What’s in my bag 01.05.2011

Text Books: Carry all your essential textbooks with you. These are extremely important and useful but are very expensive in the US. Most students in the US borrow books from the library to cut down costs. But, having your copy surely works out very convenient and sometimes is necessary.

Documents: Check all your relevant documents at least 5 times before leaving. Also, keep all your documents with you in your carry-on baggage. Maintain one photocopy of each set of documents in every baggage that you are carrying.

Winter Jacket: Depending on where you are going, you need a warm winter jacket for sub-zero temperatures. Such jackets for bitter cold are difficult to find in India, but you do find sub-zero jackets that can provide you a great respite, pick a cheap one as you will find better options once you go. In the US, you may choose to buy another which ranges from 50$ to 80$.

Gloves: Again depending on where you are going, you should consider buying a pair of waterproof gloves that will work in the bitter cold with rain.

Mufflers: Buy a pair of mufflers to stay protected from sheer winters.

Woollen Sweaters: Carrying two full sleeves sweaters are advisable. You may buy more as per the need from there. Consider buying a good quality one.

Monkey cap: Buy one which is very warm.

Windcheater: Buy one of these as soon as you land. Don’t buy them in India.

T-Shirts: keep some casual t-shirts that you can wear on a daily basis on the campus. You can keep some 6 to 8 t-shirts. Remember that buying clothes in the US is cheap if you look in the right places, don’t over use your baggage weight on clothes.

Jeans: Just buy one or two as you get cheaper jeans in the US. Good quality jeans may cost about 12$ to 15$ and are available everywhere. The jeans in the US are a little thicker as well.

Shorts: Depending on where you are going carry a couple of pairs.

Formal Shirts: Carry three to four cotton shirts as they are required only for presentation and interviews. Make you’re to take a crisp white shirt; you can never have too many of those.

Formal Trousers: Keep one or two as these are rarely used on formal occasions. You should know that these are on the expensive side in the US.

Ties: Just carry one or two, and that should serve the purpose.

Socks: 8 to 10 pairs should be carried as laundry is usually done once in two weeks. Cotton socks are preferable over the nylon ones.

Handkerchiefs: Carry about 10.

Blazer: Carry one as it is needed only on formal occasions. Make sure to get it as a set with your formal pants. Get one that fits you well.

One Air Pillow

Formal wear for ladies: The formal skirt/trouser with formal shirt/blazer is a good option to carry. The fashion accessories won’t be of much use as the fashion sense is much different in the US than in India.

Undergarments: You must carry at least 10 to 12 pairs as the laundry is usually done once in a week or once in 10 days or so.

Thermal Wear: Carry two or more.

Nightwear: Carry a few shorts or pyjamas and T-shirts.

Traditional Wear: All major Indian festivals are celebrated in the US, and hence one pair of traditional dress should be carried.

Formal Shoes: One pair of good leather shoes with very strong grip is recommended. You may have to walk over the snow sometimes, and for that, you need shoes with very good grip else you may end up breaking your bones.

Sneakers: Good quality sturdy ones are needed for wearing on a daily basis. The cheap ones are available in the US for 10 to 15$, but it is advisable to buy good quality shoes as you must walk a lot. You should be able to get good ones in the US. Don’t waste space for this.

Floaters: Carry one pair

Chappals: Carry one pair

Belts: Carry one formal and one or two casual ones.

Track Suits/Shorts: If you are inclined towards sports than carry more than 1set, else one is enough.