List of things to be brought to UTA

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), traditional
saris/kurta.
• Casuals: Jeans (3/4), T-shirts & sweats (6+), cotton shirts (2+), shorts (for
outdoor, indoor, sports Use) (2/3). Arlington has hot summers (~40 C high) and
mild winters (~3 C low) (relatively, of course!), so Cotton shirts and shorts might
help you more than sweater and coats. So, get a good sweater, a Muffler, a scarf
and a woolen cap (monkey type), but you might get a better coat/jacket in the US.
An umbrella might be a good idea, since the rain here, though not a lot, still it
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
(monkey type). No matter where you stay, you'll have access to washing and
drying facilities. These machines have large capacities, so that it is possible to do
2 week's laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly.
• Undergarments: About 15 sets of undergarments and socks, preferably cotton.
• Miscellaneous: Towel (1+), napkins (1/2), leather belts (2+), handkerchiefs (6+)
and also swimwear + ear plugs (there are many swimming pools in on/off campus
apartments apart from the big one of UTA, you wont resist yourself from falling
into water in summer).
• Linen: Bed sheets (double bed size, 2), pillow covers (big, 2), shawl/light blanket
(for spring/summer use).
• Things you better buy in US: Winter jacket, winter gloves, caps, wind-cheaters,
track suits, good sweaters (they're cheap), and comforter.
Personal Items:
• Toilette: Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using), soap, a complete
shaving kit (for guys) (all in a toiletry bag). Don’t bring razors with separate
blades; bring disposable razors to remain safe from securities / airport
authorities. And don't forget to bring a deo-spray (Americans are extremely
sensitive to body odor).
• Study Materials & Stationary: your calculator (but you'll soon want to buy some
fancy stuff here), micro tip pencils + refills (2), good pens (2), eraser, stapler &
staples, Indian calendar, backpack. (Most of the stationary is optional. You can
also buy it here).
• Other: Sports equipment if you play tennis, squashes soccer.
• Entertainment: Your favorite Indian/ Western music cassettes/CDs, walkman
(optional), your favorite books.
• Personal: Family photos, 'Indian' ethnic stuff (gifts/personal use), Indian postage
(to send letters home with someone) etc. An up-to-date address book of all your
acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region, photos of deities (if
religious-minded)
• Spectacles: If you wear spectacles, buy 1-2 pairs extra for sure. They cost as
much as $100 per pair (minimum) in the US.

Things you should NOT bring: electrical appliances - The voltage and frequency used
here are different (110V/60Hz). And in any case, appliances like iron, toasters etc are
very inexpensive and you can purchase them once you are settled in. Some other things
that you might be better off buying here are blank notebooks & file folders

Don’t Forget to get your own Headphones with Microphones from India to use it for
the voice chats online, when you are here..........it will save lots of your $$$$$$ going
into your phone bills ..........!!!!!!!!
Books are very expensive here, so, find out the books that you will need for your course
from us and try to get then from India.
A single book might cost you more than a month's grocery bill!!
Kitchen:
There are lots of eating joints in the vicinity, providing
Indian/American/Mexican/Oriental foods. But it would certainly be cheaper and healthier
to cook yourself. Come well-armed with your pots and pans, your favorite masalas &
some recipes.
Please don’t bring any kind of doubtful/pointed stuff like kitchen knives or blades or
even butter knives else you will definitely put yourself into trouble before landing
yourself on the soil of United States.

