Booking your Ticket
Be sure that you book your airline ticket as early as possible in order to get the best price. Depending on when you decide to come to the U.S., it is possible that you will hit a peak travel season, usually during the summer and late November and December. At that time, tickets may cost up to twice as much as usual.
Arrival
You should arrive at your school at least two weeks to one month before registration, so that you have plenty of time to settle down properly before school starts. If you know ahead of time that you will not be able to make it to registration or orientation for some reason (visa delay, etc.), be sure you give your school's international student advisor a call and explain your situation. Usually your student advisor can offer helpful advice.
Luggage Requirements
Most airlines allow their passengers to check in two pieces of luggage, plus one or two smaller pieces of carry-on luggage. The check-in luggage should probably not exceed 88 pounds (40 kilograms) in total (you can check with your airline to find out their exact weight specifications). The carry-on item must meet certain size requirements so that it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you or does not take up too much space in the overhead compartment. If your luggage exceeds these limits, the airline will charge you extra to transport it.
Shipping
If you want to bring a lot of your belongings with you, you can ship them. Most schools provide a temporary address to which to mail your boxes, and they will be kept there until your arrival. Many international shipping companies offer delivery services. Try to contact a shipper for pricing and packaging regulations before you ship your belongings overseas. Here are some options:
- UPS: http://www.ups.com/
- DHL: http://www.dhl-usa.com/index
Customs Inspection
The contents of your luggage and boxes must pass the U.S. custom's inspection, meaning that you cannot transport items such as plant material, illegal software, fruit or meat, and contraband, which are not allowed to enter the U.S. from foreign countries. For more a more thorough description of these regulations, click here: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/travel.htm