📚 Pre-departure Guide for Studying in the USA | 留学美国行前准备指南
Stepping onto a plane to begin your academic journey in the United States is both exhilarating and daunting. This guide breaks down every essential step, from securing your visa to settling into campus life, so you can focus on what truly matters: your education and new adventures.
踏上飞往美国的航班，开启你的学术旅程，既令人兴奋又充满挑战。本指南将为你拆解从签证办理到安顿校园生活的每一个关键步骤，让你能够专注于最重要的事：学业与全新的冒险。
1. Visa and Essential Documents | 签证与必备文件
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay. The Form I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) is your most important document after the visa stamp; keep it with you at all times during travel, never in checked luggage.
你的护照有效期必须至少超出预计停留时间六个月。I-20 表格（F-1 签证）或 DS-2019 表格（J-1 签证）是仅次于签证印章的最重要文件；旅行期间务必随身携带，绝对不要放入托运行李。
Make multiple photocopies and digital scans of your passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, admission letter, and financial documents. Store one set in the cloud and leave another with your family. At the port of entry, you will need to present these originals to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
请将护照、签证、I-20/DS-2019、录取通知书和财务文件复印多份并扫描成电子版。一份存储在云端，另一份留给家人。在入境口岸，你需要向海关与边境保护局官员出示这些原件。
2. Flight Booking and Arrival Planning | 机票预订与抵达规划
Book your flight only after you have received your visa. Aim to arrive a few days before orientation begins, allowing time to recover from jet lag and handle initial paperwork. Check whether your university offers an airport pickup service; many have a welcome desk at major airports during arrival week.
务必在获得签证之后再预订机票。尽量在迎新周开始前几天到达，给自己留出倒时差和办理初期手续的时间。确认学校是否提供机场接机服务；许多大学在新生抵达周会在主要机场设置接待处。
If you need to arrange your own ground transportation, download ride-sharing apps in advance and check if they work in the arrival city. Alternatively, research shuttle services or pre-book a taxi. Have the address of your accommodation written in English to show the driver.
如果需要自行安排地面交通，请提前下载叫车软件并查看在到达城市是否可用。也可以研究穿梭巴士服务或预订出租车。把住宿地址用英文写好，以便给司机查看。
3. Accommodation Arrangements | 住宿安排
Confirm your housing assignment before departing. If you are living on campus, note the check-in time and location; residence halls often have early move-in options for international students. Find out what is provided (e.g. furniture, kitchenware) and what you need to bring.
出发前确认住宿安排。如果住在校内，记下入住时间和地点；宿舍通常会为国际学生提供提前入住选项。了解房间里提供什么（如家具、厨具），以及还需要自己带什么。
For off-campus housing, sign the lease only after you or a trusted friend has inspected the property. Be cautious of rental scams. Budget for a temporary stay in a hotel or with a host family for the first few nights if your apartment is not ready immediately.
如果选择校外住宿，务必在你或你信赖的朋友实地查看房屋后再签署租约。警惕租房诈骗。如果公寓无法立即入住，请预留前几天住酒店或寄宿家庭的预算。
4. Financial Preparation | 财务准备
Carry some US dollars in cash, but do not exceed $10,000, as amounts above this must be declared at customs. A mix of $100–$200 in small bills is useful for tips, vending machines, and immediate expenses before you open a US bank account.
随身携带一些美元现金，但不要超过 10,000 美元，超过须向海关申报。准备 100–200 美元的小额纸币，用于在开设美国银行账户之前的小费、自动售货机和即时支出。
Bring an international credit card that works in the US, and inform your bank of your travel dates to avoid a block on the card. Once on campus, open a local bank account as soon as possible; you will need your passport, I-20, and a US address. Most universities have partnered banks that make the process simple for international students.
携带一张能在美国使用的国际信用卡，并告知银行你的出行日期，以防卡片被冻结。到校后尽快开设本地银行账户；开户时需要护照、I-20 以及美国住址。多数大学都有合作银行，可为国际学生简化开户流程。
5. Packing Smart | 行李打包指南
Airlines typically allow two checked bags and one carry-on for international students. Weigh your luggage at home to avoid overweight fees. Pack a change of clothes, toiletries, and all essential documents in your carry-on in case your checked baggage is delayed.
