We have come up with a list of essential things
that you must bring and also a list of things you should not bring. What you
bring in the end however is entirely up to you. Travelling light is the best
piece of advice we can give you but if you’re travelling with parents, go ahead
and bring your very own bathtub from back home if you should so wish.
You should be allowed 46 kg (23kg each) of luggage. Generally,
Asian airlines are stingier with the total dimension of the luggage allowed
compared to American airlines. Pack wisely as 46kg of luggage is heavy to carry
up the hill!
-
Food. Malaysian restaurant are far away and if you do find any Malaysian
food items, there are expensive. You are not allowed to cook in the dorm too
and that will trigger the smoke alarm. Yet, do not go overboard bringing food
though as there are many Asians here, so there is a lot of Chinese, Japanese,
Korean and Vietnamese food to be found here. The Penangites here do not really
miss their famous roadside food too badly as the food here is good, so you
should not worry too much. You can bring some snacks or spices (no meat) where
we can cook together during events. Pack food items in multiple layers to avoid
any smell to avoid getting into troubles. Bring some Milo if you miss it but
the hot chocolate in the dining hall tastes very similar if you are not picky
and the Rieber Feast Dining Hall has Milo powder.
-
Textbook. If you know what textbooks you need, you can get it in Malaysia
first but you can always get second-hand here reasonably priced. You can also
buy from Amazon.com and trade-in later for other textbook with minimal cost.
Amazon.com, Half.com or Bruinwalk.com are good places to start from. Ask your
professor whether International Student Edition or India Edition is accepted
but usually they are the same except the homework problem section. Try avoiding
buying from Ackerman Bookstore as they are overpriced but their trade-in
program is attractive though. Yet, you typically cannot avoid getting course readers
from Ackerman or specific bookstore in Westwood. You can also download them
online using filestube.com or similar website but do not use Torrent or
LimeWire.
- Multi-adapter and transformer. It is a must if you
are bringing electrical appliances from Malaysia such as printer. Note that the
States uses a lower voltage than Malaysia does (AC 110-120V, 60 Hz). Advice
from the electrical engineer: most electrical appliances from home such as
kettles, lamps DO NOT support 120V at 60Hz, while most electronics such as
laptops or iPods come with a power adapter that DOES support 120V at 60Hz.
However, CHECK FIRST before plugging in. US plugs are flat vertical two pins,
with and without a round pin on top. Note the output wattage of the adapter as
well
- Backpacks. Useful to have on short trips and for
lugging textbooks to class.
- Calculator. You need them for
engineering/science/economic classes! Bring if you have one at home, or else
you can get one online. Graphing calculator, TI-89 can be useful if you have
one, but not necessarily.
- Prescriptions and supplement. Pack some Panadol,
vitamins and anti-laxative so that you don’t have to buy it here. However, if
you don’t have spares, you can always get it here very easily and they are not
expensive. Supplements are a lot cheaper here too. So, some of us “smuggle” 30
bottles back before and that saved him and his family almost $1000 if he were
to buy it in Malaysia.
- Essential Toiletries. Pack your supply for the first
week and get the rest in Ralphs or Target.
- Personal Effects. Photos of loved ones and
friends will be extremely useful if you should get homesick, but the world is
digitalized now so you can always Skype with your loved ones. Some will pack
their childhood pillow with their “special” smell (is that you?).
- Waterproof Jacket/Umbrella. Even though it doesn’t
rain much, but you will hate walking under the rain. Umbrella sells for $15 or
20 here. If you plan to travel a lot, a waterproof jacket is always useful but
you can always get the jacket here as it is cheap.
- Desk Lamp. If you already have a desk lamp, no harm
bringing it here if it is not that heavy. But you can get it here for $10.
- Cutlery and Plates. You don’t really need them, but
they are handy during breaks when you have to buy your own food. If you don’t
have any, you can get them real cheap too in Ross.
- Documents. Passport, I-20, Visa documents, Original
Certificate (SPM, A-Levels, IB…), IC/Driving license, Supplemental Malaysian
Credit Card (if you have one just in case), School notes (if you think it is
helpful)
- Casual clothes. Bring
enough undergarments that can last you 2 weeks so that you don’t have to do
laundry. If not, you can buy here.
- Accessories. Pens and
pencil (pencil is more common), erasers, rulers, paper clips, sewing kits,
extra buttons, nylon cord, rubber bands, plastic bags, first aid kits,
clock/watch, extra batteries, duct tape, staples and enough refills. Bring your
stationary here if you have extra as it is a lot more expensive. Letter size
paper and 3-hole punchers are the norm so leave your A4 paper at home
- Cash. Bank draft normally takes more than a week in.
The different banks will normally come down for you to open an account with
them. However, it is also during this time when you do most of your settling in
shopping (for appliances such as fans, desk lamps and other comforts) as well
as setting up phone accounts and stuff.
On a side note, if you
have an American roommate, he/she would have typically visited the dorms and
have actually seen the inside of the room. Ask them for their assessment of the
place so you have an idea what you need to get. Also discuss with them what
they will bring so you would not have duplicate items such as two microwaves or
two fridges.
