WHAT TO PACK?
AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD
Do NOT Pack
Too much clothing: San Antonio is a casual city and you’ll have plenty of time to shop for clothes. Food (fresh or dried): Visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internationalvisitors/agricultural-items for more information. Towels, Bed Sheets, Large Blankets, Pillows, Kitchenware: these items take up too much space in your suitcase. It will be cheaper to buy these items in the United States rather than paying for extra luggage pieces to bring them here. For the first night or two, we will have some bedding available in the guest rooms. Full-Size Toiletries (Shampoo, Body Wash, etc.): like with towels, bed sheets, etc…, full-size toiletries will take up too much space. You can purchase them once you get to San Antonio. We will have some samples available for you for the first night or two. School Supplies: Pens, Notebook, Highlighters, etc…; Don’t waste space with school supplies. You can buy all these essentials upon arrival.
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Personal Care Packing
Don’t worry about bringing shampoo, toothpaste or hair products, unless you require something special or something that is only available in your own country. Most things can be ordered or bought here. Bring with you: Comb/Brush, nail clippers, tooth brush Skin Care products, cosmetics Favorite scent or herbs that remind you of home Hairdryer/Curling/Straightening iron (See electronics section for voltage compatibility) Eyeglasses/Contact lenses (with spare ones), contact solution (eye care is expensive in the U.S) Sunglasses Personal Medicines (in original container, with copy of prescription) and dental corrective wear (Dental care and prescription medicines are expensive in the U.S) #UIWIntl
Luggage
& CarryOn Packing
Check the luggage and weight restrictions for your airlines and clearly label your luggage in case of delayed or lost: YOUR NAME, UIW Int’l Student Office 847 E Hildebrand Ave. Room 200 San Antonio, Texas 78212 Carry On Bag: Immigration Documents (Passport/Visa, I-20/DS-2019, Admission Letter and Packet) Change of clothes Toothbrush/toothpaste, hand sanitizer, comb/brush, deodorant Snacks, chewing gum Eyewear/extra contact lenses & solution Any required medication (in its original container) Travel pillow & small blanket or sweater (Planes get cold) Headphones & Music, something to read, a pen Laptop/Tablet, travel adapter/charger Cash Money USD ($100-200 in wallet, have a few $10’s & $20’s and keep $100 bills separate. Travelers checks, ATM card or credit card, if you used these not all will work in US, so make sure you check with your bank before you bring them A Photocopy of your passport, list of travelers check numbers (if you’re using travelers checks, you can also store these on your phone. Be sure to lock your phone and have a recovery option. Pack this in a separate place from your passport and travelers checks, in case those are lost or stolen Any original academic documents that Amy or MaKailey told you to bring with you.
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Electronics & Souvenir Packing
Back up all of your files on an external hard drive or cloud services, in case your laptop is stolen or broken on your trip. Check that all of your electronics are compatible for use in the U.S. U.S type outlets can be used with dual voltage (120/240V or 50/60 Hz) appliances safely. Travel adaptor or charger Portable charger or charging phone case Laptop, tablet (you can also buy them here) Camera or GoPro Unlocked phone (not all unlocked phones will work here, so consider buying a new one here) Small speaker set, headphones A couple of memories or artifacts: Photos of your family and friends that you can put in your new bedroom, a few cheap souvenirs from home to give to your new U.S friends and professors. Spices, teas, scents, or a few packaged food items that reminds you of home
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Clothing
& Souvenir Packing
Weather in San Antonio in December, January, February is cold (18 deg Celsius HIGH/4 deg Celsius LOW) and then we get cool in March and HOT again in April. Weather in San Antonio is HOT May through September (38/26), then cool in October, November (26/15). Bring: Short sleeves, long sleeves, T-Shirts Shorts, Skirts Pants (Slacks, Khakis) Jeans Sweaters (Classrooms are cold in the U.S) blazers Light Jackets, rain jacket and only 1 really warm jacket Suits, dress shirts/pants (1-2 sets) Sportswear (cold and warm weather), swim suit Pajamas (2-4) Undergarments – socks (athletic, dress) underwear, bra, slip, pantyhose Sneakers, casual shoes, sandals, flip flops, dress shoes Cultural traditional costumes (1-2 sets) – You will have lots of opportunities to show off your home countries culture and history Bring a backpack if you want, or you can buy one here. #UIWIntl
Travel Tips Check on your mobile phone plan before leaving to decide if it’s better to secure a local SIM or buy an international plan–roaming charges add up! We will have a resouces fair on campus so you can compare U.S. carriers
Save important phone numbers in your phone, like your country's embassy in the U.S., and your emergency contacts.
Update your UIW driver on any delays, missed connections or if you arrive early. You will get your driver assignments this week
If you need to exchange money, do it at your bank before you leave home or once you’ve arrived at your destination, as airport rates are more expensive
