Travelling Tips
Arrange for your flight as soon as you know your report date. Your college or university can assist you with information about your arrival, including the distance from the airport to the campus and the most reliable form of transportation. Find out in advance how to get from the airport to the campus. In most cases, you will take a bus or shuttle van to the campus or to the city or town closest to the campus. Do not take a taxi unless the distance is quite short or you have been advised to do so by your institution. Ask the cost of the trip before getting into the taxi.
Once you have reached your campus, visit the foreign-student office as soon as possible. The location of that office and its hours should appear in the information sent to you before your arrival. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Plan ahead, so that you know where to go if you arrive at night or on the weekend. The international student office can recommend convenient and inexpensive places to stay. At most U.S. airports you will find a display of information about local hotels and motels.
You can expect to experience fatigue and other physical symptoms due to long-distance travel and time changes. Be well rested at the start of your trip and take care of details in advance. Eat lightly and drink plenty of water the day before you travel.
Prepare for changes in temperature by wearing several layers of clothing that can be removed or added as needed. Keep your passport, travel documents, and money with you at all times. Keep important papers in your carry-on luggage, with photocopies in your other baggage. Label your baggage inside and out with your name and both your home and U.S. addresses and telephone numbers. Use the address and phone number of the international student office, if necessary. To prevent inconvenience in the case of lost luggage, keep in your carry-on luggage all of the items you would need for one night’s emergency stay in a hotel.
Toward the end of your flight, the airline personnel will give you several forms to complete for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Customs. It is forbidden to bring certain items into the United States (for example, fruits, vegetables, drugs, firearms). You will be asked to report the value of the things you are bringing into the United States. Simply follow the directions on the forms. If necessary, ask the flight attendant for clarifications.
Present your passport, visa, I-20 or IAP-66 form, and evidence of financial support to the U.S. immigration officer at the airport. After questioning you about your plans in the United States, the immigration officer will decide how long you will be allowed to stay. After this, you will be directed to the Customs Service for inspection of your baggage.
Welcome to the United States!
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