Indian Students Association @ kansas state university

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Information For New Students

Thigns to do before departure

1. Learn typing. It is a personal choice as you would be using lot of computers over here.

2. Learn driving. It is easy to get driving license if you know driving already. For driving, first there is a written exam called IP (Instructional Permit) and after clearing it you can give DL (Driving License).

3. Learn to cook. This is helpful because wherever you live you will have to cook; usually if you are living with roommates then you will have turns to cook. Also, learning cooking will save you some money.

4. Make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20. Check your passport expiry date and make sure it is more than your I-20.

5. Make outstation purchases (sweater, thermal underwear, cassettes). If you are coming in summer you may not need it immediately. Winter clothing is required mostly from November- February.

6. Have a complete medical checkup done. Do not go for TB testing in India as this test will be performed when you come here and if you have already taken it then you will come positive for it. For TB testing, carry chest X-Ray in case you come positive then you can show it. X-Ray is expensive in US.

7. Medicines: Get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments (the technical name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name). Ailments like cold, cough, headache, inhalers, pain killers, fever, constipation, and diarrhea. Bring the medicines in bulk (If you are having some specific illness), as they are expensive in US.

8. Get your eyesight checked - get a new prescription. Buy at least one extra pair of glasses, lenses. Your eye insurance is not covered by the University and eye-check up is very expensive.

*9. Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR). Fill in the Health and Immunization record form that has been sent to you with the I-20 packet.

10. Get a copy of your syllabus along, as sometimes you may end up having prerequisites and you could waive it by proving you have covered such topics as usually the course requirements may be covered by parts in the courses we do.

11. You require your provisional or degree completion certificate (sometimes they do not accept a provisional from some universities), which has to be submitted at the graduate college. So if you happen to come here as soon as you graduate apply for it.

12. You can get an international driving license, if you are coming to visit your spouse or would be having a car.

13. Contact Indian Student Association for temporary accommodation and ask them about arrival on the campus. (On Kansas City International Airport you have to pay 1.5-3.00 $ in the form of cents for taking cart which will carry your luggage. So keep change in the form of cents with you or you can get from the shops inside the airport terminal).

14. Keep the all contact details of persons who are going to pick you up or the telephone number of roadrunner or Bus Company, which are taking you to campus. Toll free number of KCI roadrunner is 1 800-826-8294. There are phone booths at the airport through which you can contact a person in US. All you need is quarters (25 cents), so keep some quarters with you. The instructions on how to make a call are written on the telephone booth. It is advised to call someone from your port of entry in US so that they can come and pick you up.

Finally things to be left at home.

Copies of book containing addresses of friends & relatives (as mentioned in 18)
Photocopies of original documents (mentioned in 15) and copies of passport with visa and any other endorsements if any.
Medical history file (Photocopies)
Few blank signed papers.
Passport size photos.
Photocopy of Issue slip of traveler’s checks.