• Cooking Utensils: Non-stick pan (1/2), non-stick tava, pressure cooker (5 liters)
(get spare gaskets, safety valves and weights)
• Others (Prefer Steel): spoons, cups, glasses (3 each), a melamine
(microwaveable) set (Optional) consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular
bowls (3 each), tongs, garni (for tea) etc. Although, you can buy almost all kinds
of Indian foodstuff here, get a reasonable quantity of the following, enough to last
you for your setup period and save you some money initially.
• Condiments and spices: garam masala, pav bhaji masala, chole masala, sambhar
masala, panipuri masala, fruit/chat masala, haldi, chill powder, jeera, dhania, rai,
asafoetida powder.
• Others : pickles, papad, namkins like "khadkhadia", "bhakharwadi", "chavanu",
"lilo chavdo", "dhania daal", etc.
• Instant Mixes: dhokla, gulabjamun, dosa, upma, etc.
• Beverages: Indian instant coffee + Indian tea
• Maggi: Don't forget this at all; bring it as much as you can, because it will be
your best friend till you start cooking eatable food. Second option would be rice
and daal which is very easy to cook.
Note: Please pack everything to be leak-proof.
DO NOT get any fresh fruits or meat.
Don't forget to bring Pickles, if you don't eat in India you will start eating over here.
Actually pickles are not allowed - but you can take them in solder-sealed tins.
Also remember, the easiest way to make new friends, is to feed the existing Indian food
starved populace with desi delicacies and sweets. So don't say no to sweets or any
specialties of your place if any relative in India gives you, do get them along. If you
won’t then we will definitely finish it off in couple of days.
Money:
The initial expenses are high like you need to pay deposit for your apartment and/or
utilities and telephone, etc.
Below is an estimate of how much money you might need.

Expenses:

(1) WORST CASE SCENARIO:

Tuition: 4500 dollars per Semester for 3 courses ==> 9000 dollars per annum for 3
courses x 2 semesters
(Assuming you don't have any financial aid which qualifies you for instate tuition)
Other Expenses: 300 dollars per month = 3600 dollars per annum
(Assuming you share an apartment with two other guys (~$150 per person) , your phone
bills do not exceed 60 dollars per month, rest is groceries and other expenses....)
So, in total, you would be spending about 12,600 dollars per year, in the worst case
scenario.

(2) BETTER CASE SCENARIO:

Case (a) - ONLY ONCAMPUS JOB
If you get an on campus job, you will be earning something like 400~425 dollars per
month, making your annual earnings to 4800 dollars.
So, you will be shelling out something like 8000 dollars from your own pocket in that
case.
Case (b) - ONCAMPUS JOB + SCHOLARSHIP
If you get financial aid (Scholarship), your tuition will be something like 2250 dollars for
3 courses per semester. That will make it 4500 dollars of tuition fees per year for two
semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 9000 we considered earlier. Here
your total expenses for the year will now be 4500 + 3600 = 8100 dollars....and if you are
working on campus, you will still be earning 4800 dollars annually yourself.
So, your budget deficit will now be 3300 dollars, instead of 8000 we considered earlier.

(3) BEST CASE SCENARIO: RA OR TA (ASSISTANTSHIP)

If you get a RA or TA, your tuition will be something like 1800 dollars for 3 courses per
semester. Assuming that your RA/TAship does not continue in summer and you prefer
not to take courses in summer will make it 3600 dollars of tuition fees per year for two
semesters (3 courses in each semester) instead of the 9000 we considered earlier. Here
your total expenses for the year will now be 3600 + 3600 = 7200 dollars....and you will
also be paid something like 750 dollars per month (approx) as a RA or TA, so you will be
earning 6750 dollars annually if you exclude summer. So, you will enjoy your summer
break but you will have to stretch a little bit to meet your own expenses by adding few
hundred bucks out of your pocket. If your RA/TAship is continued in summer then you
are required to take minimum two summer courses and your total fees would be $3600 +
$1300 (for summer) = $4900 and your total expense would be $8500. But you will also
be earning extra in summer RA/TAship where you will earn around $9000 annually.
Thus, you will end up saving some 500 bucks but will loose your summer fun.
NOTE: We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you to consider the WORST CASE
SCENARIO (Esp. Students coming to Electrical, Computers, Business and
Mechanical/Industrial major) because of the growing number of Desi population and
diminishing jobs and funding in the University.

