Arriving in the United States

2014

Arriving in the
United States
e-Guide
volume II

WES Student Advisor

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This publication is available at wesstudentadvisor.org

Arriving in the United States

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................3
Your Acceptance Letter....................................................................................3
Finances, Visa, and Housing.............................................................................3
Prepare Your Financial Documents............................................................3
Prepare Your Visa Documents...................................................................4
Review Your Housing Plans.......................................................................4
Pre-Flight Preparation.......................................................................................5
Arrival in the U.S...............................................................................................6
Learn Your Neighborhood.................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................7
Resources........................................................................................................7

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Arriving in the United States

Introduction
Congratulations on becoming a study abroad student in the United States! The world awaits you,
and your potential is limitless. For those of you beginning your studies in the U.S. for the first time,
WES Student Advisor has put together a guide to help you prepare for your arrival in the U.S.

Your Acceptance Letter

Now that you have received your acceptance letter, you now need to read every sentence of it
carefully. Most schools will have notified you online and will also send you an official communication
via postal mail. In your acceptance package, make sure to note a couple of items:
Financial aid package
Visa processing
Housing
International Student Advisor contact
Vaccinations and health insurance
If your acceptance letter does not list some of these items, make sure to contact your international
student advisor who will be at the university you plan to attend. They should be able to answer
any questions and guide you through the process of arriving in the U.S.

Finances, Visa, and Housing

Now that you have reviewed your acceptance letter and have the contact information for your
international student advisor, the next step is to prepare your finances, start your visa process
and review your housing options.

Prepare Your Financial Documents

With your acceptance letter, you should have received the expected cost of tuition with living
expenses. If you received a scholarship or financial aid, this information should also be included.
If you did not receive any scholarships, do not assume that you will find financial assistance
once you arrive. You will need to make sure that you have adequate funds for your tuition and
living costs. Some costs that you should consider and create a budget around are:

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Tuition and fees

Rent
Food (often called board)
Health insurance and medical costs
Books and course supplies
Transportation
Communications (cell phone and e-mail)
Clothing
Personal expenses
Recreation
Furniture
Travel
Taxes
Expenses for dependents

Prepare Your Visa Documents

Now that you have been admitted, the U.S. university should have provided you with an I-20
form. Get your financial documents and visa documents ready. With this form, you will now
need to schedule a visa interview at your local U.S. Embassy or consulate. Make sure to visit
the U.S. Embassy website for more detailed information. Here are some of the steps you will
need to take:
Complete the online visa application
Schedule an interview
Gather required documentation
Attend your visa interview
Get your F-1/J-1 Student Visa

Review Your Housing Plans

Depending on the university and program level you will be attending, the housing options
will differ. Some universities will require that you live on campus while others may give you
the option for off-campus housing. For on-campus housing make sure to note deadlines for
submitting your interest. Once you are assigned to a housing unit, you will also be asked to
send in a deposit. Here are some guidelines when deciding on your housing:

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Check with your international student advisor about housing

Research cost of on-campus and off-campus housing
Decide on a housing option
Submit housing deposit
Arrive early to finalize housing

Pre-Flight Preparation
Packing for the U.S.
Depending on which region of the U.S. you will be studying in, the amount and types of items
you will need will vary. For instance, if you will be in a region with four seasons, you will need to
prepare for all types of weather conditions. However, if you are in a warmer region, you may not
need as many items. Be sure to connect to a U.S. specific weather site to get regular updates
of local climate conditions where you will be staying. Here are some items to bring with you:
Airline ticket
Passport
I-20 or DS-2019
Evidence of financial support in the amount shown on your I-20 or DS-2019 form
Documentation of your permanent residence in your home country
Extra passport-size photographs
Official transcripts (or certified copies of them) for all secondary and post-secondary studies
Medical and dental records, including records of immunizations and vaccinations with
English translation
Supply of any medications you are currently taking
Eyeglass or contact-lens prescription
Travelers cheques, cash, or bank card (debit or ATM) in an amount adequate for travel
emergencies and settling-in expenses
Birth and marriage documents
International drivers license

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Arrival in the U.S.

Once you arrive in the U.S. you will need to find transportation to your final destination. Some
international student organizations at universities will offer transportation services for new
incoming students. Make sure to contact and check with your international student advisor.
Once you arrive on campus, here are a couple things that you will want to do first before
settling in:
Confirm your housing
Obtain a campus map
Meet with your international student advisor
Visit the Registration and Bursars Office

Learn Your Neighborhood

Now that you are settled in and classes will start soon, you will want to get to know your
surroundings a little better. Learning to get around the town by yourself will give you freedom
and can be exciting. It is also a good idea to seek out the international student organizations
and start making friends early. Below are a couple of things to do before classes start:
Visit the student and information center
Find your closest grocery store
Try some local eateries and restaurants
Identify important government offices and buildings
Last but not least, you will want to stay connected with your family and friends home. Once
you arrive in the U.S. make sure to contact your family back home and let them know that
you have arrived safely. Also, make sure to get a cell phone and internet service so that you
can continue to be in touch. This will especially be helpful during those times when you start
feeling homesick.

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Conclusion
We hope this information was helpful for you. The most important thing to keep in mind is that
there is a support network for you in the U.S. As international students, make sure to not feel
embarrassed or afraid of asking for help and getting answers to your questions. Visit us at www.
WESStudentAdvisor.org for more tips and advice on studying abroad in the U.S. and Canada.

Resources
WES Student Advisor: August Timeline for International Students
WES Student Advisor: Financial Documents for U.S. Student Visa

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WES Student Advisor is an initiative of World Education Services (WES),

a non-profit organization, with over 40 years of international education
experience with offices in New York and Toronto. We provide international
students with free tips and advice from university admissions experts to
expand their educational opportunities in the United States and Canada.
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