Your Ultimate Survival Checklist for the First Week in the USA

Just landed and feeling a bit lost? 🤔 Don’t worry! Drawing from my own experiences, I’ve compiled the ultimate “Golden 7 Days” survival checklist for all newcomers. Let’s dive in and get organized! ✨

📌 Urgent Matters Within the First 24 Hours

1️⃣ Activate Your SIM Card

• Head to one of the T-Mobile or AT&T booths at the airport to grab a prepaid SIM card. I highly recommend Mint for its affordability and reliability!
• Make sure your home country phone plan has international roaming activated; you’ll need it for verification codes!

2️⃣ Check-In & Location Sharing

• Send your family your location and dorm address immediately. It’s helpful to include a translated version in English for emergencies.
• Download offline Google Maps and mark essential spots like your campus and nearby grocery stores! ⭐️

3️⃣ Cash is King!

• Withdraw about $500 in cash, as many Chinese restaurants only accept cash!
• While setting up a bank account, you can use your passport and rental agreement to obtain a temporary debit card at Walmart.

🏠 Housing-Related Matters

4️⃣ Inspect Your Apartment

• Document every corner of your apartment with photos and videos and send them to your landlord. This helps avoid losing your security deposit.
• Check the utilities: water, electricity, heating, and smoke detectors. Trust me, you don’t want to be jolted awake in the middle of the night by a smoke alarm! 😭

5️⃣ Buy Bedding ASAP

• Head to Target or Walmart to get memory foam pillows and blankets. Don’t bother with bringing them from home; they take up too much luggage space!
• Take advantage of Amazon’s student Prime discount for great deals! Just search for “.edu email discount”.

📚 Academic Preparations

6️⃣ Report to School OISS

• Bring your I-20 and passport to check your SEVIS status, or risk a fine of over $200!
• Get your campus ID, and inquire about your health insurance coverage; dental and vision might require additional costs.

7️⃣ Leverage School Benefits

• Visit the library to pick up free stationery and headphones!
• Schedule a fitness assessment at the gym – swimming pools and yoga classes are often free for newcomers!

💳 Essential Survival Needs

8️⃣ Set Up Your Bank and Credit Card

• Look into student accounts with Chase or Bank of America, which have no annual fees.
• I recommend the Discover credit card – you can apply without an SSN, plus you’ll earn 5% cash back!

9️⃣ Get Your SSN/ITIN

• If you’re working on campus or as a TA, applying for an SSN is quick – don’t delay!
• For those who can’t wait, contact a CPA to apply for an ITIN, especially useful for online shopping tax refunds!

🍱 Essential List for Food Lovers

🔟 Asian Grocery Shopping List

• Pack your Lao Gan Ma and Luosifen at the top of your suitcase; trust me, it’s a hard lesson learned!
• Frozen dumplings paired with hot pot base make the perfect college survival meal during finals!

✨ Bonus Hidden Tasks

• Download the TooGoodToGo app to snag surprise grocery bags for only $5!
• Join local Chinese WeChat groups for second-hand furniture, carpooling, or purchasing assistance!

💡 A Little Advice from My Experience

Consider shipping some of your luggage ahead of time to make your arrival much more manageable. This way, you’ll feel lighter and less stressed from the get-go!

Remember, these first few days are crucial in your journey as an international student, so take a deep breath and enjoy the adventure ahead! #StudyinUSA #InternationalStudents #NewBeginnings