lab need to wear full length pants and close toed shoes for safety reasons. But hey! If it gets too hot, you can always keep a spare pair of shorts in your office space!
Outside of the lab, the good news is you can really wear anything. For dressing up to go out in the evening, women often wear a cute sundress or jeans with a nice top. For guys, a button-down shirt and a nice pair of jeans are usually all you’ll need even at nice restaurants (although maybe for really nice restaurants you would feel more comfortable with a pair of slacks instead of jeans). But hey, to all my non-binary and LGBTQ+ friends, y’all can dress up any way you feel comfortable. SoCal is one of the most diverse and accepting places in the US. So, wear your pride, whip up that Jonathan Van Ness swag, and take out your new heels for a spin hunny! We love all of you!
The Grad school
If you are new to grad school in the US, you’re in for a roller coaster ride! It is going to be the busiest, most hectic but the most amazing years of your life. But we’re not here to live off of ramen noodles and raggedy T-shirts slaving off in the lab. You can make the most of your grad school experience and unpreparedness is the last thing anyone wants.
Being organized, having the essential supplies at hand for your day to day activities is essential for healthy graduate life. The things you need might be different for each person. That could be in terms of your dietary needs, your exercise schedule, your personal care, and even your faith. It is important to create a balanced routine in a way that promotes your personal as well as professional life. Par example, I need my infused water in summers to keep me hydrated, so I carry my bottle around everywhere. Also, I need my sticky note planner in my workspace otherwise I’ll forget to do everything. Period.
The Ultimate packing list for your transition to UCI!
Looking for the perfect UCI arrival packing list? Here’s all you need to bring with you as a grad student. You’re welcome.
Clothing
This really depends on your personal taste, but here are some must-haves. Also, this list is gender-neutral. So, feel free to pick whatever you like to wear.
5-6 Shirts: You can mix and match between casual short sleeve shirts, dressier shirts for formal occasions, and tank tops. Throw in some cute blouses in the mix too. I know 5-6 shirts seem less, but believe me, you’re going to shop when you get here.
5-6 T-shirts: For busier days, it’s nice to simply throw on a T-shirt and go to work. I’d recommend bringing 1 pair of neutral colors like black and white as they can pair well with any pants or jackets. But it’s okay to bring the ‘I ♡ Paris’ T-shirt you bought on your spring break to France in 2016. Plus, there are tons of opportunities to get or win free t-shirts on campus!
3 pairs of Jeans: Dark, faded, and ashy. End of discussion. Throw in some ripped jeans if you’re into that.
2-3 pairs of shorts and sweatpants: You can use them for the beach, at the gym, or just casually.
1-2 pairs of hiking clothes: There are plenty of hiking spots around, so if you happen to plan a trip, these will come in handy!
2-3 nice outfits: These can be evening dresses, cute rompers, pantsuits, blazers for formal occasions like parties, recruitment events, conferences, interviews, etc.
2-3 pairs of shoes: These can be casual wear like sneakers, running shoes, or dressier shoes for formal occasions. You can also bring Birkenstock sandals and/or flip flops and sliders.
2-3 Jackets: Bring a mix of denim jackets, hoodies, cardigans, trench coats, Pea coats, etc. Although you wouldn’t need thicker coats for SoCal climate, it’s good to have one if you happen to travel to a colder destination.
1 Rain jacket: As I mentioned before, Irvine does experience some rainfall during winter/springtime!
3-4 Pajamas: You’ll likely want shorts and short sleeve T-shirts/ tank tops for the warm months and long PJs for the colder months.
Socks/ Underwear: I’ll leave this to your discretion depending on how often you will want to do your laundry.
Accessories and Bag packs
1. Sunglasses: While they protect your eyes from the sun, it’s a fun way to flaunt your style!
2. Hats and/or caps: Always good to have around for the sun on campus or the beach
3. Workout accessories: Like lifting straps, knee pads, gym bags, etc.
4. Laptop bag
5. Crossbody bag: To keep your personal belongings safe while traveling (optional)
6. Folding umbrella
7. Watch
Toiletries and cosmetics
1. Toothbrush and toothpaste
2. Razors, trimmers
3. Shaving cream
4. Contacts
5. Contact lens solution
6. Floss
7. Tweezers
8. Nail Clippers
9. Sewing Kit
10. Face sunscreen and body sunscreen
11. Lip balm
12. Moisturizers
Electronics
1. Laptop
2. Charger and cable
3. Mobile phone (make sure you have an international plan)
4. Mobile phone charger
5. Headphones (if you have Bluetooth headsets, bring their chargers)
6. Travel adapter
7. Flashlight (a small one is fine)
8. External HDD
9. iPad or tablet (if you have one) and charger
10. Mouse
Medicines
Moving abroad is not a good time to test your health. If you are on a certain medication or used to taking over-the-counter medication, make sure you take as large a supply as possible. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your prescription for specific drugs. Here are some general medicines you can bring
1. Ibuprofen
2. Dramamine (motion sickness pills)
3. Mosquito spray
4. Allergy medicine
5. Pepto Bismol
6. Prescription medications
7. Band-Aids
8. Basic first aid kit
9. Ointment for cuts and bruises like Neosporin
10. Diclofenac Ointment or spray
Important Documents
Having all the personal documentation is important while moving to a new country. Make sure you have the original and a copy of all of these important documents for yourself and each of your family members traveling with you. Forgetting any of these items can result in issues ranging from denial to enter the country or loss of academic status
1. Visa information
2. I20 and UCI acceptance letter
3. Academic records and certificates
4. Marriage license
5. Birth certificates
6. Passports
7. Immunization records
8. Medical records
9. Pet health records
10. Travel insurance paperwork
11. Credit Cards
12. All other documents required by the US Department of Homeland Security and UCI.