Getting All Geared Up For The States.

Assalamualaikum,

There’s only two days until it’s time to bid farewell to Malaysia and say hello to the United States of America. Someone sent a question on my AskFM, saying that I should probably make a list of what to bring to the States, saying how it’d probably help other people who would be heading to the States as well.

So, here is it.

I owe a lot to a senior in Penn State, Kak Nabila Zulkifli, for her notes on packing list and other information for incoming US students. So to make things a lot easier for myself, and for those who might need it, here you go. A simplified version of what to do and bring to the States. [mind you, this list is not thorough, there are some things that some people might need, and others wouldn’t]

Important documents

1. Your I-20 document from your university.
2. Passport & USA Visa [to get a US Visa, please refer to www.ustraveldocs.com]
3. Boarding pass / flight tickets
4. University offer letter / acceptance letter
5. Scholarship offer letter [where applicable]
6. Financial affidavit
7. Health insurance documents / card
8. Medical check up results
9. Foundation / Diploma / College transcripts
10. Driving (international) license
11. Malaysian Bank Documents / ATM cards / Credit cards

Clothings & Stuff

1. Two sets of traditional clothings [ Baju kurung / baju raya / baju Melayu, cheongsam, sari, jubah, etc. Will come in handy during festive celebrations ]
2. A few sets of day clothes [ for the first few days in the States ]
3. A couple of jeans and blouses.
4. A sweater or a jacket.
5. Kain batik [ for the ladies ]
6. A pair or two of comfortable sneakers / shoes
7. For Muslimahs, bring along inners, kain dalam, scarves, hijabs, brooches and anything you might need to use.
8. A towel [ for the first couple of days before you buy one there ]
9. Some pairs of socks
10. Undergarments

Food & Stuff

1. Instant noodles [ Maggi, etc ]
2. Brahim’s instant paste & food
3. Stocks and cubes for cooking
4. Instant nasi impit / lemang for Raya celebration
5. Instant seasoning / paste [ Perencah nasi goreng, etc ]
6. Keropok, etc

For more info on what herbs and spices that you would want to bring, please refer to Kak Fatin’s notes here.

Religious Things

1. Al-Quran / Bible / any religious books
2. Yasiin
3. Sabun Taharah
4. Telekung [ 2 sets ]

Others

1. Stationaries
2. Laptop, chargers, phones & chargers
3. Camera(s)
4. Contact lenses, solutions, cases
5. Toiletries
6. First aid, bandages, medicines, etc
7. International adapters
8. TSA Padlock [ if your luggages do not come along with a TSA lock ]

So, it’s not much, but it’s the basic things that you might want to consider bringing to the States [ or to any country you’re going for your degree, anyway ] Credits to Kak Fatin for her notes, I couldn’t have put together my things if it wasn’t for her notes.

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Anyhow. Like I wrote, I only have two days left. And considering tomorrow is my family’s Raya Open House, tonight would probably be the last night I have to blog in Malaysia. I probably will be busy the whole day tomorrow and can’t steal any time to blog. Nevertheless, I will try to blog one post before I go. InsyaAllah.

Until next time, Assalamualaikum!