How to take your money to the US

When you travel to the US, you need to carry money for on-the-way expenses, for the
initial expenses of renting an apartment, buying stuff for it, for paying your college fees
etc. According to the USEFI presentation on Money Management given by Thomas Cook
(and my own opinion) this is how you should take it:
1. $ 300-500 in Cash, for small change and minor problems while traveling.
2. $ 1500 in Travelers Cheques (up to $3000 is allowed in the basic traveler’s quota
BTQ - according to RBI regulations). You can also use debit cards like the Thomas
Cook Prepaid Debit Card to reduce transaction costs (see bottom). Here you will
need your admission letter, I-20, passport & confirmed ticket.
3. The rest of the money for the college fees or additional expenses can be taken in an
International Demand Draft. The DD can be made out in university's name for the
entire first installment, or in your name. If it's in your name, you can open a bank
account with it and write the university a Cheque, we advise to do so. For getting
this DD, it is best to look around. Ask 2-3 banks and see who has the cheapest rate.
Most banks only made international DDs for account holders, though. If your bank
does not offer DD services, then go to Thomas Cook. But use this as a last resort:
their exchange rates are usually higher than a bank's. We recommend State Bank of
India (SBI).
4. Credit Cards: Credit Cards are pretty useful, almost compulsory to have for
shopping convenience, burglary, mugging situations etc. in the US. All major banks
in India have started offering an International Credit Card in India since June 1999.
So its good to get one from India and keep it with you, but be extremely cautious in
its use because your parents have to pay the bill in Indian rupees back home. Make
sure to check RBI regulation of use of Indian Credit Cards abroad.

5. Debit Cards by Thomas Cook: Thomas Cook is offering Debit Cards - to be used
instead of Travelers' Cheques. The concept is similar to a Travel Cheque: you pay
first in India in rupees and buy dollars on the card. Then you can use the card in
many countries worldwide (many currencies offered). The biggest advantage I saw
was the low transaction cost (as compared to a travelers' check). A TC costs 1% per
check, while this is a fixed $1 per usage. So one can open a local bank a/c there, and
in a single huge transaction, transfer money form the card to the a/c. Cheaper than
wiring the money, faster than an Intl cheque, as secure as a travelers check (you are
refunded if you lose it). A neat option.
Medicines and Check Up:
NOTE: VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIREMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT
ARLINGTON OR INS, HOWEVER UTA INTERNATIONAL OFFICE (IO) WILL
WANT YOU TO HAVE TB TEST DONE OVER HERE AS PER THE IO RULES.
You will have to buy medical insurance here, but medication is very expensive here, so,
get some medicines that you have used for minor ailments and any special ones that you
need.

Also health insurance may not cover the costs of:

• Routine Dental work
• Eye glasses
• Vision exams
• Emergency room visits for non-emergencies

So get a complete medical checkup done before getting here, including a chest X-ray.
Check out following:
• Dental
• Fresh Body checkup, especially if you have a major ailment and get prescriptions &
medicines for all common ailments (the technical name of the medicine along with
Indian/US brand name)
• Get your eye-sight checked - get a new prescription. Buy at least one extra pair of
glasses.
• Get tested for TB if possible (chest X-ray).Note: IO Will Require you to do it again
after you come over here at UTA Health Centre, so you might want to avoid doing it
in India.
• Get requisite immunization done (especially MMR).

List of medicines recommended by a Doctor:

• Crocin tablets - 3 strips (For fever, body aches, headache, One tablet three times a
day)
• Erythrocin 500mg tablets - 2 strips (One tablet twice a day)
• Sporadix 500mg capsules - 2 strips (One capsule twice a day)
• Acetified 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 if necessary.)
• Lomotil tablets - 20
• Digene tablets - 30 (For diarrhea & 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)
• Electoral powder - 2 packets (One teaspoonful mixed with drinks to make up loss
of electrolytes after vomiting or diarrhea)
• Novalgin tablets - 2 strips (For headache & bodyaches. One tablet)
• 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

The above list seems to have been made out for a guy who is a proper
hypochondriac.......!!!
True that medicines are relatively very expensive in the US, but you will also tend to fall
ill less frequently (clean drinking water, etc).
Get all the medicines prescribed above if you must, but at least get them in much smaller
quantities.

