tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316803642009-10-03T01:40:16.352-07:00Must Read Tips for People Going/Planning to USADestination USAnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153907253279656492006-07-26T02:46:00.000-07:002008-05-26T11:27:22.520-07:00

These excellent tips have been compiled by an Indian student in the US to help those who are going or planning to study/work in the United States.Great Deals @ USA (NEW!)1. Introduction2. Carry Luggage3. The Arrival4. Using Telephones5. Public Transport6. Mind your language7. The Anti-Universe phenomenon8. FOOD, I'm hungry9. Office and the Work Environment10. Americans and their Behavior11.

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153903661029771592006-07-26T01:45:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:47:41.140-07:00

Usually, before anyone comes to the U.S.A for the first time from India he/she will start talking to people who have been here before and get information from them about what to expect, what to do etc. Though this gives some idea it doesn't make one confident or better prepared and moreover how much can one absorb at once. So we felt the need for a small, informal site which anyone could read

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153903502280724092006-07-26T01:44:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:45:02.583-07:00

The carry baggage is the biggest problem while coming to U.S. What to carry? How much to carry? Do I carry more woolen clothes 'cause its cold out there? Well, we all think, it depends!! Don't carry too many heavy utensils, cooker etc. You can buy most of the utensils there. They are not costly and you don't have to carry much. You can carry some spices with you if you want to, 'cause after

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153903427690922032006-07-26T01:42:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:43:47.816-07:00

Enjoy your flight. Try to learn more about other nations from the co-passengers. There can be international stops on your way to the U.S. 3.1 International Stops : Generally passengers are required to get down at an International stop, which might be for Security checkup or cleaning of the airplane. You will be given a 'transit card` or say 'transit visa`. Normally the halt is for a couple of

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153903317884824532006-07-26T01:40:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:42:05.273-07:00

The first thing you might do when you come to USA is calling someone. So this is a good time to tell you about telephone usage. Telephone calls within U.S. are considered "local" (within the area of the caller) or "long distance" (outside the area of the caller). Local calls within a short region are free unless made from a public pay phone, which is a coin-operated machine. Long distance calls

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153903125443287112006-07-26T01:37:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:38:45.513-07:00

All major cities have some sort of public transportation not necessarily very good or frequent or well connected. Therefore most people prefer to travel by their own cars. It is better that you own a car in the U.S. so that you are independent. But till you get to buy a car you can use the public transportation system or depend on your friends/colleagues for a ride. 5.1 Trains and Buses : In

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902943552753702006-07-26T01:31:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:35:43.693-07:00

For successful conversation, in the US , it is advisable that you speak slowly and pronounce properly. Well, the first part you really need to practice otherwise what you will hear from the person opposite is "pardon me", "come again", "I am sorry", "I didn't get you". e.g. The changes in pronunciation are like 'schedule' pronounced as 'skedule', 'route' pronounced 'raut' etc. Also some words

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902682323732082006-07-26T01:30:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:31:22.703-07:00

When you come to the U.S. you will notice the opposite everywhere. You will get the feeling "These guys are crazy" .....almost everything you try to do will fail even if it is a small thing like switching ON the lamp !!!!"This is just to make you get a hang of it. The cars are driven on the right hand side instead of left hand side of the road. So you should look left first while crossing roads :

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902598579500912006-07-26T01:29:00.000-07:002008-07-04T11:42:40.366-07:00

Of course you must be hungry, when you arrive. God knows what you ate on the plane. You don't remember the neither item's name nor its contents. It may be one of the weirdest things you ever had for dinner or lunch. So you must be apprehensive about what you will get for lunch or dinner. The best thing you can try is PIZZA, which is pronounced as "PiTza". You get both Veg. and NonVeg Pizzas.

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902517368925082006-07-26T01:28:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:28:37.593-07:00

Before you start your first day, get a hang of how the work environment is at the client's place from any PCS person there or read on for some typical environments you may find. - Project Leaders are very understanding and friendly. And do not unduly pressurize you to perform. They will definitely give you some time to come up to speed on their work environment. - There is a lot of

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902458261298012006-07-26T01:26:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:27:38.406-07:00

It’s helpful to know how Americans typically will be. Otherwise you will start feeling "These people are great dramatists... ". Here are some tips:- - Americans are very friendly and helpful. - They don't make you feel like a foreigner. (Though you feel!) - It is very easy to adjust with them. But they don't like people getting very inquisitive or trying to get too personal in the initial

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902394476091292006-07-26T01:25:00.001-07:002006-07-26T02:37:45.256-07:00

NOTE: The first official thing you should do without being asked to, is to apply for your Social Security Number - details are given in this doc. After arriving in USA one gets a package from DCI. This package consists of different types of forms. The most important one being the Medical Insurance form. Don't be careless about this, make sure to fill and return it soon. After receiving this

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902344023331502006-07-26T01:25:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:25:48.366-07:00

