"The decisions you make in your first 7 days will shape your entire first year."
Do these 3 things in your first 48 hours
1
Get a US SIM card
T-Mobile ($45/mo) or Mint Mobile ($15/mo) prepaid. You need a US number for everything that comes next.
2
Report to your International Student Office
This activates your SEVIS record. Required within 30 days of your program start date — do it in the first 48 hours.
3
Print your I-94 from cbp.gov
You need it for your DSO meeting, your bank, your landlord. Print 3 copies before you leave the airport area.
Your 7-day plan
Day by day
Work through these in order. Don't try to do everything at once — you just crossed time zones.
Day 1–2First 48 Hours — Land, Settle, Connect
Buy a US SIM card Priority
T-Mobile ($45/mo) or Mint Mobile ($15/mo) prepaid — both are available at airports, Walmart, and Target. Bring your unlocked phone from home. You need a US number for 2FA codes, Uber, bank accounts, and reaching your school.
Print your I-94 from cbp.gov Priority
Go to cbp.gov/i94, look up your most recent entry record, and print it. Bring 3 copies. You'll need it for your DSO meeting, bank, landlord, and almost every official thing you do in the next 30 days.
Locate your accommodation and get settled
Whether it's campus housing or off-campus — confirm you have the address, the keys, and working Wi-Fi. A stable base makes everything else easier. You don't need to unpack everything today.
Find a grocery store and stock up on basics
Walmart, Trader Joe's, Kroger, and Whole Foods are the most common. Most campuses have one nearby. Get enough for 3–4 days so you can focus on admin this week without worrying about food.
Get cash from an ATM
Bring $100–200 USD in cash for your first few days. Some campus services, laundry, and local transport still need it. Use your home bank card for now — you'll open a US account this week.
Text family and friends your new US number
Let people back home know you arrived safely and share your new number. Download WhatsApp if you haven't — most international students use it to stay in touch across time zones.
Day 3–4Admin Essentials — The Important Official Stuff
Report to your International Student Office (DSO check-in) Required
This activates your SEVIS record and confirms your F-1 status. Without this step, you are technically not in active status — even if everything else is in order. Don't put this off.
Bring your full document set to the DSO meeting
Passport + visa stamp, original I-20 (not a copy), I-94 printout, and your admission letter. Your DSO may also ask for proof of enrollment. Originals only — copies are not accepted for the initial check-in.
Get your student ID card
Usually handled by the Registrar's Office or Student Services — often in the same building as your DSO. Your student ID unlocks the library, gym, dining halls, campus health, and a lot of local discounts.
Walk the campus and find your department building
Get a feel for the layout before classes start. Find the building where your classes are, the nearest coffee shop, and where the bathrooms are on your floor. Sounds basic — saves you real stress on day one of class.
Register for health insurance if not already done
Most universities auto-enroll you in their student health plan when you register for classes. Log in to your student portal and verify you have coverage. If you want to waive and use a different plan, you typically have a short opt-out window — check it now.
Locate the library, campus health center, and gym
You'll use all three more than you expect. Campus health is especially important — know where it is before you need it, and confirm it's covered under your student plan.
Day 5–7Set Yourself Up — Banking, Classes, and Community
Open a US bank account Important
Wells Fargo and Chase are most common on campuses. Charles Schwab is great if you'll use ATMs a lot (they refund all ATM fees worldwide). Go in person — bring passport, I-20, I-94 printout, and a campus housing letter as proof of address.
Set up the mobile banking app
Enable notifications, set up mobile check deposit, and verify your account details. This is how you'll pay rent, Venmo friends, and receive any stipend or work payments going forward.
Ask your bank about a secured credit card
You have no US credit history yet, which makes many things harder later on. A secured card — where you deposit money as collateral — lets you start building credit from week one. Ask at the same visit when you open your account.
Attend any orientation sessions
Most universities run an international student orientation in the first week. Go, even if it looks optional. It's one of the easiest ways to meet people who are in exactly the same situation as you, and it's often where practical local tips get shared.
Meet your academic advisor
Even a brief intro meeting is worthwhile. They can flag if anything in your course registration looks off before classes start and help you understand how your credit transfers if you're a transfer student.
