<p>Hi,</p>
<p>what cellphone plans are u getting? Which company, how many minutes/month?</p>
<p>which bank r u using? type of account?</p>
<p>what kind laptop/desktop?</p>
<p>Also, how r u moving in? are ur parents coming w/u?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I'm keeping a bank account in my home country, I can withdraw money at most US cash machines.</p>
<p>For my cellphone I'm buying a new sim card to use in the US, its with T-Mobile.</p>
<p>are there any other companies have such plans like Pay as you go ..?</p>
<p>Hey, I have studied in the US for one share and can share my experience. </p>
<p>Bank - it is a good idea to open an american bank account. For instance, if you work, you will get your wage to your american account. Also, you will not have to pay for each money withdrawal from the ATM machine (you will have to pay, if you have a foreign account). And also it is generally useful to have a bank account in a country you spend most of the time. I found having two accounts - at home and in the states. Bank of America is nice. For the first year the checking account - the one you will need- is free. Then, you will have to carefully decide how to change what so that your account coninues to be free. </p>
<p>Laptop - I bought IBM Thinkpad laptop through my university. I am very happy with it. </p>
<p>If you parents can come with you for the first time - that is certainly nice. A lot less stressful:) </p>
<p>No idea about cell phones; i did not get one in the US.</p>
<p>Is it a bad idea to buy a used computer at craigslist?</p>
<p>"Is it a bad idea to buy a used computer at craigslist?"</p>
<p>yes.</p>
<p>there are many pay as you go plans but usualy there are Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon (best connection anywhere), and many other regional providers.
I suggest if you just want a cellphone that works use Verizon. But if you are brinnging in your cellphones from other countries use T-Mobiles's pay as you go plan since T-Mobile is the one that works with European and or Canadian GSM cellphones.</p>
<p>For banks usualy Bank of America is the best. It gives you the best interest rates and also gives you many free stuff to students such as free checking, free ATM card, internet banking and etc</p>