Overseas Insurance:
Well till you get your insurance over here in USA it is advisable to get an overseas
insurance right from India for a month or so.
Many insurance companies/agents in India provide oversees insurance but let me bring
this to your notice that most of them hand you oversees insurance for a business visa.
And if ever something happens and you need to get a claim over that insurance than your
claim will not be sanctioned.
So check it out get yourself an overseas insurance which covers person with student visa.
I would recommend you to take United India Insurance's Plan D of Oversees Med
claim Policy Schedule.
Books for Electrical Engineering:
At UTA, three options are available for MS in Electrical Engineering.
1. Thesis Option (8 Subjects + Thesis Defense)
2. Project Option (10 Subjects + Project Defense)
3. Structure Option (12 Subjects)
According to the above options you need to study at least 8 subjects. So, it is advisable to
bring at least the same number of books with you.
Following is the link to the UTA Graduate Catalogue for detail course description. Go to
the link and decide which subjects you will like to study.
1. Web Link: http://orgs.uta.edu/GradCat2002/GradCat2002.htm
2. Now, click on: “College of Engineering”
3. Now, click on: “Department of Electrical Engineering”
In Graduate Catalogue, Page No. 143 to Page No. 149 is related to “Department of
Electrical Engineering”.
The “List of Books” describes the books in the following manner:
Example:
“Course Code at UTA”, (Course Name): “Book Detail”
EE 5305 (Advanced Electronics): “ANALYSIS & DESIGN OF ANALOG
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS” 3rd Edition, Author: Paul Gray and Robert Meyer
So, in above example, “EE 5305” is Course Code according to UTA Graduate
Catalogue, “Advanced Electronics” is Course name according to UTA Graduate
Catalogue, and “ANALYSIS & DESIGN OF ANALOG INTEGRATED CIRCUITS”
3rd Edition, Author :Paul Gray and Robert Meyer is the description of the Book.

Books useful for all the Majors in Electrical Engg. :

All the students generally study any three of the following subjects.
• EE 5302 (RSN): “Probability and Random Processes for Electrical Engineering”, 2nd
Edition, Author: Leon Garcia, ADDISON – WESLEY 1994.
• EE 5312 (VLSI): “Principles of CMOS VLSI Design” By N.H.E. Weste and
K.Eshraghian, New York: Addison-Wesley, 1993
• EE 5312 (VLSI): “Digital Integrated Circuits: A Design Perspective” By J.M.Rabaey,
Prentice Hall, 1996
• EE 5331 (Micro Sys. Engineering): “Communications Receivers” By U.L. Rohde, J.
Whitaker and T.T.N. Bucher, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill.
• EE 5340 (Semiconductor Device Theory): “Devices for Integrated Circuits: Silicon
and III-V Compound Semiconductors”, by H. Craig Casey, Jr., John Wiley & Sons,
New York, 1999. http://wiley.com/college/elec/casey171344/
• EE 5350 (DSP): “Discrete Time Signal Processing” By Oppenheim and Schafer.
Books Useful for VLSI Major:
• EE 5305 (Advanced Electronics): “ANALYSIS & DESIGN OF ANALOG
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS” 3rd Edition, Author: Paul Gray and Robert Meyer.
• EE 5312 (VLSI): “Principles of CMOS VLSI Design” By N.H.E. Weste and
K.Eshraghian, New York: Addison-Wesley, 1993.
• EE 5312 (VLSI): “Digital Integrated Circuits: A Design Perspective” By J.M.Rabaey,
Prentice Hall, 1996
• EE 5313 (Microprocessor Systems): “Intel Microprocessors: 8086 ……” By B. Brey.
• EE 5318 and EE 6318 (Advanced Analog VLSI System) : “Analog Integrated Circuit
Design” By Johns, David and Ken Martin, New York, John Wiley, 1997
• EE 5340 (Semiconductor Device Theory): “Devices for Integrated Circuits: Silicon
and III-V Compound Semiconductors”, by H. Craig Casey, Jr., John Wiley & Sons,
New York, 1999
• EE 5342 (Semiconductor Device Modeling and Characterization) “Semiconductor
Device Modeling with SPICE” 2nd ed., By Paolo Antognetti and Giuseppe
Massobrio, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1993.
• EE 5347 (Microwave Circuits) : “Microwave Semiconductor Circuit Design” by
Davis (CAPCO)
• EE 6318 (Advanced Analog VLSI System): “Analog Integrated Circuit Design” By
Johns, David and Ken Martin, New York, John Wiley, 1997
• EE 5349 (MEMS): “Micro machined Transducers Sourcebook” By T.A.Kovacs
WBC/McGraw-Hill Company, NY.

