Post Created by Varshini Bhaskaran, 2021 GIC Peer Mentor
Firstly, Congratulations on your admissions to UCI and welcome to the Anteater family. Zot, Zot, Zot!
Moving across countries can be stressful. The pandemic that is still affecting many countries can only add fuel to this fire. In this blog post, I will be outlining a few things to consider while you pack for your big move.
1. First and foremost, check the baggage restrictions with the airline that you would be traveling with. Most airlines have a restriction of 50lbs/23kgs for check-in baggage. Try and stick to this restriction so as to avoid the hassle of extra charge for overweight baggage. A few airlines, such as ‘Air India’ in India, give F1 students scholarships through which they can carry the first 3 checked bags for free. I would recommend that you look for such offers and leverage these scholarships.
2. Identify the list of items that you can carry. For example, most food items are not allowed to be transported into the US. Be very cautious about what you can bring. This can save you a lot of time during the baggage check processes in the airport. One suggestion is to label any food item that you bring in English.
3. Employ folding techniques to save space in your baggage. You might want to segregate your clothes and other items such as permitted food, toiletries to ensure nothing spills on your clothes. While we are on that subject, also ensure to seal liquid items properly so that they do not open under the pressure at high altitudes. Also remember to distribute the load equally across your baggage to keep the weight in check.
4. Sanitizers and masks are a must during this time. Have enough for at least the first few days while you quarantine here in the US. If you plan to carry general medicines, which I recommend you do, remember to have the doctor’s prescription with it. Also, carry a small first aid kit which can come in handy during emergencies.
5. Have multiple(at least 2-3 copies) of important documents(your I-20, admissions letters, etc.) sealed and have a copy in your hand or luggage/carry-on baggage. You should have it easily accessible when asked at the immigration point. It is advisable to leave a copy of such documents with a trusted person back home. Also, carry a set of clothes in your carry-on baggage. Flights to the US can be long and you may want a change of clothes in any unexpected event such as your checked bags being lost. Though such scenarios are rare, it is better to be safe than sorry.
6. Carry some cash in U.S. Dollars in addition to anything that you may have loaded on your card. Also, remember to check the amount you are allowed to bring. The emergency cash will help you with travel from the airport to your location in Irvine.
7. SoCal’s weather is mostly warm, mostly ranging from 47°F to 82°F. However, it can be cold for students traveling from countries with high average temperatures. I would suggest that you pack clothes expecting both the variations and dress up in layers.
8. Finally, remember you would be away from your family for a long time, given the uncertainty of things with the pandemic. I highly recommend that you carry items that are of personal value to you 🙂
I hope you have a great journey at UCI and a safe trip!