Hello! Welcome to my blog. First of all, congratulations on your admission to Amherst College! Now it’s time for the most exciting but sometimes overwhelming activity: deciding what to bring from your home country to your school in the US. There are so many things I wish I brought with me my first year, and there are so many things I wish I didn’t bring because they took up so much space! In this post, I will give you a suggested list of must-bring things and things you ought to buy once you arrive on campus.
- WHAT TO PACK
- In your backpack, have all your Travel Documents: a valid passport, your visa, your I-20, etc. For a comprehensive guide to your must-have documents, check out this site: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/our-community/international/newly-admitted-students/faqs-for-new-international-students/node/701995#:~:text=You%20must%20have%20your%20initial,countries%20exempted%20from%20this%20rule.
- Shoes and Clothes: When you arrive, it will be quite hot, so I recommend packing plenty of warm-weather clothing. Bring casual clothes, some formal wear, and party outfits. Make sure to have enough shoes, but remember that you can always buy more here if needed. During Pre-Orientation, there will be a yard sale where everything is free. You’ll find a wide range of donated items like clothes, shoes, school supplies, fans, and more, all in good condition and ready for use.
- Personal Electronics: I highly recommend bringing your own laptop, but if that’s not possible, Amherst College’s IT department offers a variety of laptops that you can borrow for two weeks or more. When you arrive, you’ll receive a new SIM card and power adapters compatible with your devices. For some classes, having an iPad or tablet can be more convenient, so consider getting one. You can buy it here or borrow one from IT while you wait to purchase your own.
- Miscellaneous Items: If you have items that remind you of home, such as photos or a stuffed animal, please bring them with you. You might also want to bring some room decor from home (although you can buy some here too!) as well as your favorite non-perishable foods or snacks. It’s a good idea to have some cash in dollars for any purchases you might need to make before setting up your bank account or to avoid issues with international debit or credit cards. I strongly suggest bringing your own sheets and blankets, but if necessary, the Center for International Student Engagement (“CISE” for short) can provide sheets (and towels!) If you have preferred laundry supplies, you can bring them, but you can also buy them from nearby stores like Walmart and Target, which are easily accessible by bus. Additionally, CISE and other resource centers on campus will have laundry detergent available for use. Make sure to bring an umbrella and keep it in your backpack; when I first arrived, it was raining heavily, and I had nothing to cover myself with, so having your umbrella handy is a good idea in case of rain.
2. WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
Do further research to double check if the things that you want to bring are cheaper or can easily be gotten here. For a list of things that you are not supposed to have in your room, check out this link: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/housing-dining/residential-life/housing/recommended-packing-list. For a list of things which are allowed that I don’t suggest bringing, read on:
- Bulkier clothes like winter coats (you can get them here)
- Bedding materials like pillows and mattress toppers (you can also get them here!)
- The school provides bathroom supplies like toilet paper, so you don’t need to bring any–the same goes for menstrual products. Amherst offers them for free in various locations across campus.
This marks the end of my packing guide. If you have any questions or additional suggestions, feel free to contact me at sninziza27@amherst.edu.