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Medicines to pack before you leave India
I asked Dr. Pooja — an MBBS graduate from India who is now a research scholar in the US — to put together a medicine list you can carry without a prescription and without any issues at customs. Here is what she recommends:
For headaches and migraines, carry your own personal medication if you have one that works for you. For general headaches, Diclofenac or Aceclofenac will do the job.
For fever, pack Crocin or a combination of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.
For vomiting, carry Ondansetron (Citron).
For stomach pain or menstrual cramps, Dicyclomine or Meftal Spas are good options.
For diarrhoea, pack at least 10 sachets of ORS along with Loperamide as an anti-diarrheal.
For cough, bring a syrup containing the combination of Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin — brand names like Tusq-DX or Ascoril work.
For antibiotics, carry Azithromycin 500mg and Amoxyclav 625mg.
For cold and allergies, Monte LC (which contains Montelukast and Cetirizine) is the one to have.
Finally, pack Band-Aids, Soframycin ointment, and Burnol (for minor burns and wounds).
These cover the most common ailments you are likely to face in the first few months. If you wear glasses, this is also the moment to sort that out — glasses are extremely expensive in the US, so bring two to three pairs with you from India.
Documents and vaccinations to have ready before you fly
This section is based on what Anjinshu — a PhD student at George Mason University and a graduate of my 7-day F1 prep course — put together as part of his own pre-departure system. He is one of the most organised people I know, and his checklist is genuinely thorough.
Aside from your visa and passport, there are a few things that catch students off guard.
Many universities require you to complete immunisation documentation before you start. The common requirements are proof of a tuberculosis (TB) test (usually a blood test that costs around ₹2,000), proof of your Tdap shots, and proof of your MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination. Requirements vary by university, so check with your specific institution well in advance — do not leave this for the last week.
If you are starting as a teaching assistant or have any employment offer from the university, you will likely need to complete HR paperwork and a signed contract before your first day. Some universities also require a background check through a third-party organisation (Anjinshu's university used TrueScreen) that verifies your home address and checks for any criminal record.
Get all of this started early. It takes more time than you expect.
What to buy in India before you leave
The general advice Anjinshu follows — and which I agree with — is to buy as much as possible in India, because it is cheaper. Cotton clothing in particular is better value here than in the US.
Luggage
Anjinshu's ticket allowed two checked bags of 23kg each, one carry-on of around 7kg, and a separate laptop bag worn on your back. Check your specific ticket, as some airlines offer additional checked baggage allowances for students — it may not appear on the website but is worth asking about closer to check-in.
Importantly, make sure your suitcases have TSA locks. US customs officers are authorised to open checked bags for inspection, and if they cannot open your lock, they will cut it. TSA-approved locks let them open and relock your bag without cutting anything. Hard-shell suitcases cost more, but this is a one-time expense that is worth it.
Clothes
Keep this simple. Make sure you have at least one formal outfit for career fairs and interviews. Traditional Indian clothing is worth bringing from home. Everything else — casual everyday wear — you can figure out once you are there.
Electronics
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Book a Mock InterviewOne thing Anjinshu specifically flagged from his own research: bring a spike buster with voltage protection. This protects your Indian appliances from US voltage fluctuations and gives you more plug points in your room.
Toiletries
There is one rule here: liquids on a plane are restricted, so pack everything in smaller sizes and keep it to one unit of each item. You do not need to overstock — most basic toiletries are available in the US.
Money and forex
Get a multi-currency forex card before you leave — Anjinshu got his through HDFC's multi-currency forex card programme. He loaded around $1,000–$1,500 onto it and kept $500 in cash. You will need this to cover expenses until your US bank account is set up, which takes a little time after you arrive.
Kitchen and utensils
A saucepan and a frying pan will cover most of what you need to cook. Anjinshu's reasoning for skipping the pressure cooker was practical — it is heavy and bulky, and rice and potatoes (his staples) cook fine in a saucepan. That said, if dal and curries are central to your cooking, you may want to reconsider.
For everything else in the kitchen, Walmart sells basic utensil sets for around $30–$50, so there is no need to overpack this category.
Food items and spices
You cannot carry perishable food items on the flight. For non-perishables, the list is short — but do not forget masalas and spices. They are harder to find in the right varieties in the US, and your mother will almost certainly remind you to pack them anyway.
What to buy after you arrive in the US
Some things are either too bulky to carry, not worth buying in India, or simply better purchased once you are there.
At the top of this list: a SIM card. Buy one as soon as you land. You will also want an extension cord or power strip, and a travel adapter if you did not already pick one up in India.
One small but important thing — carry a pen with you on the flight. Immigration arrival forms still exist on some routes and you will need to fill them out by hand on the plane.
If you are starting as a teaching assistant or have employment paperwork, plan to complete all of that in your first week. It is a lot of admin, but your university's international student office will guide you through it. Most universities run an international student orientation that covers tax sessions, health insurance explanations, and for teaching assistants, a walkthrough of your responsibilities. Lean on that process — it exists precisely to help you.
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