Hello, and welcome to Saluki country ! It is great to know that you have chosen SIUC as your next school. We're pretty sure that Carla and her wonderful team at the International Students Office have already given you a lot of useful information for your impending voyage. We want to provide you with our own desi suggestions, primarily to help you benefit from our experiences of crossing the seven seas and avoid our mistakes. We'll first start with the stuff that you need to pack and the things you need to do before you leave India followed by how to have a stress-free arrival at SIUC. We then progress to what you will need to do after arriving in Carbondale and settling comfortably.
Packing
You will soon find that there have a zillion things that you can carry but the space you have is limited. Carry only as much as you can manage. Most airlines allow up to 64 kgs as checked-in baggage and another 8 kg as cabin luggage (these are upper limits). Some essential items that you will need to consider getting are:
Books
Textbooks are really expensive out here. So buy all the books that you think that you would like to study out here. Try to contact your advisor or someone in your department to find out what books are used for the typical courses. Get all the good general reference books that you already have. Optional: dictionary, scientific calculator, cookbooks, etc. Books, unfortunately, will also be the heaviest portion of your luggage, so choose wisely, buddy!
Clothing
Jeans/shorts and T-shirts are standard wear here. Shirts and trousers (and ties) are not so common. Get what you feel comfortable in. A disadvantage of shirts and trousers is that that they have to be ironed after the heavy wash/dry cycles of the laundry machines. Do not get too much clothing. Firstly, most people gain weight after arriving here since food (especially cheese, chocolates and ice-cream!) is so cheap and plentiful. Secondly, the "trendy" clothing here is as out of phase with the threads back home as the respective Standard Times are. Thirdly, jeans and T-shirts are pretty cheap here. Suits would not be worn till you have your first job interview or major presentation, often around a year or more later. Most people buy this when they visit home the first time, which usually occurs earlier than their first need for a suit. Even otherwise, suits are not a must for interviews and unless you have one we suggest that you don't buy one. Traditional wear is a matter of choice, though it is hardly required for guys. Ladies probably might want to get a few salwar-suits, a couple of saris and/or any other traditional apparel. Laundry is usually done every two weeks though some with enthu do it every week and some seldom do it once a month. So get enough underclothes, socks, shirts/Tees, jeans etc. to last you 2-3 weeks. The more underwear and socks you get, the better. Winters in carbondale are pretty cold with about 6 inches of snow. It is advisable to bring couple of sweater and a medium jacket. Winter wear is cheaper and better here. The interiors are weather-controlled anyway. A couple of towels, napkins, a leather belt, and hankies should round out most of what you need. Leather items are terribly expensive here, hence get your supply of leather goods.
Footwear
Sneakers, good formal leather shoes (which are much cheaper in India), chappals/sandals, hawai slippers with extra straps will all be useful. Again depends on what you feel comfortable in.
Linen
2 single bed size bedsheets, a couple of pillow covers and a light blanket. The blanket can be left if space/weight is a consideration. They are available quite cheap here. Do not get too much linen. The beds here are usually larger than the beds back home, and the bed sheets and bedspreads that you get from home fit very poorly. Its better to buy these items here.
Utensils
Almost all graduate students cook in their apartments. So you will need all the basic stuff needed for cooking. A large (for 3-4 people) pressure cooker with spare gaskets and safety valves is probably the most important kitchen item you can get. A 3 liter one should be sufficient but you might want to consider a larger size. Get at least one steel vessel to cook vegetables in. Either a pan or a deep bottom vessel. There are a lot of non-stick cookware available here but it is not very cheap (unless bought second-hand). Consider getting dinner plates, small plates, spoons, tumblers, knife, forks, (all these either 1 or 2), cooking tongs, tea strainer, ladles for serving, sauce pan, frying pan. Plastic spoons, knives and forks are very cheap at the local grocery stores, and need not be packed. A cup, a glass, and a bowl (both microwave-able) should provide the rest of what you need. Or you might want to get steel plates and glass and buy the microwave-able stuff here. Get a couple of larger spoons for serving/cooking. Basically, ask your mom as to what all is essential and/or useful for the type of cooking that you are going to do.
