Stuff to Bring

Titchie originally wanted to pack everything dear and familiar (including the family dog) into the allotted two maletas and carry-on case, while Tricia went the other extreme by paring down her photo and CD collection down to the essentials. She later had to ask her family to send more of her stuff to New York. How does one decide what to bring to a foreign country, knowing this is not a month-long vacation, but more of a year-long adventure at the very least?

Our pool of graduate students had diverse ideas regarding the things they deemed important to take along. These ranged from the most practical (photocopies of important documents, contact list, money, etc.), to the mundane (spicy tuyo, Knorr packets, dried mangoes, etc.), to one’s attitude (sense of humor, strength of character, etc.).

Let’s start with the basics: tools to keep you organized, academic requirements, clothes, personal effects, supplies.

Tools to help you keep organized (and sane):

1. Originals and photocopies of important documents: birth certificate, driver’s license, resume, I-20, diploma, transcript, passport and visa. Lisa Lazaro (Lesley College, Massachusetts) suggests bringing your Philippine driver‘s license; you might be able to transfer that into a legal license. This will save you a lot of hassle.

2. Planner/Organizer

3. Contact list: phone numbers, addresses, e-mail address of people back home and the country you’re headed for. Have the phone number and address of your future lodgings handy. You might need to call from the airport and you’ll look more like a native if you don’t fumble for your organizer. Rhoel Dinglasan (Yale University, Connecticut) gives another reason for a long list of contacts, “for example, relatives you might have never seen before and their relatives and friends, and maybe their friends too...just in case you get homesick... and haven’t made any friends.”

4. Passport pictures

5. Cash/Traveler's Checks. You might need to make major purchases and if you don’t have an international credit card and certified check, cash is the way to go. Also have change handy when you arrive, you’ll need this for transportation and phone calls.

6. Tagalog-English Dictionary. Even if you are comfortable with the English language, sometimes you might get stuck.

7. Health Records/ Doctor’s prescription. In the US, schools require students to get vaccinations. A signed and sealed (Tricia’s sister had problems with her health form for FIT because it did not have the doctor’s embossed seal.) certification from your physician will be needed. If you have any special needs—allergies, eyeglasses, shots for diabetes, etc., make sure you have it all listed in case of an emergency.

8. Camera. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Why not document it?

9. Cookbook. For those who don’t know how to cook, this will serve as your most important guide.

10. Sewing Kit. No one will be around to sew a loose button, hem your pants, etc.

Tip: You don’t have to invest in formal cooking lessons. You can learn by watching someone cook your favorite dishes

Academics
Interesting enough, not that many people mentioned bringing materials for school. We think it’s important enough to merit priority ranking in your list. Ningning Achacoso (University of Leeds, Leeds) and Charisse Baldoria (University of Michigan, Michigan) recommend bringing books related to your degree and materials for your thesis topic if you already have one. This is most helpful if you’re focusing on Philippine studies. Even with the Internet, that book on Philippine history might not be easily available abroad. Brian Gozun (Saitama University, Saitama) adds that even if you can borrow one from the library or buy one at your country of destination, the old “underlined” and scribbled” book is worth it. Joy Quintana (Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC) also says to bring copies of policy papers on the Philippines because these are not available on the web.

Also if you are published, bring copies of your work. The same applies with those in production; a demo reel with all the programs/segments you’ve produced will show your classmates, professors, and prospective employers what you’re capable of doing. If your field is graphic design, samples of your work and drawing materials you used from college will also be a must.

Clothes
Again, we’re talking basics here. Remember that you have limited space in your maleta and if you’ll be staying in apartment, you’ll have limited closet space as well.

1. Favorite clothes. You won’t be able to bring everything in your closet so prioritize. Bringing your favorites is a good compromise. Try to bring clothes that are wash and wear. There’ll be no one doing your laundry for you. The less hassle in maintaining your clothes the better. Eric Franco (Stanford University, CA) says to have at least ten sets of clothes. (Enough to last you until the next laundry session) Classes are usually conducted in an informal setting. Jeans and shirts are acceptable uniforms.

