<p>I thought it would be nice to have a thread to share the anxiety, frustrations and of course excitement of leaving your country as you head off to college in the US. (Somewhat of a bigger step than leaving your state, right?)</p>
<p>So this is the thread to get all of your worries off your back, especially if your parents and friends are sick and tired of hearing you talk about packing, leaving, good-byes etc. :)</p>
<p>I’ll start this thread off with what’s on my mind at the moment: </p>
<p>How the heck are you supposed to fit everything you need into two suitcases?!
Sure, you can buy sheets and towels and other things like that when you’re there - but leaving all of your favorite books sitting there on your shelves hurts… ;-)</p>
<p>I am sure the libraries at Harvard have a decent collection of books :)</p>
<p>Ah, but you see, I think you’re missing the point of this thread.</p>
<p>Bump :)</p>
<p>well coming from a third world country, I had problem filling up a whole suitcase…lucky you :)</p>
<p>I dunno. I managed to come back from Canada with two suitcases that still had room for another 20 pounds. And I bought A LOT. So I guess I won’t have a big problem with those two suitcases. I don’t like leaving my books behind though. But what can you do?</p>
<p>My daughter (from the U.S) also wants to study abroad. So, while the direction is in the reverse…I feel your pain! She is not worried, as she’s only a Junior. But even THINKING about banking and money exchange and visas and doctors and communications and SUITCASES has already been on my mind…in case she is accepted. For that one problem…I suggest you pack what you need (don’t know where you’re going to college but maybe you don’t have to pack a big heavy coat, eh?). Then perhaps you can SHIP a box or two of other things…shipping them back home at the end of the year. I’m SURE you’ll end up buying things you can’t fit into your suitcase when you go home anyway, so there will undoubtedly be SOME shipping involved! And I imagine the school is very good about directing their international students. I know I’m worried about health insurance and doctors. How hard will it be to be sick and so far from home/parents? And food, of course…depending on where the child is coming from and where they are going. That can be HUGE culture shock! I know my niece went to Japan from the U.S. and she ate mostly cereal for about a month for every meal. Funny but she ended up being a sushi FREAK long after that trip. Good luck to you at your college in the U.S. I hope you enjoy it.</p>
<p>Oh, it can be done. Pack a couple pairs of jeans, a couple pairs of better pants, a few T shirts, a few better shirts, a couple of sweaters, a couple pairs of shoes and enough underwear for 10 days. Done*. </p>
<p>Whatever else you need, buy once you get here. </p>
<p>I’m actually pretty serious. I crossed the Atlantic to study in Europe with less. I’ve hosted foreign students in my home who brought more - and regretted it.</p>
<p>*Girls, throw in a dress and a skirt. Extra shoes not recommended but you’ll bring 'em anyway ;)</p>
<p>Two suitcases is plenty. I am getting through the summer with one suitcase of clothing, books and electronics, and one with bedding. </p>
<p>In the two years I have been in the US, I got so much stuff that I am storing four big boxes on campus this summer. I bet that I will throw half of it away once I get back to campus (minus winter clothing and furniture). </p>
<p>
I don’t recommend shipping things home at the end of each year. Paid storage space near campus is cheaper and more convenient. And you probably won’t even need most of your things at home (furniture, winter clothing, electronics, etc). Besides, most international students at my college don’t spend the summer at home. They might go home for a few weeks, but they will be doing other things for much of the summer: internships, summer school, travelling, etc.</p>
<p>So…I’m pretty much just bringing clothes, a few electronics (computer), and a couple books.</p>
<p>Everything else gets bought in the US two days before college starts. Is this the way to go? Or do internationals ship a lot of stuff directly to the school?</p>
<p>excuse me please, but what exactly is a “book”?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Where do most international students stay when they’re on summer vacation? Don’t some schools “kick” their students out for summer?</p>
<p>We are allowed to stay in the dorms if we have a job on campus or take summer classes. Many science majors receive a summer research grant from the school to work with faculty during the summer, and other students might be tour guides or library circulation desk attendants or summer event helpers.</p>
<p>A good number of international students do off-campus internships. They have to find their own housing, but that’s usually not a problem if there is another college in the area. Many college students sublet their apartments during the summer, often for less than they have to pay because there is not much demand for summer housing. Finding affordable summer housing is not a problem in most areas.</p>
<p>
That sounds good. When you choose which electronics to bring, make sure that they work with 110V (or batteries :)) and bring a power plug adapter.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks b@!</p>