Foodstuffs
Condiments and spices, small quantities of standard masalas, sambar and curry powders, pickles, and some sweets (for us!) are recommended. Pack everything REALLY well, especially the oily and/or pungent stuff (like pickles), otherwise your clothes will look and smell like dish-rags at a dhaba! Almost everything is available at the International grocery stores but you might consider some of the stuff for starters. Do not bother getting daal, rice, flour etc. They are quite cheap here and there is no need to increase the weight.Get the following in small quantities so that you don't have to ask for a ride to the Indian store on the very first day: tea leaves, instant coffee powder, dhania powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seeds, jeera (cumin), heeng (asafoetida) etc. (whatever you think you'll use in your cooking).
Cosmetics
Toothbrush and paste, comb/brush, twin-blade based shaving kit, nail-cutter, cold cream, lipsticks, powders, make-up, etc. Shampoos and deodorants can be purchased here, unless you have brand preferences. Hair oil if you use it.
Medicines
Your favorite medicines for minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomach-ache, etc. and any other personal medication, antiseptic cream. If you need corrective vision, two spare pairs of glasses or contact lenses as the case might be, is strongly recommended. A doctor's prescription is required to buy spectacles and contact lenses here and the doctor's fees are exorbitant and the insurance does not cover eyesight. So get your eyes checked before leaving.Get all your personal medical history papers, especially the results of a complete medical checkup. This will save you the cost of a medical check-up and vaccinations here, which can cost around $20.
Money
For off-campus housing you'll be required to pay an initial deposit (one month's rent at least) in advance. Plus you'll have initial expenses in settling down. This all can add up to around $1000. If one has financial aid, it usually takes about a month (or a month & a half) to get the first paycheck. An initial safe amount to bring is about $1500. If the need arises, you can (and should) borrow some money from senior friends/relatives/us (notice how we put ourselves last!). It is also possible to get loans for decent amounts of dough ($1000 to 5000 and more) from local banks and credit unions. Traveler's checks and personal drafts are easy to use and should pose no problem at all.
Other
Needles, sewing thread, spare buttons, scissors, photos of deities (if religious-minded), family photos, music cassettes, cd's, ethnic stuff as gifts or personal use, an up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances, friends and relatives in the USA-Canada region. Get lots of cassettes if you are interested. Don't even think of getting electronics like radios and cameras. You'll get far better goods here, though you will have to save a little for them. Don't bring any electrical appliances as the domestic supply voltage is 110 volts, 60hz instead of 220volts, 50hz as in India. In summary, we would recommend that you concentrate on your choice of books, and get a good pressure cooker. Linen, most clothing and some cutlery (spoons, etc.) is best bought here after your arrival. However, please remember that these are only suggestions to help you make informed decisions on your packing. In the end, trust your mom's (and your own) judgment and common sense. Top
Last Minute Stuff
Get your medical exam done. Check your eyesight and visit your dentist (ouch!). Get spare spectacles/contacts. The Health Center accepts forms filled in India, even those by private doctors. Make arrangements with a contact in Carbondale/St. Louis who can pick you up from the airport on your arrival and/or put you up for a few days. Keep their phone numbers handy incase you need to call them from the airport. Take a crash course in driving (!). Learn cooking. Ask Mom for all her secret recipes. Get a good haircut. Haircuts here cost around $11. Teach your parents to use e-mail !!!
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Arriving at Carbondale
After arriving at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)/Chicago O'Hare International Airport most people who have friends/relatives in St. Louis/Chicago/Carbondale usually are picked up by these friends/relatives and stay with them for the first few days. If you do not belong to this category however, you could try the following: Try to make friends with any of the current students of SIUC or contact any one from the contact list. If that person is willing to pick you up from the airport then give him/her your arrival date, time, airline name and flight number and keep close contact with that person and let him/her know about your journey again at least 2 days before your arrival. If you haven't had the opportunity to have made any contact with anyone here you can still arrive at Carbondale with minimal trouble. You could take advantage of the Bart Service or the Greyhound as both has services to Carbondale.