Books Useful for Power Electronics Major:

• EE 5374 (Power system Protective Relays): “Protecting Relaying”2nd Ed. By
Blackburn.
• EE 5384 (Optoelectronics): “Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices” 2nd Ed. By
Bhattacharya
• EE 5385 (Power Electronics Engineering): “Power Electronics: Converters,
Applications and Design” By Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland, William P. Robbins,
2nd Edition, © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; ISBN 0-471-58408- 8.

International Driver's License:

Be sure that you get your International Driver's Permit License.
In case, you don't know to drive a car, learn to drive it. It will save you a lot of dollars
because sooner or later you will be required to drive one, and learning to drive a car in
US is a very costly proposition. Plus you might have to request other students for favor,
which is best avoided, if you can help it.
So, start taking driving lessons, and DO GET YOUR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING
PERMIT. International Driving permit is valid for 1 year over here in Texas. Though
you will have to obtain an in-state American license eventually, an IDP will soon make
you functional on the road. The international driving permit is easily available from your
local RTO Office by showing your flight tickets Xerox copy, passport and your original
driver’s license. Check your local RTO Office for details.
Note: Both IDP document and the driving license of India are essential for driving car
over here. So don’t forget to bring the car license of India too along with your IDP.

Pre-Departure:
Packing
• Start your packing well in advance.
• Buy two good bags - 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 bags (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. For most other airlines the baggage specs
are almost similar. 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 particular about this]
• Carry on baggage: In addition you can carry a bag with linear dimension not
exceeding 115cm (45") onboard (fits beneath the seat). (Confirm)
• Contact your travel agent or airlines for details.

Things to be kept in the bags:

• Copy of all certificates/documents (originals in hand baggage)
• Important applying materials (transcripts, resume, SOP, reco 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 book]
• Copy of address book/telephone book/diary.
• Some stationery and related items suggested (not absolutely necessary - just for the
first few weeks) are : common items + airmail covers + few Indian razor blades for
cutting work + screw driver
• Medical history file
• 1 pair leather chappals, 2 Hawaii chappals (+ extra straps)
• Soap (bath), toothbrushes (slightly costly in the US - 1 or 2 bucks) etc, Cassettes &
CD's

Things to be kept in Hand Baggage

• Some medicines (including for air-sickness), sweater
• Novel/magazines/books to kill time in flight
• Mint, chewing gum, something to munch (of course they will feed you in flight)
• Original important documents (I-20, visa, tickets ...)
• Enough money (little cash, travelers' 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 (two sets of clothes,
valuables like calci, addresses, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc)

Things to be kept on person

Shorter extract of contact addresses - especially of people coming to pick you up.
Receipt got along with travelers' checks - in case you lose the TC's

