What to Bring
The Right Clothes
Consider the climate of Indianapolis when deciding what clothes to bring with you. Indianapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons; it is quite humid in the summer. Warm clothing for the winter could cost from U.S. $400–$600 if purchased new after you arrive. Used clothing can be purchased for much less. There is a wide temperature range for each season.
Temperature Ranges
| Season | Months | Fahrenheit | Celsius |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | June-September | 50 to 95 | 10 to 35 |
| Autumn | September-November | 30 to 80 | -2 to 25 |
| Winter | November-March | 0 to 45 | -18 to 7 |
| Spring | March-June | 40 to 72 | 5 to 22 |
Money for Initial Expenses
You should bring with you at least U.S. $1,000–$1,500, even if you will be receiving IUPUI funding. You will need this money to pay for temporary housing, moving-in expenses for long-term housing, food, transportation, books, supplies, and other necessary items during your first few weeks in the U.S. (Payments to graduate students on assistantships and visiting scholars begin about four to six weeks after arrival.):
- Bring most of your money in traveler’s checks that you can easily replace if they are lost or stolen. Obtaining traveler’s checks may seem troublesome, but it is an important security measure. Traveler’s checks can be replaced—cash cannot!
- If you are bringing a bank check, have it made out to yourself—not the university—so that you can deposit the funds in a bank account here and then arrange for tuition and other payments. The University cannot accept checks greater than the amount of the first semester’s tuition.
- Bring some cash—U.S. $100–$200 in small bills ($10 and $20 bills) and several dollars in coins (especially "quarters," worth $0.25). Automatic teller machines (ATMs) frequently have a $300 per day limit on cash withdrawals.
- Carry your money, traveler’s checks, and valuables in several places on your person, such as a wallet or purse, a separate pocket, and a pouch worn around your neck, waist, or under your clothing. That way, if your bag, wallet, or purse is stolen, you have not lost everything.
Household Items
Most apartments—even furnished ones—are not equipped with the following items. Packing or sending some items in advance will save the expense of buying them, and may help you during the first few weeks while you get settled: bedding (pillow, blanket, bed sheets); bath towels; kitchen utensils (pots or pans, cups, bowls, plates, eating utensils, etc.).
Other Items
- Passport, visa, SEVIS Fee receipt and I-20 or DS1029
- Financial Documents in case they are requested at port-of-entry
- Extra copies of your visa documents in case you lose your originals (keep in a separate place)
- Letter of Admission from IUPUI
- Medical Records
- Transportation Voucher for airport pick-up
- Phone numbers/addresses of important contacts in the U.S.
- Emergency contact information for others to reference
- Medications and basic First Aid kit
- Original academic documents from your previous school if required on your letter of admission
- Home country driver's license
- Basic toiletries
- Credit Card
- Food/snacks to hold you over until you can shop