PRE DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

THINGS TO BE TAKEN ALONG

PERSONAL
Wristwatch Shorts
Belts Slippers / Chappals
Blazer / Suit Socks (Cotton and Woolen)
Boot Polish + Brush Sports Shoes + laces
Blanket, Bed sheets, Pillow Covers Sweater – Full & Half
Handkerchiefs Swimming Costume
Undergarments Ties
Jeans Bath Towel
Jacket Track Suit
Leather Shoes + Laces Indian Traditional Wear
Napkins Wind sheeter / Rain coat
Night Dresses Woolen Cap / Muffler
Pants / Trousers / Skirts Woolen Socks, Gloves
Shirts, T Shirts / Tops Woolen Undergarments / Thermals

HOUSEHOLD
Cashew, Elaichi, Clove Drinking Glass
Tea / Coffee (Powder / Bags) Knife - sharp, potato peeler, butter knife
Mugs & tablespoons Masala - Jeera, Rye, Haldi, Mirch, etc.
Cooking Books Non-stick Pan, Tava, Kadhai
Cooking Spoons Plates – microwavable
Cups – microwavable Pressure Cooker
Glass - microwavable Serving Bowl– microwavable

MISCELLANEOUS
Alarm Clock Haversack / Shoulder Bag / Plastic Bags
Batteries Torch
Buds, Tooth floss, Nail Cutter Umbrella
Mobile Handset Wallet
Document Holders Hangers
Sun Glasses Small Mirror
Extra Eye Glasses with No. prescription Calendar
Cap Playing Cards / Pocket Games
Lock + Chain + Ropes Students Discount Cards like ISIC
Laptop / Tab / iPad / iPod Credit Card if required
Music / Movie DVD’s Religious Items
Photos of Family and India Needles, Thread, Buttons, Nylon Cord

Cosmetics – Shaving Kit, Shaving Cream, Razor, Shaving Brush, Extra Blades, After Shave
Lotion, Scissors, Hair Oil, Cold Cream, Soap / Shower Gel, Paper Soap, Talc Powder, Hair Oil,
Shampoo, Hair Comb, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Tongue Cleaner, Deo, Perfume, Detergent, etc.

Medicine Kit – Pain / Sprain Spray, Cold / Cough Syrup, Antibiotics, Band-aid, Antiseptic
Cream, Ointments for Burns, Cuts, Skin, Laxatives / Eno Soda, Electral / Glucon D Powder,
Fever, Acidity, Vomiting, Loose Motion Pills, ear / eye drops, Crepe bandage, bandage rolls,
dettol, cotton, sanitizer, wet tissues, any other medicines, prescriptions of existing Medicines.
ACADEMIC & OTHER IMP DOCUMENTS / BOOKS / STATIONERY

(Prepare a good file to carry the following original and photocopy of full documents)

Passport with Visa Page Books of interest

Air Ticket Foreign Currency & Forex Receipt
Admission Letter Address Book
Any Scholarship Letter International Driving License
Fee Receipt Cooking Book
Accommodation / Pickup Confirmation Pocket Dictionary
Insurance Policy Paper Pins, Clips, Safety pins
Birth Certificate Passport size Photos
Employment letters Calculator
Project Report Air Mail covers
Recos, Transcripts, Academic Documents Text Books
Reports of Immunization, Medical and Maps / Local Guides
Dental Reports Writing Pads
Resume and SOP (hard and soft copy) Visiting Cards / Name & Address Stickers
Pens, Pencils, Erasers, Markers, Ruler, Stapler, Staple pins, Adhesives, Other Stationery

DOCUMENTS IN THE HANDBAG

(Keep your handbag in your possession all the time. Do not leave it unattended at any time,
especially at the change over)

All ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

Passport with Visa Page Book for flight reading
Air Tickets Accommodation Confirmation
Admission Letter Airport Pickup Details / Direction Map
Any Scholarship Letter Insurance Policy
Fee Receipt Birth Certificate
Report of Immunization Foreign Exchange Receipt
Address book with contacts of University Staff, students, other Friends/Relatives abroad