Things to be left at home

• List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained
• 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
• Power of attorney - so that your parents can be authorized to look after anything on
your behalf

Things to be done in the last week before the flight

• Confirm your flight tickets and meal preferences (imp. for veggies).
• Call up & find if there is any delay or change of schedule of the plane (inform the
people coming to pick you up of any such change)
• Rest well - ready to face the long journey/jet lag
• Bid bye to all concerned

On the day of the flight * in-flight + later

• Since it is going to be a long flight wear something comfortable (cotton dress + full
hand shirt). Wear your shoes - in-flight you can remove them (some airlines give in-
flight shoes - else relax in socks)
• Be at the airport 3-4 hours before flight departure
• Collect $20 at the airport (part of it in $1)
• Relax during flight, sleep as much as possible
• for vegetarians - watch out before you eat - you may get non-Veg even if you had
asked for Veg. Veg. food is generally bland - fruits/juice are good choices. (Before
ordering anything on board check if you have to pay for it separately for it). Don't
hesitate to ask questions.
• Once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust
anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If
required don't hesitate to spend money. Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask
questions - usually they will answer all your queries properly - very different from
India.
Port of Entry Procedures:
In Flight
• Sometime before landing of your flight to USA, you will be asked to fill up two
documents,
** White Colored I-94 Immigration Arrival/Departure Record Form:
You have to fill up both, the Arrival AND Departure Section of the I-94. (i.e item
nos. 1 through 17 on the I-94 form) If you have any doubts regarding filling in that
form, do not hesitate to contact the Air-hostess. She will help you fill it out. That's the
form which will be honored by the INS and allow you to enter the US. Its not at all
complicated, its a pretty simple form.

** Customs Declaration Form 6059B:

You DO NOT have to pay any customs duty. So, fill up the form accordingly.
NOTE that the amount will have to be declared in US Dollars. The form will also ask
you to declare if you are carrying any fruits, plants, soil, etc. Say NO to the question.
And don't carry any fruits. Eatables will be allowed in, don't worry about it. But pack
them properly. All of us bring spices, pickles, papad, etc so, DO NOT DECLARE
THOSE.

• Check NO on point numbers 11, 12 and 13 and in point 14 indicate "•O•" which
means that you have nothing to declare. Here too, you can take the help of the Air
hostess, in case you have any doubts regarding filling in the Customs Declaration
Form.

Immigration
Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter - rush for them to
beat the queue. It might take 0.5-1 hour here. Keep the I-20 (all pages), Passport/Visa,
evidence of financial support and admission & aid letters ready. You will require it to
present it to INS before you get your two big bags back from the airport. So, don't ever
commit the mistake of putting your I-20, evidence of financial support and passport/visa
in the luggage that you check in with the airline. BIG TROUBLE, otherwise....
The officer will ask you to show your I-20, passport, visa and the I-94 Arrival/Departure
Record card that you just filled up in the flight. Usually, they won't ask for the evidence
of financial support, still it is advisable to keep it handy. Carry only the latest I-20 with
you, valid for this fall. Put all other non-important papers away.
The officer may ask you trivial questions like - is this your first time in the US? Student?
F-1 visa? Which Univ you are going to?? What major?? Etc. Tell all that is listed on the
I-20. Don't speak anything stupid like you might go to UTD, or might do EE or anything
which is not required.

YOU ARE GOING TO UTA AND DOING EE. That's it.

