Indian association

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Pre-Departure Information:

Congratulations that you have now got the visa and pretty much finalized your travel plans to come to the university. You are pretty much all set in a mood to come over here and start a new chapter of your life with vigor and enthusiasm. The following are a list of suggestions regarding things that you might want to get before arriving here. you get pretty much all the Indian stuff in Baltimore, but to have the items in the list mentioned below eases things a little bit.

1) CLOTHING

The dress code on campus is pretty informal and a T-shirt worn with jeans is almost a universal dress for both sexes here. So, bring plenty of them. Formal clothes may come in useful occasionally. You may, of course, want to bring along some Indian clothes (saris, salwaar-kameez, kurtas, etc) with you.

• Formals: One suit (Optional), ties (1/2), shirts and trousers (2/3), 

• Casuals: Jeans (3/4), T-shirts & sweats (6+), cotton shirts (2+), shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (2/3).

Baltimore has summers (25-35 C) and relatively cold winters (-2-4 C).  Cotton shirts and shorts might help you more than sweater and coats. If possible get a good sweater/jacket, a muffler, a scarf and a woolen cap. Sometimes you are better off getting this stuff coat/jacket in the US.  An umbrella and a cap is a good idea, to protect from the rain here, that sometimes tends to come without a warning.

• Footwear: Sneakers, formal shoes, leather chappals/sandals, bathroom slippers.

• Winter wear: Sweaters (medium quality, at most 2), muffler/ scarf, woolen cap.

Most of the places where you stay, you will  have access to washing and drying facilities. These machines have large capacities, so that it is possible to do 2-3 week's laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly.

• Undergarments: About 12 sets of undergarments and socks, preferably cotton.

  Miscellaneous: Towel (3+), napkins (1/2), leather belts (2+), handkerchiefs (6+).

  Linen: Bed sheets (double bed size, 2), pillow covers (big, 2), light blanket (for spring/summer use).

• Things to get in US (if you do not get that during the season when you are planning to leave): Winter jacket, winter gloves, caps, wind-cheaters, track-suits, good sweaters, comforter.

Note: Indian clothes (particularly cottons) have a tendency to shrink a lot when washed on the hot and/or warm cycle in a washing machine here or by drying them in the dryer, so please be careful with sizes.

2) DRIVING LICENSE

It is preferable that you learn driving and come, if you have time. If you have a driving license in India or will getting one before coming here, be sure to get an IDP (International Driving Permit) when you come. This will help to you in car insurance purposes when you will rent a car to get a US driving license.

3) ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS

Please get all the relevant documents (such as pre-requisite you wish to get waived), get separate official and sealed copy of syllabus (if possible) and transcript, copy of experience letters and recommendation letters (if possible).

4) KITCHEN

Food is not a problem for either vegetarians or non-vegetarians, if you are a non-vegetarian you have more choice. There are eating joints in the vicinity, providing Indian/American/Mexican/Oriental foods. However it is certainly cheaper and healthier to develop some culinary skills. Come well-equiped with your pots and pans, your favorite masalas & some recipes .

• Cooking Utensils: Non-stick pan (1/2), non-stick tava, pressure cooker (for 3 people)(get spare gaskets and safety valves)

• Others: spoons, forks, GOOD knives, cups, glasses (2 each), a melamine (microwaveable) set (Optional) consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular bowls (2 each).

Although, you can buy almost all kinds of Indian foodstuff here, getting a reasonable quantity of the following,  to last you for your initial settling  period will save a lot of hassle and you some money initially.

• Condiments and spices: garam masala, sambhar and rasam masala /powder, pav bhaji masala (optional), chole masala,  haldi, chill powder, jeera, mustard,dhania.

• Others: pickles, papad, homemade snacks etc.

Note: The US customs officers normally do not make a fuss about spices if they are properly sealed, so please pack everything to be leak-proof.


TIP: The easiest way to make new friends, is to feed the existing Indian junta with desi delicacies and sweets. So if there is anything unique food specialties from home do get some , for yourself and the junta out here.

5) PERSONAL ITEMS

Please bring the  following for your first few days (or weeks).

• Toilette: Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using), soap a couple of shampoo packets,
  a complete shaving kit (for guys) (all in a toiletry bag) (though you'll soon try out  stuff that you get in the supermarkets, the home kit is good to carry around in travel). 

You will have to apply medical insurance here (students/post-docs), but medication is very expensive here, so, it is better to get some medicines that you are used for minor ailments at home and and any special ones that you need to start of with till the health insurance is setup.

• Medicines: Medicines for standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomach-ache etc. Pleas do bring along the papers of  personal medication (if  any) and medical history papers. Antiseptic cream, relaxyl etc. Spare eyeglasses/ contact lenses. (For those wearing glasses an up-to-date eye prescription too) Get a complete medical checkup done before getting here, including a chest X-ray and if possible get a health certificate from your doctor, which states the dates on which you have received the different vaccination during the course of last 10 years.

• Study Materials and Stationary: your calculator  micro tip pencils + refills (2), good pens (2), eraser,  Indian calendar, backpack. (All of the stationary is optional, except the Indian calendar). 

  Documents: Please bring along photocopies of all your documents (2-3) as you might need to submit them, and further more it may help if you want to take transfer to another university. Please bring 10 passport size photographs (as per the specifications that you used for the visa).

• Other: Needles & thread, buttons, your favourite Music CDs, favourite books and personal family photos. An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region, photos of deities (if religious-minded)

The list of all the above mentioned things is put together as word file, which you can downlod and use as a check list