Things to bring with you when coming to the US

• Letter of admission and housing contract. These two items are essential as they prove you have been accepted into the University and that you have a place to stay. At immigration you may be asked to validate your admission to the University, and having these documents in possession will help.
• When bringing your passport, check that it's expiration date is valid for a few months after your arrival into the United States.  If this is not the case, make sure you notify the Pakistani Embassy and have them issue you a new passport as soon as possible. 
  Embassy of Pakistan
• Determine whether your visa is "multiple entry" or not.  If your visa is not "multiple entry" understand that it will become invalid if you leave the United States.
• Make sure that you bring your I-20 or SEVIS form (issued by the University).  Without this you will not be allowed to enter the United States.
• Keep your I-94 departure record safely inside your passport (you will receive your I-94 upon arriving in the United States).  Do not lose your I-94 record as it can cause problem when you are ready to leave the United States.
• Bring documents proving that you have financial resources in the United States from which you will be able to support yourself during your stay.  Have your latest bank statements along with a certified letter from your bank showing your amount of funds in US dollars with the latest exchange rate.
• Make sure to photocopy all of the above documents; being a new student, these are all the documents which can be used to identify you.  Also, keep your photocopies in a different place in case of lost luggage.
  

• It is recommended to apply for an international license in Pakistan because it will allow you to drive in the United States for a certain amount of time.  Eventually, you will need to apply for a Michigan State operator license, and having an international license from Pakistan will allow you to take your road test immediately after passing the written test, instead of having to wait the usual 30 days.  A provincial driver's license wil not suffice.
• Bring your A-level or International Baccalaureate (IB) transcripts. These will allow you to skip introductory courses for certain subjects and will give you credit hours. Usually the University will have already recieved your final grades from A-levels or IB and will have awarded you with advanced placement; however, in case of this not happening it will be helpful to have your transcripts.  It is not necessary to bring your original copies, certified photocopies from your institution will also do.
• Refer to the following webpage for more information on obtaining credit for IB or Advanced Placement (AP).  You will normally get credit for A-levels if you recieve a C or higher in each subject. 
  Admissions IB & AP Info
• Bring your standardized test scores. Chances are that the University has received them during the application process, but in case you have not been given waivers for elementary courses it will be safer to bring copies.
• Having a credit card with you for the initial days at the University is a good idea, even better is to come with some cash.  If you are coming directly to the University, bring around $250-300 cash (small bills are preferred).  Since you will hopefully be opening a bank account upon reaching the University you can always deposit or wire money into your account without taking the risk of travelling with a lot of money (You need not worry about housing or food expenses since you will be living in the dorms).  If you are under 18 years of age, opening a bank account may pose a problem.  If this is the case, make sure you have an adult open the account for you.
  
• If you have gotten in touch with your roommate(s), make sure to ask him/her what they intend to bring to the dorm room, in order to avoid duplicate items.  Dorms are small, so be sure not to bring too much with you.
• Make sure to bring pictures of your family and friends.
• Passport sized photos are also very handy to have.
  
• Purchase an international phone card or buy one at the airport (though more expensive).  Make sure to keep important phone numbers with you on hand.  Do not lose them in case you are in need of help and need to contact your relatives or friends.

• Please travel with only the most necessary items. Once you begin packing you will notice that your 'necessary items' are more than you expected.  Items like towels, bed sheets and pillows are obviously available here, so please don't bother bringing them.
• Do bring your summer clothes; however, Winter in Michigan is fierce so bring a light jacket when you arrive in the Fall (as it may be a little chilly).  If you are arriving during the Winter semester, make sure you have a heavy coat and warm clothing.  Buying Winter clothing from Pakistan may be cheaper but it might be better for you to buy such things when in the United States as you could use  the extra space in your luggage to fit other items.  There are stores near campus, and the International Center will be chartering buses to these stores for you to buy things (you can use public buses later in the year too).  It usually does not get cold in Michigan until around late September.
• If you wear prescription glasses, bring two pairs with you with the latest prescription, if possible.  Purchasing glasses in the United States can be very expensive.
  
• Bring enough toiletries to last for a few days.
  
• If you are bringing any electronics from Pakistan, please remember that the voltage in the United States is different.  The United States uses 110-120 volts @ 60 cycles, so bring an adapter if you have electronics which run at 220 volts.

• It is not important to bring any of your own textbooks since classes at the University follow their own required texts closely.  Even if you feel your books may help you revise some topics, you can almost always find the same books at one of the libraries on campus.
• Don't bring any stationary. You can purchase these things on campus at moderate prices.
  
• Don't bring more than $10,000 cash as you will be required to declare it at immigration.
  

• If possible, get your medical and dental checkups done in Pakistan unless there is a certain reason not to.

• International students have the option of moving into their dorm room a week early. If you would like to schedule an early move-in, check the following housing website for a 'move in early' request

UM Housing

• There are many hotels in the University area if your parents require a temporary place to stay.  Book your room(s) well in advance for it can be hard to find rooms on short notice.  The earlier you make your reservations with a nearby hotel/motel the better the price you will get.  Refer to the following link for information on hotel accommodations:

UM Hotel Information

• The nearest airport is Detroit Metro.  The distance from campus by car is about 30 minutes.  Taking a taxi from Detroit Metro to the campus will cost you around $40 dollars.
• Make sure you have a campus map if you will be going directly to your dorm room.  Campus maps are available at the following website:
  

UM Campus Maps


• If you don't have a map, go to the Michigan Union Information Desk (Michigan Union is at the intersection of South University and State Street) and ask them for a map and any other information you might need.

• After arriving at the University make your way to the Student Activities Building (SAB) M-Card office to pick up your M-Card.  This will be your University ID, your means to get dorm meals, your access card to the University's computing sites and most importantly your key to your residence hall (dorm).
• Once you have acquired your M-Card and are allowed (by your housing contract) to move in, you can go directly to your residence hall's (dorm) reception area to sign in and get your room keys.
• Try to open a bank account as soon as possible.  Although International Orientation will cover all this, you may like to go and open your account and transfer some funds in order to prevent any cash flow problems.
• A good site which covers other important matters is below. Do read everything on this site as it provides very important and useful information:
  

International Center - International Students

• Orientation will cover everything you need to know about the University.  It will cover everything from student insurance to peer pressure to how to get around campus to where you can buy your books. Attend all the orientation activities because it is a good time to not only get used to the campus but it is also a good way to meet other international students like yourself.  Orientation is extremely important, do not miss it!

• Students with Pakistani passports who are not US Permanent Residents may have some extra procedures to follow. You will be briefed by immigration when you enter the country as to what these procedures are. However, it may be of good use to check the following website:
  

International Center - Legal Information