Say as per the I-20. Otherwise, you might just end up spending more time with the
officer.
 The officer will do the following: (MOST IMPORTANT)
• He will stamp the date and city of arrival (e.g. CHICAGO) on Page 3 your I-20
• He will detach the lower half (Departure Record) of I-94, stamp the date and city of
arrival on the lower half of I-94 and attach it to your passport on the page opposite
to your US visa.
• The INS will keep one copy of the I-20 and enter your Arrival record into the
computer.
• The INS officer will then return the other copy (Pages 3 and 4 of the I-20) after
writing "D/S" on Page 3 and the lower half of I-94, which he just attached to your
passport. (D/S means Duration of Status...which means that you are permitted to
stay in the US till you meet the requirements of being a STUDENT in US. In case
the officer doesn't staple the I-94 to your passport, take care to preserve it safely,
since it is one of the single most important documents for you while in US.
• Without either, the lower half of I-94 duly stamped and attached to your passport
OR your I-20 not stamped as described above, you are virtually not legal in US.
And it will create a HELL lot of other problems. Also, if you have any doubts, talk
with the INS officer politely.
• INS clearance is a very simple and straightforward process. Just be your normal
self, cool, calm and composed.
• You are now in the USA!
Keep the contact address of International office at UTA with you in case if you face
any problem:
International Office (open Monday - Friday 8.00 AM to 5 P.M.)
University Center, University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas - 76019.
Phone: 817 272 2355
Fax: 817 272 5005

Baggage Claim
Once the INS admits you by completing the above procedure, you will next be walking to
the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA to pick up the two big bags that you had checked. Just
before landing, the airline will intimate the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA no. Remember it
so that you can walk straight to the area. You will have other fellow passengers on the
flight that will also be walking to the same area. The flight number will be displayed on
the TV monitors where your baggage is being unloaded for you to claim it.
You will require a trolley to handle your luggage now. The trolley is FREE at some
airports, while at some other airports, they charge about 3 dollars. So, keep the dollars
handy, and get the trolley by paying. Usually, you will be handling your own baggage,
but if you hire someone to handle it for you, you usually pay a tip of about 1 to 2 dollars.
Just in case, your baggage doesn't arrive. DON'T PANIC. It happens sometimes. Wait
until the last piece of baggage has arrived. They will declare it when the entire flight's
luggage is out to the claim area. Even after that if you don't get your baggage,
instructions will be available on how to lodge a complaint with the airline about your lost
baggage. Complete the procedure and then walk out of the customs area along with your
handbag. Give them a forwarding address and phone number (which you will get in our
mail) where you can be reached. The airlines will take care of the rest. We can later on
follow up over phone, and things will be sorted out in due course of time. So, don't panic,
or worry that you have to catch the next plane from to Dallas. Take your time, and finish
off the procedure properly.
Only then do you walk towards the next step, which is CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.

Customs Clearance
Next, you will walk through the Customs Clearance. Here, you will simply walk through
a passage along with your baggage trolley and hand over the Customs Declaration Form
6059B to an Officer. Usually, nobody will ask you anything. Sometimes, they randomly
stop a person, and ask a question or two. If asked about the "theplas" tell them that they
are "dried Indian spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry. Answer truthfully,
whatever they ask. Sometimes, if they find it suspicious, they might throw out something
of your luggage. Let them do whatever they want to do, but do try to explain reasonably
that whatever is being thrown out is some eatable. You won't have any problems in this
area. It’s pretty simple; just walk through to get your first breath of air in the US.

Connecting Flights
If you will be continuing your journey by air, check in at the appropriate airline counter
as soon as you are through customs. In most airports, you might have to change terminals
to board your connecting flight. Please ask the airline representative at the counter about
changing terminals. You might have to use the Airport Transport System to do so. These
counters are right outside the customs area, usually. In case your flight came in late, or
the onward flight is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the airline on which you flew into
the country, to make arrangements for another flight and if the delay involves an
overnight stay, then the airline has to put you up for the night and also pay for your
meals. Do not let the airline representative convince you otherwise.