Phone no.: Bart - 1-(800)-284-2278 Greyhound Bus Lines - 1-(800)-229-9424
Making phone calls from airports
You can make phone calls from the toll free phones at the airport. Have some change handy. There are coin dispensing machines in the airport where you can exchange $1, $5, $20 bills for change. If you have any 1-800 number, it is free and so you can dial from any phone without any payment. Usually all public phones have numbers. So to save money you can contact your party and give him/her the public phone number. Stay near the phone and expect your call.
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Housing
Housing is available both on campus and off campus. In general, the Master's students stay off campus sharing an apartment with fellow Indian students. Students under the age of 21 please check the University Housing Policy. There were quite a few university approved housing facilities like dorms within a block from the campus. There is also on campus housing facility available. Indian students generally stay off campus with other fellow Indians which is more economical than on campus housing. Students under the age of 21 can stay off campus with university approval. In general, the rent for a two bedroom apartment is around $500. Efficiencies which are meant for one person range around $225. For off campus housing, visit the campus news paper Daily Egyptian. For on campus housing, visit SIUC's Housing Information.
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Settling in Carbondale
Once you reach Carbondale and have a place to stay, you will probably want to do most of the following pretty soon.
Visiting the International Students Services
The first item on your agenda is to visit the International Students Services Building. Take your passport, I-20, offer letter and I-94 with you. They will make a photocopy of the documents and return the originals to you. You can give them your local address if you have already moved into your apartment. Always update your address and phone number with the International Center whenever you move. You also need to update your address and phone number with the Graduate School once you are sure of your dwellings.
University Identity Card
The University Identity card is given in the Student Center near the bookstore. The card is free. They will take your photograph and give you the identity card immediately. Don't bring any passport size photographs as they are not accepted here.
Enrolling for Classes
Check Graduate School for the last date for enrollment.
Employment Information
You need to meet the administrative assistant in your department and fill out the necessary forms for your employment. Fix up an appointment with Jan Taylor at Miles Hall in coordination with the assistant from your department and complete the legal formalities. These are required if you are getting paid by the University.
Student Health Information
It is important that you have proper health insurance. Graduate students at SIUC are automatically covered by a health insurance policy. You just need to submit a medical history form and a physical examination for the records of the Student Health Center.
Visiting the Office of Admissions and Records
The Office of Graduate Students located in Woody Hall need to see that you actually completed your previous degree. Take your original Bachelor/Master's degree certificate to their office. They will make a photocopy for their records and return the original to you.
Library Account
You can open your library account by going to the Morris Library or the Science Library. There are no separate cards for the library. The student ID is used for issuing books. You can access your circulation records over the internet. Select a PIN for this when you fill up the necessary form in the library.
Email Account
All students at SIUC may have an account with their central computing facility at Faner Hall.
Bank Account
It is convenient to open a checking account, especially if you wish to make payments by check. The bank will usually provide you with a free set of 50 checks if you open both a checking and savings account with them. Most checking accounts have have no monthly fee. Banks also provide Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards that allow you to withdraw money around the clock. Almost all transactions can be done at the ATM machines obviating the need to go to the banks. All banks will accept the Traveler's checks that you got from India.Be prepared to show your passport, documents to prove student status at SIU, and a Social Security Number (SSN). You usually will not have a SSN at this time. Tell the bank you will apply for it, and inform the bank when you do receive one. When you sign up for an account, ask them about their monthly fees for services and any surcharges applicable.First National Bank or SIU Credit Union Bank should be a good choice for all siuc students. You can open your account during the orientation week at their desk near the Student Center. If you miss the opportunity to open a bank account during the orientation week at the Student Center stalls, you can either ask for a ride to one of the nearby banks.
Credit Card:A credit card is a convenient method of payment and saves you the trouble of always carrying enough cash around or carrying your checkbook everywhere. It also is very helpful in enabling one to live beyond one's means! International students sometimes have problems getting approved for a credit card since they lack a credit history and are not usually residents of the US. Some cards have yearly fees. Be sure to find out about any annual fees or surcharges for any service. The American Express Optima Card offers free membership for students. These cards help one build up a credit history. The Optima Card provides good coupon deals for traveling by air within the US. Keep an eye out for credit card application forms during orientation week. Try to get a Visa or a MasterCard since they are accepted at more locations than any other cards. It is easier for students to get credit cards so pick up the student application forms that will be in plenty all around the campus in the first few months of fall quarter. Hey ! you can also grab lot of T-shirts, candies and phone cards for FREE when you apply for the credit cards and if you are really lucky maybe a mini calculator ( like I did !! ).