You must go and get your social security number and driving license done immediately after you come.12.1 Social Security NumberEach individual in Unites States is required to be registered with US government by law. The way we have registration in India through Ration Card it is Social Security here.This number is very useful for the government as well as the for the individual. Government can

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902274587661462006-07-26T01:23:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:24:34.656-07:00

Driver's license is one of the most important documents required in United States . Apart from driving needs it is required at almost all the places where you need to show your ID. Mainly because this is the only valid Identity card which is required and approved at all the places.Here in US most of the money transactions are done via checks or Credit cards. Initially when you don't have credit

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902168895014072006-07-26T01:21:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:22:48.990-07:00

- They are basically of two types - Savings a/c (with interest) - Checking a/c (with NO interest) - Generally most people open a Checking a/c at first. - To open an account you need a social security number, however since it takes a week or more to get the social security number one can request the bank to verify the passport and open the a/c. Later do remember to inform the bank once you

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153902086954930452006-07-26T01:19:00.000-07:002008-01-06T10:48:11.153-08:00

- It is a fashion to collect cards of all types and store them in ones purse. The cards here refer to the plastic type e.g. credit cards. - So there are cards such as: Credit card, Debit card, Bank ATM card, Shopping Store cards (e.g. Sears card; "SEARS" is the name of a chain of stores in the U.S. ) Medical benefit card, Telephone calling card, Public library membership cards. -

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901978227496622006-07-26T01:18:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:19:38.700-07:00

The American system of sizes and measurement is different from that in India . Most of the shops in the U.S. are the equivalents of super markets in India . You can go around the shop, buy what you want and pay at the counter. The important difference you will notice is, the shops are driven by customer service. So if you don't like anything that you bought or it doesn't fit you properly

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901882689190232006-07-26T01:17:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:18:02.763-07:00

Now that you have started your work you would like to move into your apartment rather than stay in the motel. Here is what you should know about renting an apartment. You can get information on how to rent an apartment from the "Apartments" section of the Yellow Pages, newspaper or “ Rental Guides” which are available at the stores. To lease (rent) an apartment you should consider following

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901801514801582006-07-26T01:15:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:16:41.520-07:00

If you are going to stay at a particular place for quite some time say more than three months, then its better to buy a car rather than rent one. Buying a car involves quite some work. Its better to be cautious while buying a car, 'cause owning a car brings you freedom and you own a vehicle but you need to maintain the car and take care of any problems. The main concern while buying a

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901707684765312006-07-26T01:13:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:15:07.686-07:00

Car is a necessity in most of the places here in U.S. Either you buy a car or you can rent a car. You can pay either a monthly rate or daily rent. Though it’s expensive to rent a car for a month or so, it might be required if you are going to stay at that place for a small period of time. Here is some information you will need OR should know when you want to rent a car. - The driver/

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901572136239562006-07-26T01:12:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:12:52.136-07:00

God forbid, but if something happens to you, here is what you should know: - The Medical Benefit Card, which is sent by the Medical Insurance Company, is an important card and should be acquired at the earliest. Fill up the Medical forms sent by DCI and return those immediately to DCI to ensure that you are registered with the Insurance Company after you land in the U.S. - This

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901481807489472006-07-26T01:10:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:11:21.810-07:00

Income Tax return filing is very simple in US as compared to India . Here Tax forms are very simple and easy to fill up. One need not know all about Taxation laws, but still can very easily file tax return. Here in US there are two types of taxes. One is the FEDRAL Tax, which is something like our Income tax, and the other is the STATE Tax. Last day of filing the income tax return is 15th of

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901415837869512006-07-26T01:09:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:10:15.840-07:00

We wanted to mention this specially 'cause its very helpful for a person who is new to U.S. AAA read as 'triple A' stands for "American Automobile Association" is an auto club, which provides you with all kinds of tour, and travel information. It provides you with all the maps and travel guides, which you will need. It also has services like towing, opening your car door lock in case you get

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901368985388592006-07-26T01:08:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:09:28.986-07:00

Here are a few ways to send money to India : Personal Check (drawn on a US Bank). A lot of letters wrote tome that though there is a delay involved (from deposit to encashability), Indian Banks do NOT charge a service fee.SBI Chicago has a provision wherein they charge you $5.00 as commission and you can get a draft made IN INDIAN RUPEES right here in the US and sent to India. Takes 5-6

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31680364.post-1153901244221334852006-07-26T01:06:00.000-07:002006-07-26T01:07:24.226-07:00

U don't open conversation (on telephone) with a “Hello” but with a “Hi” The telephone is never “engaged”, it's always “busy”. U don't “disconnect” a phone, U simply “hang-up”. U never “mess-up” things, U only “screw them up”. U never have a “residence” tel. no., U have a “home” no. U don't stop at the “signals”, but halt at the “lights”. U don't “

Indian Studentnoreply@blogger.com6