Note: Please Don't Panic if it so happens that your flight arrives late and the time for the
connecting flight is too near (say, within the next 10-15 minutes) for you to make it due
to Immigration and Customs delays. Simply follow the same actions outlined above and
get your airline to arrange things for you. Don't be rude, but be firm while dealing with
the airline representatives.
If a representative from the airline on which you will be traveling is outside the customs
area, tell him/her that you are taking the plane to Dallas. (Many times he/she will
telephone ahead and the plane will be held for a few minutes for you.)
Note: Don't forget to inform the person who is coming to pick you up to Dallas (DFW)
Airport regarding the missed flight and information about the next flight. Leave a
detailed message in the answering machine if person is not available on the phone.
Public telephones are located every where on the airport. A phone call requires
25/35/50 cents so keep some change with you. So sure you get change in American
Dollars at port of entry if you have not got it from India. All Port of Entries to United
States has a foreign Exchange counter where you can get $$$. Five or One Dollar Bills
can be changed in a changing machine or you can ask any one for change at the
terminal. Even the Shopkeepers inside the airport are helpful and don't mind giving
you change for the payphone so don't hesitate in asking for change. You can also buy
a coffee or soft drink with a dollar bill and get change.
American Terms Explained:
Currency
• Penny = 1 cent
• Nickel = 5 cents
• Dime = 10 cents
• Quarter = 25 cents
• Half Dollar = 50 cents
• Silver Dollar = 100 cents
American Terms and their Indian equivalence
• Apartment = Flat
• Bike = Cycle
• Big shot : a supposedly important person or someone who thinks he/she is
• Big deal : anything important, exciting
• Break the ice : make a beginning
• Buck : dollar bill
• Cab = Taxi
• Collect Call = A phone call for which the recipient of the call pays.
• Check out : look over a situation
• Cool : slang term denoting approval for something or someone
• Cop : slang for policeman
• Cut it out : stop it
• Down : to feel depressed, sad
• Down to earth : practical, straightforward, (person)
• Drop : to withdraw from a course on or before the set date
• Downtown = Central business district of any American city
• Elevator = Lift
• Eraser = Rubber
• Fall for : take a strong liking for
• Folks : Parents
• Gas = Petrol
• Give a ring : to call on the telephone
• Hood = Bonnet
• Hang on : in reference to the telephone it means do not hang up the receiver
• Hang in there : keep trying; do not be discouraged
• Have a lot on the ball : to be capable, talented, or efficient
• I.D. : identification
• In a nutshell : very briefly and concisely
• Long distance = STD/trunk call
• Mail box = Post box
• Motel = Inexpensive hotel
• Motorbike = Motorcycle
• Muffler = Silencer of a car
 • Make up :
To apologize after a fight or disagreement
To do an assignment after it was due
Cosmetics a woman uses
• Mid term : test given during the middle of the quarter
• Okra = Ladyfinger
• Old man : slang term for father
• Once in a blue moon : seldom, infrequently
• Out of it :
• somebody whose mind is Far away or preoccupied, or
• somebody not fitting into a certain group
• Out of sight : term of approval denoting something exciting or very good
• Payphone = Public telephone
• Pop-Quiz : a test given with no prior warning
• Restroom = Toilet
• Sidewalk = Footpath/Pavement
• Subway = Underground rail system
• Screwed up : confused
• Shook up : upset
• Show : movie or film, cinema
• Skip or cut : not go to class
• Trash can = Dustbin
• Zee = Letter 'Z'
• Zip code = Pin code
A guide to American Conversation
• The telephone is never engaged, it's always busy.
• You don't disconnect a phone, you simply hang up.
• You mail a letter and don't post it .......... and you use your yahoo to send e-mail
(not mail).
• You don't stop at the signals, you halt at the lights.
• You don't accelerate, you step on the gas.
• Your tire never punctures, you may have a flat.
• There are no petrol bunks or pumps, only gas stations.
• You don't stand in a queue, you are in a line.
• You no longer like something, you appreciate it.
• # is not hash, its pound.
• There’s no full stop after a statement, there's a period.

Yours
Venkat Ramana…Hyderabad
Fall’ 07
MS in EE