The Transition Guide 2010 Edition The Duke mbaa

SECTION 1 – PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

• 
  Apply for Visa
  
• 
  Book and Purchase Airplane Ticket
  

• 
  Some airlines (eg. AA) offer special student tickets, which may only be purchased by showing your F-1 visa.
  
• 
  Pay close attention to luggage limitations set by each airline to guide your packing.
  
• 
  Read the information at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening/index.shtm which lists the rules governing the contents of carry-on luggage when flying within the US.
  

• 
  Complete Immunizations
  

• 
  The Duke Immunization requirements can be found here: http://healthydevil.studentaffairs.duke.edu/Immunization_Requirements.html
  
• 
  Vaccines are comparably expensive in the US, eg. 1 dose Tetanus-Diptheria (TD) costs $40.
  
• 
  Be sure to get these done early! TD requires 3 doses, once each month; MMR requires 2 doses, once each month.
  

• 
  Health Checkups (including dental and eye)
  

• 
  a copy of your medical prescriptions (if you take medication regularly)
  
• 
  a copy of your health records (if you have serious or ongoing health problems)
  
• 
  an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses (if you need vision correction)
  
• 
  a copy of your eyeglasses or contact lenses prescription
  
• 
  basic medications (e.g. headache, cold) that you are accustomed to using
  

• 
  Purchase Parking Permit Online (Instructions will be sent by the school in June)
  

• 
  Apply for Financial Aid http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/financialaid/
  
• 
  Learn to Drive
  

• 
  Learn to Cook
  

• 
  Purchase Suitcases (Keep the luggage size limitations of your airline in mind when purchasing these.)
  
• 
  If you plan to purchase a computer, install Windows XP/Office 2003 Software (They are the current standards at Fuqua.) http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/mba/daytime/incoming/technology/
  
• 
  Purchase a Traditional Costume and Flag of Your Country (not a requirement, but it could come in handy for cultural events at school)
  
• 
  Finish Computer Course, Math/Accounting Reviews and Other Pre-assignments http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/mba/daytime/incoming/academics/prep/index.html
  

take the Math and Accounting Reviews, but if you need to, make time to do so over the summer. You

will not have enough time to complete these courses after you arrive without considerable stress.

Failing to complete these may cause you to miss important events as your regular course load and

career search will occupy nearly all of your time.

• 
  Start speaking, reading, writing and thinking in English every day. Feeling comfortable communicating in English is the biggest challenge for many students from non-English speaking countries. A good way of preparing for the speed and dynamics in class, as recommended by the faculty of the Language Institute, is by watching the online videos of talk shows, such as Hardball on MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/).
  

• 
  Confirm your flight at least 3 days before your scheduled date
  
• 
  Consider ordering your cell phone
  

(http://www.oit.duke.edu/phones-pagers/student/wireless/). If you have a phone ready when you arrive in Durham, it will be easier to accomplish all of your other tasks. This guide contains a section on how to purchase your phone.

• 
  Have your name, address and phone number (preferably your US information) written both on the inside and outside of your checked bags. Tie a colorful ribbon on your checked bags to make them easy to identify at your destination.
  
• 
  Make sure you get your bags checked all the way to Raleigh-Durham Airport (the airport code is RDU).
  

• 
  Make sure you do not have screwdrivers, nail files, nail clippers, cigarette lighters, scissors, knives, etc. in your carry-on luggage. They are not allowed on the flight to the US. Be sure you have packed luggage you will carry on the plane in compliance with US Homeland Security regulations, to avoid having liquids and other items confiscated at security. Again, see http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening/index.shtm
  

• 
  Important original documents (passport, I-20, visa, tickets, checked baggage tags)
  
• 
  Money (some cash- especially some small bills for tipping, traveler's' checks, money order)
  
• 
  Copies of your photos (passport size)
  
• 
  Contact addresses and phone numbers
  

Just before you land, the correct local time will be announced – set your watch. Once you leave the plane, go straight to the Immigration counter - rush to beat the queue. It might take 30 minutes or longer to get through it. Have your I-20, passport, and visa ready to present.

• 
  Your U.S. port of entry is the first US airport at which you land (usually NY-JFK / LaGuardia, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C). You will have to clear US immigration and customs here. Before your flight lands (or once you get to the airport), you will be given 2 forms to fill out.
  
• 
  The first is your I-94 Arrival / Departure Card (assuming you are not a US passport holder). It has 2 parts: one is kept by the immigration officer, the other will be given back to you (most officers will staple this to your passport). Make sure you do not lose that small card, otherwise you will have trouble when leaving the U.S.
  
• 
  The second is a Customs Declaration Form which should be pretty self-explanatory. (You will need to declare if you are carrying anything for sale/lots of cash/plants or animals of any sort.)
  
• 
  Going through Immigration is usually not an issue. You will have photographs and fingerprints taken, and answer a few questions, like “Is this your first time to the US? Why are you traveling to the US? Which University?”
  
• 
  Once you have cleared Immigration, you need to pick up your bags (Note: carts for the bags will cost anywhere between $1 and $5 depending on the airport, so you may want to have a few dollar bills handy to use in the machines. Some places accept credit cards). Take the bags to customs to get them screened.
  
• 
  When you locate your bags, give them to airport staff to be put on your next airplane (assuming you are continuing on your trip to RDU). The bag drop-off area is usually a few feet away from the customs area.
  
• 
  If for some reason you do not find your bags, don't panic. Go to the airline office counter at the baggage claim area and report your 'lost' bags. They should be able to tell you where your bags are and will have them delivered to you when they arrive. (You will need to provide your address, baggage tags and a description of your bags.)
  
• 
  Once you have checked your luggage, it is like flying a local flight within the US. Don't walk out to the arrivals area if you have another flight to catch: If you leave the departure area, you will have to go through security again. You will want to follow signs to the gate/terminal for your next flight.
  

Pick up your bags at baggage claim and find the Airport Taxi station. The taxi fare is calculated by a meter, starting with an initial fee of $3.60, then $2 per mile after that (these prices are subject change and should be listed inside the taxi). It generally costs $30-45 (excluding the tip) from the airport to Durham. You need to tip the driver 10-15% of the cost of the fare. The International House provides a handout about taxis which can be accessed using the following link:

http://ihouse.studentaffairs.duke.edu/resources/handouts/transportation.html