JOBS TO BE DONE HERE BEFORE LEAVING

1. Confirm Accommodation booking
2. Arrange Foreign Exchange & Student Medical Insurance
3. Inform University about flight and arrival details and confirm airport pickup
4. Contact Airline for exact Travel Bag size and Weight details
5. Reconfirm Reservation with agent and the airlines 72 hours before departure
6. Ask Travel Agent for arranging for Veg / Non-Veg Food and confirm it
7. Make a list of items packed in each bag
8. Get Complete Medical Check Up – Dental, ENT, Physical, Chest X-Ray, etc.
9. Get Vaccinations for Hepatitis B, MMR, etc.
10. Keep a copy of all the documents at home. (eg. Marksheets, Admission Letter, Passport,
Transcripts, Recos, Fee Receipt, Forex Receipt, etc.
11. Leave a copy of the medical documents
12. Leave a list of contact addresses & phone numbers at home
13. Leave a few “Authority Letters”, blank signed letters at home – Parents may need them to
continue transaction on your behalf
14. Open a joint bank account
15. Get a mobile phone / tab / laptop with webcam and video-conferencing facility
16. Buy Textbooks only if absolutely necessary
17. Get International Driving License
18. Get some Indian Credit Card for emergency use
19. Get a good haircut
20. Medical Reports and Prescriptions
21. Note Parents Account Number
22. Copy of Visa, Passport and Admission Letter in all bags

WHAT TO DO AFTER REACHING

To do in the same order:
1. Call home
2. Settle in Temporary / Permanent Accommodation
3. Report to the International Students Office with Passport, Admission letter, Fee Receipt,
Academic Documents
4. Purchase Student Medical Insurance if not taken from India
5. Arrange for a permanent accommodation
6. Attend the Orientation Program
7. Open a Bank Account and arrange for transfer of funds from India
8. Register with local doctor
9. Get telephone and gas connection
10. Meet your Course Advisor and discuss course work and Assistantship availability
11. Register for Courses
12. Pay Balance fees (On or before the DUE DATE)
13. Apply for Student Id Card
14. Apply for On-campus / Off-campus part-time jobs
15. Get some Identity document – as it is not advisable to carry passport always
16. Do not carry too much cash anywhere
17. Get University e-mail account activated

HOW TO DEAL WITH HOMESICKNESS

Everyone expects studying abroad to be an incredibly exciting experience. However one
phenomenon that can hamper the entire experience is “homesickness”. Mostly fuelled by culture
shock if it’s your first trip abroad, homesickness can be a little daunting to deal with. Even if you
are a well travelled person, it is natural to miss your home and loved ones. Here are a few
valuable tips, which will help you overcome homesickness with ease.

1. Keep in touch with your family and friends

An assurance that your loved ones are just a call away is a great way to make you feel at home in
a new setting. Use Skype, Whatsapp or Facetime to keep in regular touch with your loved ones
without causing a dent in your pocket.
2. Use online mediums to connect with people
You can spontaneously engage in unplanned chat sessions with your family and friends on G-
chat, Skype chat or Facebook. This will take your focus off from constantly thinking about
what’s happening back home. Keeping in touch with your loved ones does help but make sure
that you don’t overdo it and end up getting completely dependent on them emotionally.

3. Visiting local temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras

Paying customary visits to temples, churches, mosques and gurudwaras will make you feel
connected to your religious roots and impart a sense of well-being.

4. Celebrate festivals with your peers and local community

With a little effort you will always manage to find folks from your home country. Make it a point
to regularly visit community centres and actively participate in celebrating festivals with them.
This will serve as a fantastic way to build new friendships and beat the homesickness blues.

5. Eat in an Indian restaurant

Occasionally sinking your teeth into a familiar cuisine will give you feeling of being at home;
even if it is for a short while, it will surely serve its purpose.

6. Walk into an Indian grocery store

A random visit to the neighbourhood Indian grocery store and spotting Amul, Rasna and Parle-G
is sure to bring a smile on your face.

7. Go with an open mind

You are going to a new country and be ready to embrace it with arms wide open. Removing this
mental barrier will broaden your horizons and help you in welcoming a new set of friends. Be
open to the idea of utilizing your free time by closely working with student bodies and clubs. If it
still doesn’t help, don’t shy away from making the most of university’s student support services.
With a little counseling and student-mentoring program, you will settle down quickly.

8. Join a student group

Becoming a member of Indian Student Association will allow you opportunities to interact with
your Indian peers and instantly feel at home.

9. Learn to be self-sufficient and keep yourself occupied with some task

You will miss your mom more than ever when you have to perform daily chores like washing,
cooking and cleaning. Learning to single-handedly manage yourself will equip you to stay on
your own and stop you from feeling forlorn and secluded. Keep yourself busy when alone.

10. Gear yourself up for a different climate

One important factor that students fail to anticipate is the difficulty in adapting to an altogether
different climate. Researching and preparing yourself for the unique climatic conditions of your
host country will enable you to weather initial body shocks and adjustment challenges. There are
many like you out there struggling to acclimate themselves to a new setting, but rest assured it
will soon start getting better.

Remember – Homesickness is a 'transient emotion'. The sooner you get out of it, the better.
Do your utmost to convert your overseas higher education experience into
a cherished memory for your lifetime !