Finally made it through the trip? The gruelling 20-hour flight would have sapped the daylights out of you, but there are still a few more things you need to keep in mind before you can leave the airport.
~ First and foremost, remember that you are now a foreign national in this country and there are laws that govern your legal status here. Every paper you sign, everything you say, everything that you even type can and may be monitored and recorded. It begins at the immigration counter and you will see more of it during your stay in the USA. Remember to always abide by the rules. Having said that, don't be intimidated by it; just be aware of it.
~ Ask questions. You may not know the answers to a lot of questions you have with just about anything, for that matter. Explain your problem to an official and find out the answer. One of the good things in this country is that you may meet strangers who are happy to help you. It is a welcoming change you will find from India. However, in all cases make sure that you have directed your questions to the person who is in charge.
~ Have all your important documents ready and these include passport, visa, all I-20s issued to you especially the one of the university you are joining, bank statements, and scholarship or department letters you have. During the last leg of the flight, you would have been handed out two forms: the I-94 Immigration form and Form 6059B (Customs declaration form). Make sure you fill these two forms and have them ready as well.
~ Move efficiently to beat the queue at the immigration counter. This is one place where "slow and steady" will not only make you wait longer in the queue, but if you have a connecting flight you may even risk the chance of missing it. Of course, don't be rude and push people around.
Also never stand up inside the aircraft and rush to collect your cabin bags till the seat-belt sign is turned off. Any unsafe and sudden movement inside the airplane on your part can lead to unimaginable consequences. Just make sure you keep your pace. All terminals and gates are marked well, so you should have no trouble finding your way. In case you can't find the way, either ask someone or just join the way the crowd's moving.
~ At the immigration counter, you may be asked questions about where you're from, which university are you going to, etc. Don't be tense about it. Be cheerful and talk absolutely to the point. Never lie about anything; make sure that whatever you say is written on paper.
Once you are done with the interview and fingerprinting, you will be given the counter foil of I-94 form. Normally they staple this to your passport, but in case they don't, keep it very carefully. This single stub of paper is the most important document for you now, after your passport and I-20.
~ After you get the I-94 stamped, check on the I-20 as well as the I-94 card. In the place where they put the seal of Department of Homeland Security, you should be able to see written "F-1 D/S" (provided you are here on an F-1 visa). If this is not present, go back immediately to your immigration official and tell them that they did not write it.
In the rush of the moment, you may tend you forget this. Do not leave the immigration counter if you don't have this written -- both on the I-20 as well as I-94. It will save you an unnecessary trip to a DHS office later on.
~ Go straight to the baggage counter to fetch your luggage. This is required even if you are in transit. You're going to have to move two or three boxes, depending on how much you are carrying, so pick up a luggage cart to carry the bags.
At some airports the cart is free while at others you may have to pay. Having change of money with you will be helpful. Your bags will be easier to notice if you had remembered to put a suitable eye-catching label or ribbon on it.
~ Cart your baggage to the nearby customs. If asked, tell them that you are a student on an F-1 visa and you are coming to the USA for the first time. Normally they don't ask students to open their baggage. If at all you are asked to do so, hurry up but do not mess up the place.
Food is usually a concern for immigration officials and, unless you are carrying dried and sealed food, you will almost certainly be asked to open your food packets. If asked about the "masala powders" tell them that they are "dried Indian spices".
Do not show any kind of frustration during this process. Inspection of food items are crucial to prevent the spreading of epidemics internationally. Be prepared for the possibility that some of the food your mother lovingly packed gets thrown away.
~ In case you are at the transit airport, find out which gate you need to proceed to. Your airline ground staff will be there to help you. Ask questions when in doubt. You should check in your baggage again. If this is your final destination proceed to the arrival lounge.
~ Before you let your parents know that you have reached, make a phone call to your local contact in the USA and inform them that you have arrived. This may be your relative or the student organisation that is picking you up from the airport. If it is an association picking you up, not only does this relieve them but it also helps them coordinate your trip to your new home.
The writer is a graduate student, class of 2008, from Texas A&M University, USA