Check list !

You can find THE list, “things that should be taken to US” in net. I followed the same list and let me tell you it’s not the same scenario now.

There are few things which are not available or expensive or things which you should bring for sure and what not to.

1. Jacket – NOT required. You can buy it here for sale. Price depends on brand. But you can get a Jacket from 30$.

2. Gloves Muffler, caps and earmuffs - You can buy it here. Mostly each varies from 10-15$

3. Thermals – Jockey doesn’t work here. You can buy Fleece brand in Wal-Mart here, which is really good. Top cost 10$ and bottom cost 10$.

4. Long boots – Better to buy here. Cost starts from 40$.

5. Formal Shirts and Trousers are expensive here. So it’s better to bring a pair. You mostly use for your Presentations and Career fair (which is only one per semester).

6. Jeans are pretty cheap. It starts from 10$ here (Aeropostale, H&M, American Eagle) and even tops. You need to wait for the sale. Just bring few clothes remaining you can buy here.

7. You can bring traditional clothes because GISA organizes events on Diwali. You may need it then.

8. You can buy Blankets and Pillows here. Blankets varies from 15-40$. Pillow starts from 3$.

If you bring air pillow, it will help you for initial use.

Things you should definitely bring from INDIA:

1. Pressure cooker and a non-stick pan (they are expensive here).

2. Chilly Powder ( It doesn’t taste good here)

3. Ginger garlic paste (ginger taste is different here)

4. Tamarind.

5. Try to bring Dosa mix.( Powder Rice and Black gram. You can add water to it and make Dosa here. Better than to buy Dosa mix every time)

6. Turmeric powder, Mustard seeds, Cumin seeds, Coriander seeds, Asafoetida, Cloves, Cardamom seeds, Cinnamon, Poppy seeds, Bay leaf are expensive. The spices only Indians use cost more so better bring them.

Bring all the masala products also.

7. Peanuts are expensive so bring it from India.

8. Don’t forget Knife. A good knife costs 20$ here.

9. Spoons and Forks are costly compared to India, so better add to your list.

10. US plug adapters.

11. Calculator if you have one if not you can buy here.

12. Indian brand biscuits better bring it with you guys.

13. If you like Maggie well and good you can find them here. But if it’s another brand like Foodles better bring them.

14. Bed sheet at least one.

15. Chapati roller stick, its expensive here like 10$.

16. Hair oil depends you guys again.

17. Spectacles better have extra pairs. Recommended to bring tool set if possible.

18. Water bottle.

Things which are CHEAP and not required to carry:

1. Rice – It’s available here for 10lbs – 22$. So you can bring a small quantity for initial use.

2. All purpose flour / Maida – Pretty cheap

3. Salt, Sugar.

4. Books / notepads.

5. Cotton.

6. Microwave bowls are not too expensive.

7. In Dollar store, you can buy most of the miscellaneous items for 1$ each.

So, even if you guys forget any don’t panic. You can it here 

Doubts which I got :

1. “You can’t carry Rice” -> It’s okay no big deal, in air port they won’t pester Students. So take your chance. I bought 2Kgs for initial use.

2. “If you bring Pickles they will catch you in your port of entry” -> Do not bring 15kgs of pickle, if you bring then yeah you may get caught.

When we stand in line for Customs, dogs sniff our luggage and if the aroma is too strong then that’s all ! So keep them deep inside not near corners.

3. I am talking about Emirates, you may not like the food. You can carry chapathi rolls in your hoodie

4. Always carry all the set of Documents with you. I-20 and Passport are super important.

5. Carry 20,10,5,1$ bills, to change your luggage in your Port of Entry you need these bills.

In JFK, you need 5$ bill.

6. If you missed your domestic flight because of delay in flight or near immigration or customs, don’t panic. Just explain them your situation. It happened twice to me.
They will give you next flight. If they didn’t ask them in a stronger version, with "it’s not my mistake " attitude.

7. For every medicine you are carrying have prescription for sure.

8. All Cheese burgers have beef so, Vegetarians be careful.

9. In Dubai, to make a call to India you can buy a calling card. It costs 9$. It’s better than any travelling sim.

Finally got my VISA ! What next ?

You may find many websites to tell frequently asked questions in VISA interview. Even I followed them all. Finally I took my token number and standing in line. Few situations I witnessed there are

1. Can you tell me your University address?                                                           
2. What is the Mascot of UB ?
They asked such silly questions too 

The questions they asked me are simple.
1. What is your GRE?

2. Why did you choose this University?

3. Did you contact any Professor in the University? (Try to remember few Professors names at least)

I finally got my VISA.


The first thing I was worried about is the place where I can stay. I got in touch with few seniors here in Buffalo and got to know about the housing. There are both North and South Campus

1. Those who are interested in having their individual bedroom. Then South side suits them. There you can find individual bed rooms. Many places like Tops, Tim Horton’s and McDonalds are like 10 – 15 min walking distance. If you are four members, room rent is going to be like 300-380 per head. Gas bill and electricity bill is extra.


Pros: Center for many places. Individual bedroom.                                                         Cons: Only one bath room for all. Electricity bill and gas bill are too high. Difficult to come back from University especially in Winter nights.

2. In North you have few options
Triads apartment: You will get two bed and two bath. So you got to share your bed room. And only two people sign the lease. Other two are like non-legal (Which is pretty common here).  If you are four members, room rent is going to be like 260-297 per head. There is no Gas bill. Electricity bill is in between 10-15$ max. It’s a best place to stay in winter. It’s only 10 min walk to campus. There is stampede 5 min away.


Pros: Near to campus. Winter nights won’t be horrible. Low electricity cost.
Cons: Bed room sharing.

You can stay in Sweet home apartments also, but they are expensive (700-900$ per head).

We have a pick-up service to an Indian store here called as Super Bazaar. Wal-mart is just opposite to it so, it makes grocery shopping easier. You have a make a bill about 25$ I think, to use the pick-up service. The amount usually varies so don’t worry.

So, it doesn’t matter where you stay you use this for your shopping.

Finally I chose the place I am interested and sent the advance lease amount to one of the senior bank account. We need to send few of the documents required like I-20, VISA stamp and few forms to reserve an apartment. On May 21^st I got my apartment reserved.