SELECTIVE PURCHASING

Most things are available in the US, but you need to take some things to help you when you first get there. There are some things that you can take from India, but plan what you need to get carefully; otherwise you might have to pay for the extra baggage.

GROCERIES
You don't need to carry that many Indian spices with you, because there are a lot of Indian stores in various cities in the US, sometimes even whole streets! Be aware of the following:

• If you want to cook and want to save some money, take sambar powder, rasam powder, dal powder, chilly powder, garam masala and any other masala powders you may require, if there's a chance you won't find an Indian store round the corner.
• There's no need to bring things like rice, dal and lentils, oil, coffee powder, sugar, salt. These things are readily available.

SANITARY/PERSONAL CARE
Most sanitary items are available at convenience stores that will be located near you. However, carry the following:

• Carry what you need during your journey and your first couple of weeks.
• Along with your regular toiletry items, carry a good deodorant and a mouthwash like 'Listerine'. (Bad breath and body odor are not looked upon kindly.)
• There's no need to carry Washing Powder, brushes or other washing equipment. There are Laundromats; the place you stay will probably have one too, which are convenient and cheap.

UTENSILS AND APPLIANCES
You can get appliances and utensils reasonably priced at any of the big departmental stores, so there's no need to carry too many items, other than the ones mentioned here:

• Pressure Cookers are expensive in America, so you should get one if you plan to cook rice and dal. Carry extra gaskets, safety valves and weights because you won't get spares in the US.
• Once you've settled down, find a large departmental store for a set of utensils, which shouldn't be more than $40.
• Don't carry steel spoons, ladles, etc., because most utensils are non-stick.
• Drinking glasses are pretty cheap, at 20 glasses for $4.
• Don't carry any electrical equipment like mixers or irons. The voltage in the US is 110V, so Indian appliances won't work.

Departmental Stores in the US:

• K-Mart
• Wal-Mart
• Target
• Sears

LUGGAGE
When you buy luggage, you can either buy hard-top or soft-top ones. Considering the way most airlines handle luggage, you will be better off with hard top pieces than soft-top ones even if you consider the extra weight.

CLOTHES
Unless your assignment is taking you to an exceptionally warm area of the United States - Florida or Southern California - remember that the US, in general, gets much colder than most parts in India. Find out About U.S.A the weather at your destination before buying your clothes. Be aware of the following:

• If you're going to the US during the summer months, you don't need that many warm clothes and a light jacket will be enough.
• But be aware that most of the US has very extreme winter temperatures, and for that you'll need to carry much warmer clothes.
• For all your summer clothes, carry them with you from India, because they are much cheaper. Cotton shirts, jeans, pants, tee shirts, shorts, etc., are the most comfortable clothes you can have.

Work Clothes
Work clothes are important, because they help the impression you make with your company. You'll need the following:

• Shirts: Even if you aren't working in a formal environment, carry at least 5 formal shirts that should be light colored.
• Trousers: Carry at least 4 pairs of good trousers in solid colors like black, blue or gray.
• Jeans: Jeans are pretty cheap in the US, and you can buy yours there, but carry at least a couple of pairs to wear before you buy new ones.
• Suits: Definitely carry at least one good suit with you, even if you won't need to wear it to work. You might need it for other occasions. If your work attire is formal, then you'll need to carry at least three. Make sure that they are dark, blue, black or gray.
• Leather Jacket: A leather jacket is one of the best protections against the weather in winter. Take it with you from India, because as mentioned earlier, leather is very expensive in the US.

FOOTWEAR
You ought to get as many pairs of leather shoes with you as you can because these are expensive in the US. Buy a good pair of black and brown formal shoes. You can buy your Nikes and Reeboks in the US. They cost About U.S.A the same as they do in India. If you are used to walking around in Hawaii chappals, take a pair with you.

For regular casual shoes, having a pair of sandals or slip-ons is fine. There are some good discount shoe stores in the US, like Payless Shoe Source, and some of the Supermarkets have a reasonably priced selection of shoes.

ACCESSORIES
Accessories are important, and it would be a good idea to take the following with you.

• Socks: Buy as many pairs of socks as you will need, as these are a bit expensive in the US. Have a range of colors, especially to go with your trousers because white socks are considered informal.
• Belts: Leather is expensive in the US so make sure to carry your own.
• Wallet: Get a good leather wallet, with lots of place for cards. You will be surprised by the number of cards you will start carrying around within a few months of arriving in the US.
• Ties: Buy a few good ties, and these should be sober and dark colored. Remember that the East Coast is more formal than the West Coast.
• Gloves: It would be a good idea to carry one good pair of leather gloves.
• Handkerchiefs: Carry enough of these with you.
• Inner garments: Have your supply of these. They are available in the US as well, and are not that expensive.

DRIVING LICENSE

Driving in the US is hard at first, but not impossible, and most people rely on their own modes of transport.

• Get yourself an International Driver's Permit from India. You'll have to get a US license once you're there, but that could take at least 6 months, and in the meantime, you may need to drive yourself around because of the lack of public transport.
• The driving rules and methods are very different from those in India, and you will not be spared for making mistakes. You'll need to take some lessons and familiarize yourself with the rules and speeds at which people drive. Also, don't forget to take out some auto insurance if you plan to drive.
• If you don't know how to drive, yet want to drive in the US, it'll be a better idea of you take lessons in India, and that would make it easier for you to learn there. Also, driving lessons in the US can be costly.

Note: In order to get an International Driver's Permit, you have to go to your local RTO with your Passport, and apply for one. It doesn't take that long, nor is it too expensive. It is normally valid for a year, which is enough time to get a US license, and be able to drive reasonably well.

MEDICAL RECORDS

Your medical needs in the US should be covered by Health Insurance, and this should include any family travelling with you. The insurance will, however, take a few weeks after your arrival to become active (the time taken by the insuring agency to issue identity cards). Be aware of the following:

• Even with Insurance, you will be expected to pay certain amounts for some services.
• If you or any family members have suffered from any serious medical problems in the past, are allergic to any medications, or have any medical condition that a new doctor should know About U.S.A, ask your current doctor to prepare a detailed medical report that you can take with you.
• Also ask your doctor to give you the generic names of any medicines that you or family members need or are currently using since brand names for medicines may be different in the US.
• Your doctor in the US will ask you for your medical history, so it is a good idea to carry past diagnoses and treatment records for you or any children that may be traveling with you.
• There are a lot of medicines available in India that you can't get without a prescription in the US and the pharmacies do not accept prescriptions written outside the US. Carry enough supply of any medication that you are using to allow enough time for your insurance to be activated, and a new doctor to prescribe any medicines you might need.
• All medication that you carry should be clearly labeled and have a valid prescription accompanying it.
• There are some medicines available in India are banned in the US and carrying a prescription will guard you against any suspicion of smuggling. This applies especially to homeopathic medicines (which, by the way, are very rarely available in the US) that are often mistaken for illegal drugs at Customs.
• Finally, carry a small kit of medicines for common ailments (headaches, stomach problems, muscle aches, cuts and bruises) with you. It could save you few dollars.