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Tips for incoming students

This guide has been compiled from many sources including the previous ISA websites as well as individual contributions from members. If you would like to contribute or share some tips please contact the webmaster.

Things to do before leaving India 

  • Learn driving but do not get an International Driving Permit (IDP) unless you plan to drive within the first 6 months of your stay. It helps to know driving even though you won't be buying a car straight away. Rental cars are a good and cheap means of transport for quick trips.
  • Learn to cook to a certain extent. Cooking at home is a healthy and economical alternative to eating out each day.
  • Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20.

  • Have a complete medical checkup done, most importantly :
  1. Eyesight : Get your eye-sight checked and get a new prescription from an ophthalmologist. Bring at least two extra pair of glasses, lenses if you are dependent on them.
  2. Dental : Get your teeth checked up thoroughly and all cavities filled.
  • Get prescriptions & medicines for all common ailments (the generic name of the medicine along with Indian/US brand name). Medicines are not sold without valid prescriptions: possession of medicines without valid prescriptions in your name might be a violation on the law and may be confiscated.
  • Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR). Fill in the Health and Immunization record form that has been sent to you with the I-20 packet.
  1. Measels Mumps Rubella (MMR) (required)
  2. Tetanus (required)
  3. Polio (required)
  4. Hepatitis B (we recommended it- get it done well in advance)
  5. Meningococal (recommended by VT)
  • Tuberculosis skin test (PPD/Mantoux test) :
  1. This test must be done at Virginia Tech. A test done in India will not be accepted even with an accompanying normal X-Ray
  2. If your test turns out +ve. i.e >10mm induration at Virginia Tech, then a X-ray will be taken.
  3. If the X-ray is abnormal, you will be required to take the Ionoziad medicines for 6 months.
  4. If the X-ray is normal, you are given a choice to take the Ionoziad medicine.
The cost for the test is $7, cost for the x-ray is $39 and the medicine is free. This will not be included in your insurance.

  • Roanoke is the nearest airport to Virginia Tech Blacksburg, this should be the final destination on your air tickets.
  • Book your tickets on time; flights are usually packed to capacity at this time of the year. For a guide to selection of a good time and date please read this. Try and travel in groups as this will simplify a lot of things such as taking care of baggage when you want to visit the restroom.
  • A day before the flight, call the airline to confirm your reservation and to cross-check everything the travel agent may have told you including your seat number.
  • Indicate your meal preferences: whether you want a Vegetarian Meal or a Non Vegetarian Meal or any other preference. Asian meals are generally Chinese. This can be done at the time of booking the tickets with the travel agent.
  • Most airlines offer Frequent Flier programs (e.g. Delta, Air France, United Airlines, Lufthansa) implying that after a certain number of miles of flying with that airline you get a free ticket. Enroll in such programs. Enrollment needs to be done before you fly: check out the website of your airline to register.
  • Baggage is usually safe with a single airline while a change of airline sometimes leads to misplaced luggage. Some airlines don't take care about baggage transfer. You may have to personally carry it (check this while booking).
  • Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the check in time.
  • Drink a lot of fluids and juices on the flight. This will prevent your jet lag from becoming worse. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks are diuretics, which cause you to lose water and should be avoided.
  • Many airlines are fussy about the weight of your cabin baggage. The usual weight limit is 8 Kgs. However, its better to check with your travel agent regarding this.
  • Always keep a photocopy of your passport, tickets, I-20, and contact info of your school/apartment in every piece of baggage including your cabin baggage.
  • Always keep original copies of your CA certificate, bank statements, sponsor's affidavit, passport, admission letters, marksheets in your cabin baggage. Sometimes, the immigration officials may ask you to present them at the airport.
  • Ideally, a student should bring $500 in cash, $1500 in travelers checks for living expenses. The safest and most convenient way to pay tuition fees is wire transfer. Once you open a bank account in a US bank, you can wire transfer the money to this account or you can transfer it to Virginia Tech directly. You may also bring a demand draft however they may take several days to be processed. Check your Bursar statement to determine the exact figure.

Setting up a VOIP phone to make free calls

If you have a broadband connection at home (which does not require a dialer) such as MTNL/BSNL then you can setup a VOIP phone service to call home from anywhere in the world for free.

You will need :
  • 2 x SIP compliant UNLOCKED phone adaptors (e.g. Linksys PAP2) (they are about $35 each with shipping, and can be ordered in India from www.ebay.com)
  • Register for two free accounts on a SIP based VOIP service provider such as Gizmo5
  • Configure both the devices with the two accounts
  • Keep one in India and bring the other one to the US.
  • You can make completely free calls between the devices and without any monthly fee. 

Next : Things to Pack