Complete List of Things to Carry to the USA for Students
This article discusses the simplest ways in which the United States is advised to carry and what not to carry.
I still haven’t forgotten when I first came to the United States as an international student, where I packed a lot of extra stuff into three full bags of 33kg. Where most were unnecessary which did not need to be carried. Because of misinformation and poor direction, I took on more things than I needed.
Usually, most of us come to the United States for the first time making such a mistake because of the lack of proper guidelines. When we first think of going to the United States and everything is finalized, we think of how expensive everything is in the United States, the cost of our country is very high according to our country’s currency, so we try to take everything out of our country.
Let’s face it, the US average wage compares to the average wage in India. Prices are relative. You just have to carry those kinds of things that are not available in the US or things are very expensive.
In fact, as a student, you either live with few people anywhere in a shared apartment or you sleep alone in student dorms. When you live in student dorms you don’t need any things related to the kitchen. Care items and clothing are important.
I’ve been working on the list of products to bring from the websites of various Indian Students Organizations, but it’s not updated to say specifically what stuff to purchase in the U.S. and while still planning in India.
List of Items to Pack to the USA:
| Dress & Cloth | |||
| Item | Qty | Unit | Remark |
| Shirt casual | 6 | pcs | Casual shirts are more commonly worn than formal shirts, so the amount of casual shirts is better than a formal shirt. |
| Shirt- formal | 3 | pcs | It is best to wear formal shirts during official or presentation |
| T-shirt | 10 | pcs | I’m more comfortable wearing a t-shirt than a shirt, |
| Coat and Suit – Formal | 2 | pcs | It is also best to wear formal shirts during official or presentation |
| Shorts/ 3/4ths | 6 | pcs | |
| Jens | 4 | pcs | I don’t like wearing shoes. I’m going ahead with Jeans |
| Pant | 4 | pcs | |
| Belt | 2 | pcs | Leather is expensive in the U.S. |
| Formal Shoes | 2 | pcs | |
| Sandal | 1 | pair | It’s cheap here but when you enter here, you’ll need it. |
| Wallet | 1 | pcs | Get a new one before you travel |
| Winter wears | Don’t buy an Indian winter coat. Sweater, coats, and so on, are inexpensive when on sale. | ||
| Leather Jacket | Prefer leather over a winter jacket. Jackets-from $20 to $75 | ||
| Sports Shoes + Socks | 1 | pair | Nike, Nike, Rebook … all inexpensive. I got Nike for $18; they’re cheap socks. |
| Personal Essential Thing | |||
| Item | Qty | Unit | Remark |
| Soap | 1 | pcs | First a few days you use it. |
| Wash Detergent | pcs | You don’t carry detergents from India. You are wasting your space/weight. | |
| Combs | 1 or 2 | pcs | |
| Hair Oil | 100 to 200ml | pcs | Pack it well, because it is a leak. |
| Nail cutter | 1 | pcs | Pack in Check-In Bag |
| Small scissors | 1 | pcs | Pack in Check-In Bag |
| Tooth Brush | 1 | pcs | enough |
| Shaving Kit | 1 | pcs | Bring is depend on your uses |
| After Shave | 1 | pcs | Bring is depend on your uses |
| Napkin/Hand Kerchiefs | 6-10 | pcs | Depending on your need. |
| Safety pins, Sewing kit | No | pcs | No need |
| Shampoo | No | pcs | They’re cheap there and saves weight. |
| Towels | 2-3 | pcs | 1 – Thin towels made from cotton. 2 towels light in weight. |
| Perfume – Deodorant | 1 | pcs | Since running out you can get it here for cheap. |
| Mirror | 1 | pcs | A small mirror you can carry |
| Tooth Paste | 1 | pcs | For one diminutive. The same brands (Colgate, Close-up, etc.) are available but with varying preferences. |
| Razor Blades | Few | pcs | The shaving kit is cheap. |
| Blanket | 2 | pcs | 1-Spread the bed. Choose American Comforter or Plush Blankets ($20) |
| Pillow | At Walmart, the pillow costs $4 per | ||
| Songs CD | No | You can download songs here, | |
| BackPack | Yes | To carry books and on trips. | |
| Alarm Clock | Yes/No | No need | |
| Cell Phone | 1 | pcs | |
| Pen, Pencil, Glue, Cello Tape | Few | Use some ink, pencil, and highlighter but there’s plenty to find them here. | |
| Calculator | No | In the USA, science calculators look different. |
| Kitchen/Cooking | |||
| Item | Qty | Unit | Remark |
| Instant Food Packets (Noodles) | Few | India | Takes some ready food |
| Vegetable Cutting Board | It’s an additional weight. | ||
| Cups and Bowls | Get one or 2 small bowls, but not many. | ||
| Plates | Plates will be used in a microwave. You can bring 1 plate, but don’t bring more than one. | ||
| Pressure Cooker | 1 (3 to 7 liters) | Don’t forget to bring a pressure cooker, also get extra weight, a valve. | |
| Indian Masala/Spices | Seek to get the limit. Masala products are available, but they don’t taste the same as the cooking of your mom. | ||
| Rice, Dhal, etc. | No need | ||
| Frying Pans | No need | ||
| Serrated Knife | 1 | The knife isn’t cheap in the U.S. to Get a small one. | |
| Spoon, Fork | No need | ||
| Elachi, Clove, Cinnamon, | Few | Available in Indian grocery stores in the U.S. | |
| Garam Masala | Small pack | Available in an Indian grocery store in the U.S. | |
| Chilli Powder | 1-2 kgs | Available in Indian grocery stores in the U.S. |
| Medical Files/Medicines | |||
| Item | Qty | Unit | Remark |
| Fever/Cold Tablets | 20 to 30 tablets | Tylenol cost around $4 for a fever. You can shop at any pharmacy or at Walmart. | |
| Eyeglasses/Contact Lens | 2 Pairs | Here the eyeglasses are incredibly costly. I’ve paid $225 for one pair of eyeglasses for an Eye Warranty. In India, the same should have cost Rs4,000. And, if you’re wearing contacts, make sure you get 2 more at least |
Here the eyeglasses are incredibly costly. I’ve paid $225 for one pair of eyeglasses for an Eye Warranty. In India, the same should have cost Rs4,000. And, if you’re wearing contacts, make sure you get 2 more at least
Generally, as everyone has written, “be a Roman while you are in Rome.” Likewise, ‘acting like an American (at least smart in lifestyle) while in Canada.’ Make sure you don’t have too much substance that’s not desired while you’re packing for the USA. To get along well with the fashion and trend in the US, it is sensible to buy clothes and other things here.
Lastly, I would like to suggest that it is best not to take unnecessary things when going to America. Thank you very much for reading the topics carefully at the end and I would like to inform you that I will come up with more important topics later.
