PACKING CHECKLIST
Start your packing well in advance
- Usually doesn’t work :) We guys did not. We can gladly advise you to.
Buy two good boxes - they should be able to withstand a lot of mishandling. They should be as large as
possible within the size limitations (however most airlines are not very strict about baggage size). Put
identification marks and labels both inside & outside the boxes (apart from this the airlines will also
provide you with adhesive labels).
Box specifications
As an example the Air India economy class baggage specifications to the USA are given below. Note the
specifications may be different for other countries/airlines.
2 pieces of baggage with total linear dimension (l+b+h) not exceeding 270cm (106"). Moreover the total
linear dimension of each piece should not be over 158cm (62").
The weight of each bag should not exceed 32kg (70lb) [note: they are not very particular about this when
it comes to students, but you can exceed by too much]
Carry on baggage: In addition you can carry a bag with linear dimension not exceeding 115cm (45")
onboard (fits beneath the seat).
If you are taking a break outside USA/Canada contact your travel agent or airlines for details.
- The baggage sizes are almost standardized. Be careful about the weight of your baggage. You might
save frustration at the airport when you are leaving.
Do tie the suitcases with nylon ropes, as the boxes are thrown when changing flights and can very well be
damaged / broken. The airline authorities will repair / replace accordingly
Things to be kept in the boxes - checklist










Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
Important application materials (SOP, reco letters, admit letter, etc)
Necessary books/notebooks (some suggested books are - Clark's Tables, a good
dictionary/thesaurus, a booklet for units conversion) [note: there should be no legal hassles taking
Xerox copies of books - but don't flaunt them to Americans/Profs]
Copy of address book/telephone book/diary
- Leave important phone numbers of people both in the US and in India with your parents.....
Some stationery and related items suggested (not absolutely necessary - just for the first few
weeks) screw driver - a tool kit might help.
Medical history files
Gifts (suggested: rollable pictures, handicrafts, etc)
- a gift for your advisor would be appreciated by him greatly.. Especially if he is an
American...make it ethnic...
Non-technical books (fiction/religious). [note: second-hand story books are cheap in the US]
1 pair leather chappals, 2 hawai chappals (+ extra straps)
Soap (bath), toothbrushes (slightly costly in the US - 1 or 2 bucks) etc Do not bother to bring
washing soaps / products. You will be using washing machines here and you can get the
detergent here.
- get just one soap cake and one toothbrush... If you are choosy about some Indian brand soap or
something due to medical reasons or preference, carry lot of them. You can actually get good
razors and shaving foams here...but if you already have a real good razor, bring it along...


Cassettes
Clothes
Usually clothes are machine washed once a week (Laundromat) - hence one week supply of
clothes (+ one week backup) is needed. Get all clothes little loose - clothes may shrink in
machine wash & you will probably grow fatter.
- clothes will shrink and you will grow fatter...the frequency of washing will actually depend on
you...
1. 14-15 sets of undergarments, socks, handkerchiefs
- Get some 2-3 pairs of socks. Socks are quite cheap here and available at $5 for a 6 pack.
2. 5 sets of good shirts, pants
3. - Maybe more if u are lazy & do laundry once in 2 weeks.
- you get good jeans here from $10 onwards unless u are too brand name conscious...
4. a good swimming trunk + few shorts
5. a tie + 1-2 belts
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

- get the belts in india
3-6 ordinary towels
a bed sheet
- Should say bedcover. Also get a couple of pillow covers.
- the pillows here are of a different size than those in India...
lungies/dhotis/pajamas/night wear
thermal underwear (1-4) Though Buffalo is very cold, not all people use thermal wears. Depends
on your ability to bear cold. Costs around 10 bucks a set here. one set should do, at most 2. U
can buy it here, since u won't need it till November end.
extra woolen sweaters. Winter wear is also relatively cheap here, so don’t bother carrying jackets
from India.
Food stuffs
Below are some food stuffs that may be taken :
GET AS MUCH INSTANT STUFF POSSIBLE.



