Thigs to Do - Once you get here
What are the things to be done after you arrive here?

Having overcome the ordeal of a 24 hour flight from India and reached ISU, we recommend that you do the following.

Call Home
Parents panic and worry that what their children must be doing. Although we are responsible adults, but parents do worry. So call home. Most of the calls made to India are through calling cards. You can request the person you are staying with to buy you a calling card online. You can also send an email to your parents informing of your having reached safely.

Eat
Make sure that you are not hungry. Once you reach ISU do not hesitate to eat food at the place where you are staying. You do not want to do any damage to your health. Do not hesitate to ask. We generally cook our own food here, your host will cook food for you or you might have to cook food for yourself. A few basic cooking skills (Dal and Rice) might come to good use. You also can eat outside if you feel more comfortable doing that. You can also bring some ready to eat food from India, but make sure you do not neglect other important items so that you can carry food.

Sleep
Get your sleep. Sleep as much as you can on the first night as there is a long day waiting for you the next day. Sleep also helps incase you are affected by jet lag.

Next few days @ ISU
  • Go for the Registration/Orientation usually held at Atkin-Colby Halls or the place that is mentioned in the letters that have been send to you. Make sure you attend the orientation which is usually spread over a week's time. It helps you to familiarize with the place, rules and regulation and lot many other things that will help you.
    Incase you missed the Registration/Orientation dates, go to the Admission Office in 210 Hovey Hall. Take your I-20 and Passport along and staff at the office will guide you with the admission and registration formalities.
  • Call your Undergraduate or Graduate Advisor and take an appointment. Meet them and inform about your arrival. They will help you register your classes and courses you wish to take. They will also elaborately explain the degree plan you are working on. Do not forget to take your I-20 along. Do not be late for the appointment. Americans are very particular about being punctual.
  • Go to the redbird card office in Bone Student Centre at ISU. Take your Passport and I-20 Along. You will get a Redbird Card which will be your identification card on Campus. You can use this card to access computer labs in departments and library.
  • Take an appointment with the Health Services. Take your I-20 and Health Report With you. Do not get late for the appointment as you will be fined for it.
  • Go to the local bank and open your account in the bank. Deposit all your money there and keep some cash with you. People write checks and use credit/debit cards for all the transactions. There are two popular local banks near campus. These are Commerce Bank and ISU Credit Union. There are others around the campus but these banks let new students open new accounts without much hassles.
  • After all this has been done; familiarize yourself with the other new students. Once you have decided on your roommates and the apartment type you want to stay in you can go visit the Realties and finalize your apartment lease.

Later on...
Apply for a driver's license. (Requires Social Security Number, done in Orientation at the University)
Get your State Identity Card (Requires Social Security Number, done in Orientation at the University)