2. Formal Attire. There might be an international student’s reception, a wedding, or an occasion that only deems a suit or formal dress as appropriate attire. Don’t forget to bring matching shoes and accessories.

3. Business Attire. Guys are lucky this way. Formal attire and business attire is the same thing

4. Filipino Costume. Some may find no need for this but some of our respondents say it comes in handy for international student’s events. Don’t forget the undershirt that goes with the barong.

5. Slippers. If you’ll be in a dorm, Spartan slippers are a must.

6. Cold weather attire. Sweaters, jackets, thermals are a must for winter weather survival. Don’t bring a lot, you can get winter clothes on sale.

7. Shoes. You will most probably be doing the most walking you’ve ever done in your entire life. Comfortable shoes are necessary for your grad school wardrobe.

8. Underwear. Bring enough sets to last you two weeks. This way, you don’t have to do your laundry so frequently.

Personal
Lisa Lazaro says it the best, “That silly picture of your mom hopping on your bed, or of your dog sniffing the water hose— good memories are best kept with embarrassing pictures. If you are lucky enough to have a videotape of your despedida, bring it too.” Of course this also depends if you’ll be able to watch it since VCRs are a luxury for most grad students. For the writers out there, a journal will come in handy recording all your experiences.

Food for the Soul
Even if you’re not the religious type, a bible, rosary, prayer book or other religious items related to your faith will inevitably make it to your to bring list.

Living on your own may sometimes be fun, sometimes lonely, and the silence can sometimes be too much. Bring a radio, CD player or anything to help fill the silence. CDs of your favorite Filipino artists (Side A, Gary V, Bukas Palad were some of the popular choices).
Pugad Baboy, tapes of favorite shows, Philippine magazines and books you can’t live without were the other top ten items listed.

Supplies
Among all our respondents, food was the most popular recommended item to bring. If you’re lucky enough, there’ll be Asian groceries (if not Filipino stores) in your vicinity. If not, it’s always a good thing to stock up on your favorites for times when you’re craving for good Filipino food.

Top Food Choices
1. Tuyo in olive oil
2. Chocnut
3. San Miguel Beer/Lambanog. Especially helpful on cold winter nights.
4. Knorr Packets/Cubes. Sinigang broth. Beef, chicken, shrimp, tamarind cubes. Kare-Kare mix. Chicken Sopas.
5. Dried mangoes. If desperate, you can use this to make mango shakes.
6. Kalamansi Juice. Best served chilled.
7. Skyflakes
8. Lucky Me.
9. Blue Kitchen’s Dulong and Tinapa
10. Spicy Tuna (and all the other varieties, caldereta, etc.)
11. Pinoy condiments. Banana catsup. Mama’s Sita’s marinade. Lechon Sauce.

Some countries might not supply your favorite toiletries like cologne (especially those who favor Spanish colognes, you won‘t find them in the US), soap (papaya, etc.) or even your tabo. Don’t forget to bring a towel too.

When it comes to school supplies, most universities and colleges have computer laboratories for student use. Each institution may have different policies about schedules, the use of the printer (in some schools, they charge for printing) and the copying machine, so find out to what extent your college supports these needs. But should you be lucky enough to have a laptop, by all means, bring it.

Don’t forget to stock on your medicine or vitamins. And if you have special medicines you need to take, find out how to obtain prescriptions in your city of destination. For those who use glasses or contact lens, a spare pair is a must.

Attitude
This doesn’t need to fit in your maleta but makes a major difference in adjusting to your new environment. Rhoel Dinglasan says some Americans are very ignorant about the living conditions back home (e.g., “Do you still live in trees?”—seriously) so your sense of humor will serve you well when faced with similar situations. Just remember to keep an open mind and your sanity when you step off the plane. It’s a different world out there. No matter how westernized you may think you are, there are still a whole lot of cultural differences you will have to figure out and adjust to.