Two - three months before:

• Get your official invitation letter from the ISB
• Get a passport (at least 6 months validity)
• Get your visa to study in India
• Check with your doctor for appropriate medicines and vaccines
• Book your accomodation at the ISB
• Learn something fun about India click here for India resources.

One month before:

• Confirm registration and accommodation arrangements at the ISB
• Submit course bids/preferences list to the ISB
• Get to know your ISB Buddies
• Buy air tickets

One week before:

• Inform the ISB exchange coordinator of your arrival time and date
• Get the exact address for ISB and contact names with particulars of arrival plan
• Keep home university address and contact numbers on your person
• Photocopy all important information (visa, passport, birth certificate, credit cards, travelers cheques, permanent ID/drivers license, etc ), leaving a second copy at home
• Obtain a small amount of Indian currency (about INR 5000) for use upon arrival and for emergencies. In addition to cash of INR 5000, it is recommended that you bring most of the funds in traveler’s cheques in INR, however, an ATM for credit/debit cards is available on campus.
• Arrange appropriate transfer of funds - wire transfer or cash (dollars).
• Pack the most important documents in carry-on (cabin) luggage: e.g. passport, airline ticket, invitation letter, etc.
• Check customs and quarantine regulations and pack separately any items which you need to declare e.g. food, agriculture products, laptop, etc. Detailed information about Indian customs regulations is available from the Indian Embassy or high commission in your country. You may log on to www.cbec.gov.in for information on Indian customs regulations
• Bring a spare pair of glasses/contact lenses and prescription of medicines if needed. Suggestions: visine (for airplane air and pollution), lomotil (for diarrhea), pepto bismal tablets and/or alka seltzer (for stomach pains), aspirin and sinus Tylenol (for headaches), antiseptic cream (for mosquito bites), Avon’s “Skin So Soft” and insect repellent (mosquito repellent)
• Pack some personal items such as photos, address book with contact details of family and friends, etc, to help you stay in touch with people back at home
• Pack something from your home country/culture to share (e.g. costume, snack, recipe, etc)