Before I left for the U.S., I attended all the orientations about what life would be like there. I heard tons of useful advice about how to prepare, what to pack, and what to expect. And like most people, I scoffed at some of that advice. But boy I wish I hadn’t!
Settling into Indiana was not as easy as I thought it would be, and I quickly began to regret not listening to the suggestions of what to bring with me from home. Here are the top 3 things I really wish I had brought, and the advice you shouldn’t ignore when it’s time for your orientation.
1. Toiletries
Not packing toiletries such as lotion and soap from home was the first thing I greatly regretted. I am ashamed to say that when the helpful ladies at the EducationUSA orientation gave us this advice, I laughed at it. “I am going to America, where everyone has great skin and looks (and probably smells) good, and everything costs US$1,” I thought. “I will buy it there.”
Unfortunately, when I arrived in Indiana it turned out the supermarket is very far from where I live and only accessible by bus.
When I finally figured out the bus route and managed to get there, I was bombarded by more choices in face wash, lotions, cleansers, and all manner of soaps than I had ever seen in my life!