1 - 2.5 kg packets of "Sambar Powder"
1 packet of "Rasam Powder"
0.5 box of "Masala Powder"
1 box of "Upma powder", "tamarind rice Powder"
Pickles
Get some instant powders...for tamarind rice, rava idly, idly, dosa, rava dosa etc..
mustard packet
tamarind paste
different daals in small quantity for initial phase
asafoetida powder
Indian instant coffee + Indian tea (takes some time to get used to American stuff)
Elaichi, clove, cinnamon
Note: most of these items are available in the Indian stores in Buffalo. However you need to carry
them for use in the first few days.
actually pickles are not allowed - but you can take them in solder-sealed tins. [students are
usually not checked for these] - students are almost never checked.







take all dry food stuff in sealed plastic packets
- some of the instant stuff is not so good, the sambar esp...but rava idly ad tamarind rice mix are
good...
You will be required to declare the things that you are carrying, on landing at the port of entry.
You can say dried Indian spices and that all that you are carrying are sealed.
Vessels
Big pressure pan and cooker (with spare handle, 3 safety valves, 2 weights, 1 base plate, 3
gaskets)
You can get good electric rice cookers here.
Idli plates
Make sure the idly plates fit into the cooker...the pressure cooker is usually used only to cook
dhal or idlis...
Dosa turner, charani (server with holes), rice server & other servers
Tongs
Small bowls
Knife
Kadaie (optional)
- Costs some 20 bucks for a nonstick huge kadai. Bring stainless steel vessels of varying sizes,
for rasam, sambar,... & lids for each of them + karandis. SS karandis r not availble here. Also SS
spoons. U might get some micro containers for ghee/o il, sugar, spices....
People usually buy a full non-stick kitchenware set after they come here...a tumbler would
help...once you get the non-stick stuff you wont be using the stainless steel ones...you can also
get the micro/macro containers here...
Cook books----RECIPES BY YOUR MOM ARE THE BEST
Non-stick kitchenware is cheap in the US. You can buy a full set, sharing with your roomies.
List of medicines recommended by a Doctor








Crocin tablets - 3 strips
For fever, body ache, headache
One tablet three times a day as necessary
Erythrocin 500 mg tablets - 2 strips
One tablet twice a day when necessary, as advised
Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips
One capsule twice a day when necessary, as advised
Actified tablets - 3 strips
Cosovil tablets - 2 strips
For common cold & cough.
One tablet three times a day.
Avomin tablets - 1 strip
For air sickness.
One tablet as necessary.
Lomotil tablets - 20
Digene tablets - 30
For diarrhoea & stomach discomfort.
One tablet of each three times a day.
Baralgam tablets - 2 strips
For abdominal colic pain, backache, etc
One tablet every six hours as necessary.
Dorstal tablets - 10
For nausea & vomiting.
One tablet three times a day.










Electral powder - 2 packets
One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss of
electrolytes after vomiting or diarrhoea.
Novalgin tablets - 2 strips
For headache & bodyaches.
One tablet as necessary.
Stomatil tablets - 1 strip
For vertigo (giddiness)
One tablet three times a day as necessary till relieved.
Isogel (Glaxo) - 1 box
For constipation.
One teaspoonful in a little of water at bedtime.
Brufen 600mg tablets - 2 strips
For arthritic joint pains.
One tablet three times a day after food.
Avil tablets - 1 strip
For allergy.
One tablet as necessary.
Sepmax tablets - 1 strip
For sore-throat.
One tablet twice a day after food, till relieved. NOT TO BE TAKEN WHEN ONE IS ALLERGIC TO
SULFA DRUGS.
Relaxyl ointment - 1 tube
To be applied as a pain balm.
Band Aids assorted - 12
Soframycin skin ointment - 1 tube
Things to be kept in Hand Baggage
Some medicines (including for air-sickness)
Novels/mags/books for in flight reading
sweater
Original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
Enough money (little cash, travellers' checks)
Address book/phone book (Indian & US)
Copies of your photo (passport size)
Enlisted steps to be followed in case of emergency (accident, theft, etc)
Things to survive for a week in case luggage gets misplaced / You miss a connecting flight (two sets of
clothes/towel), addresses etc)
Things to be kept on person





Shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
GISA contact phones and addresses.
Receipt got along with travellers' checks - in case you lose the TC's
A pen
Have your passport and visa number in your wallet too...
Things to be left at home




List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained (Milaap contacts/
Emergency contacts)
One copy of all your important documents
A copy of all relevant parts of Medical History files
Arrange to collect/redirect mail from your room/hostel



Arrange to apply/collect/mail your transcripts (about 20 in number preferable)
Your tailoring measurements
A few blank signed papers - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on your
behalf