Review your class schedule and buy required texts
Check the course syllabus on your student portal. Buy or rent textbooks via Amazon, Chegg, or the campus bookstore — earlier is cheaper. Check the library reserve shelf first; many required readings are available for free.
Category breakdown
What you actually need to know
More detail on the four areas that trip new international students up the most.
Phone & SIM
Do this day 1
Get a SIM card in your first 24 hours. You need a US phone number for two-factor authentication codes, opening a bank account, signing up for Uber, receiving texts from your university, and staying in touch with your school's emergency system.
Prepaid options: T-Mobile ($45/mo for unlimited talk, text, and data), Metro by T-Mobile ($30/mo), Mint Mobile ($15/mo), AT&T Prepaid ($25/mo). All available at airports, Walmart, and Target — no contract, no credit check required.
Bring your unlocked phone from home — it works on US networks. If you need to buy one in the US, Best Buy has the best selection of unlocked iPhones and Android phones at retail price.
Banking
Open in your first week
Best accounts for international students: Bank of America Advantage Banking (student waiver available, widely accessible), Wells Fargo (large branch network, very common on campuses), Charles Schwab (excellent if you'll use ATMs frequently — they refund all fees worldwide).
Bring to the bank: passport, I-20, I-94 printout, phone number, and proof of US address. A campus housing letter, lease, or utility bill all work as address verification.
Ask about a secured credit card at the same time. Building credit from week one puts you years ahead by graduation — you'll thank yourself when renting an apartment later.
Health Insurance
Verify within first week
Most universities automatically enroll you in their student health plan when you register for classes. Log in to your student portal and confirm you're covered before you need it — US medical bills without insurance are genuinely shocking.
If you want to use a parent's plan, employer coverage, or a marketplace plan instead, you typically have a short window — often just 30 days after enrollment — to waive the school plan. Miss this window and you're locked in for the academic year.
The student health plan is usually the easiest option. It covers campus clinic visits and is already built into your fees. The opt-out process requires paperwork — only go that route if you have a genuinely better plan lined up.
DSO Check-In
Legally required
Reporting to your Designated School Official (DSO) is legally required within 30 days of your program start date. Your DSO updates your SEVIS record to "active." Without this step, you are technically out of status — even if you arrived on time and have all your documents.
Bring original documents — passport, I-20, and I-94 printout. Copies are not accepted for the initial check-in. No exceptions.
Ask your DSO about: on-campus job eligibility, CPT for internships, and any upcoming immigration workshops. This meeting is the best free advice you'll get — use it.
No rush
Things that can wait
These matter — just not in week one. Let yourself settle in first.
Driver's License
Social Security Number (need a job offer first)
Credit Card
Apartment Lease
Tax Filing (April 15 next year)
Just in case
What if something goes wrong?
Who to call, and what to do if you think you've missed a deadline.
Who to call
DSO Office
Immigration issues, SEVIS questions, visa status concerns — always your first call for anything related to your status
Campus Health Center
Medical issues, prescriptions, mental health counseling — covered under your student health plan
International Student Association
Social support, community events, finding others from your home country or region
University Housing Office
Maintenance issues, roommate conflicts, questions about your on-campus housing lease
Campus Security
Safety concerns, lost items, emergency escort service (usually free, available 24/7)
If you missed an immigration deadline
If you think you may have missed a SEVIS or immigration deadline — contact your DSO immediately.
Don't post on Reddit. Don't wait to see what happens. Don't assume it'll sort itself out. Your DSO has handled this before and can help — but only if you reach out quickly. The longer you wait, the fewer options there are.
Pack these before you leave home
First week essentials list
Easy to forget when you're packing a whole life into two suitcases. Check these off the night before you fly.
Power adapter
US Type A/B plugs (flat two- or three-prong)
Printed copies of all documents
Passport, visa, I-20, acceptance letter — 3 copies each
International health certificate
Many schools require this for DSO check-in and coverage
Proof of funds
Bank statements or financial sponsor letter — needed for the bank
Vaccination records
MMR, Tdap, meningitis — US universities usually require these
University acceptance letter
Helpful at the bank, housing sign-in, and health enrollment
Download the Arrive app for a personalized first-week checklist, real-time immigration updates, and guides built specifically for international students in the US.
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