Telephone Connection:The local telephone company in Carbondale is GTE. (Local telephone companies provide the phone connection and handle local calls. Long distance companies handle inter-state and international calls). Call GTE at 1-800-CALL-GTE to request a telephone connection. Be prepared to answer quite a few questions on your social security number, the correct street address of your apartment, your choice of long distance company, repair plans, etc. If you don't have this yet but have a room-mate who has, ask him/her to set up the connection on his/her nameThe operator will ask you to choose a long distance company from among AT&T, MCI, or Sprint. But the companies offer seasonal deals of discounted rates that may affect your choice. Keep on the lookout for the deals and ask other guys about their current rates to India. Phone-bills form a major portion of your monthly expenditure so be careful in choosing your long-distance carrier. After you choose a long distance carrier, you may change it at any time for a fee of $5. (This fee is usually borne by the company you switch to). Long distance companies are very competitive so the customer is the king. Therefore demand good service. (For economics buffs, such a market is called oligopolistic).Buy a touch-tone phone and plug it into the jack in your apartment. This might be required for testing during the installation of the connection. Your phone should be connected in about 3 working days. It is also extremely convenient to possess an answering machine. Some phones come with integrated answering machines.Urgent phone calls can be made from any of the public phones. You will usually need quarters and dimes (coins of denomination 25 cents and 10 cents, respectively) for this purpose. Instructions for the use of the public phones are displayed on the phones themselves. To dial from a public phone, first dial the number. You will then hear an automated voice tell you how much you have to pay. Deposit the required amount. Your number will be connected once you have deposited the coins. (This info may be useful if you have to call from St. Louis or Marion Airport or Amtrak Railway Station or Chicago O'Hare Airport). Public phones also have the phone directory and yellow pages for the local area attached to them. You may also want to find out about calling cards. NOTE: While speaking to Customer Service Representatives of Companies make sure that you note down the representative's name, date and time and the purpose of your call. Make sure that you have the right calling plan to Indian since various companies have different calling plans to India.
Social Security Card:You will need to get a Social Security number for almost anything associated with money - your bank accounts, tax returns, credit cards, salary payments, phone connection, etc. To apply for a card, visit the Federal Building. Be prepared to show your passport with a valid visa stamp, valid I-20 and I-94 and a letter from the International Student Center that confirms that you are a bonafide student of SIU. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get the card in mail but if you call them at 1-800-772-1213 they will tell you the number after a week or so.
On-Campus Shuttle:If you would rather not walk, you can use the on-campus free BECK bus service to commute.
Change of Address:The local Post Office is on University Mall .You can fill out the Change of Address Card (available in the Post Office) whenever you move. The postal department will forward all your mail to the new address. Change your address with the Grad. School and International Students Services also.
Sports Facilities:The campus recreation facilities are located at Recreation Center. The orientation week brochure will list the details and facilities. You may want to join the guys for a daily swim or serve in the tennis courts or whack the racquet-ball.
Other Miscellaneous StuffGroceries: Wal-Mart Super center is the closest cheap grocery store.
Spices: Daals, spices, pickles, cooker, etc. can be found in International grocery stores .
Clothes: You can get stuff like clothes, shoes, phone-set, etc. from Wal-Mart or the University Mall. And finally some random last minute tips to settling down fast in the US
When an American says "Sorry?", s/he hasn't quite understood you and means "Excuse me/Beg your pardon". Don't complicate the misunderstanding by saying "It's okay, you are pardoned"! At the checkout counter: "Paper or plastic?" means you should say whether you want your goodies packed in paper bags or plastic ones. "For here or to go?" asks whether you are eating the food there in the store or are taking it out with you. Toilets are called Restrooms. All US currency notes look alike. Be careful when you hand over cash. "Keep your eyes open wide and your wits on the ready!".
GOOD LUCK ! |