航空公司通常允许国际学生托运两件行李并携带一件手提行李。在家称好行李重量，避免超重费。在手提行李中装入一套换洗衣物、洗漱用品和所有重要文件，以防托运行李延误。
Prioritize items that are expensive or hard to find in the US: prescription glasses, contact lenses, any specific medication (with a doctor's note and prescription in English), and adapters for your electronics. The US uses Type A and B plugs with 110–120V voltage.
优先携带在美国较贵或难以找到的物品：处方眼镜、隐形眼镜、特定药品（需附英文医嘱和处方），以及电子设备的转换插头。美国使用 A 型和 B 型插头，电压为 110–120 伏。
Below is a quick reference for your suitcase:
以下是你行李箱的快速参考：
| Category | 类别 | Items to Pack | 应带物品 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents | 文件 | Passport, visa, I-20, admission letter, medical records | 护照、签证、I-20、录取信、医疗记录 |
| Electronics | 电子产品 | Laptop, phone, universal adapter, power bank | 笔记本电脑、手机、万能转换插头、充电宝 |
| Clothing | 衣物 | Seasonal basics, one formal outfit, comfortable shoes | 应季基础衣物、一套正装、舒适的鞋子 |
| Medication | 药品 | Prescription meds (with doctor's note), basic first-aid | 处方药（带医生证明）、基本急救用品 |
Leave bulky winter coats behind if you are arriving in summer; you can buy them at affordable prices later. Similarly, stationery and toiletries are widely available and cheap, so only pack travel-sized versions.
如果在夏季抵达，可以留下厚重的冬衣；之后可以以便宜的价格购买。同样，文具和洗漱用品随处可见且价格低廉，只需打包旅行装即可。
6. Health and Insurance | 健康与保险
US universities require all international students to have health insurance. Many automatically enroll you in their group plan unless you submit a waiver with proof of equivalent coverage. Review the policy carefully: understand the deductible, co-pay, and network of doctors.
美国大学要求所有国际学生拥有健康保险。许多学校会自动为学生注册团体保险计划，除非你提交豁免申请并提供具有同等保障的证明。仔细阅读保险条款：了解免赔额、共付额以及医生网络。
Complete all recommended vaccinations and the mandatory tuberculosis (TB) screening before departure. Keep the International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) accessible. Also schedule a dental check-up and eye exam, as these can be expensive without supplementary coverage in the US.
在出发前完成所有建议的疫苗接种和强制性的结核病筛查。将国际疫苗接种证书（黄卡）放在随手可取的地方。同时安排一次牙科检查和眼科检查，因为在美国如果没有附加的牙科或视力保险，这些花费会很贵。
7. Customs and Immigration Clearance | 海关与入境通关
Upon landing, you will queue for primary inspection by a CBP officer. Hand over your passport, visa, and I-20/DS-2019. The officer will take your fingerprints and photo, then stamp your passport. You will be issued an electronic I-94 arrival/departure record; download it from the CBP website after clearing immigration.
着陆后，你将排队接受 CBP 官员的初步检查。递上护照、签证和 I-20/DS-2019。官员会采集指纹并拍照，然后在护照上盖章。你会获得一份电子版 I-94 出入境记录；通关后可从 CBP 官网下载。
After immigration, collect your checked luggage and proceed to customs. Declare any food items, cash over $10,000, or commercial merchandise strictly on the customs declaration form. When in doubt, declare it — false declarations can lead to fines or worse.
入境检查后，提取托运行李并前往海关。若携带食物、超过 10,000 美元的现金或商业商品，务必在海关申报单上如实申报。如果有疑问，选择申报——虚假申报可能导致罚款或更严重的后果。
8. Settling In: Communication and Banking | 安顿事宜：通讯与银行开户
Get a US SIM card as soon as possible. Major carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offer prepaid plans that do not require a Social Security Number. Many international students choose a family plan with friends to reduce costs. Having a US phone number is essential for setting up bank accounts and other services.
尽快办理一张美国 SIM 卡。T-Mobile、AT&T 和 Verizon 等主要运营商提供预付费套餐，不需要社会安全号码。许多国际学生会与朋友合用家庭套餐来降低费用。拥有美国手机号对于开设银行账户和其他服务至关重要。
Opening a bank account follows a similar process nationwide. Bring your passport, I-20, proof of US address (a lease or dorm letter), and the admission letter. Ask for a checking account with a debit card and a savings account. Online banks and campus credit unions often have lower fees.
全美开户流程类似。带上护照、I-20、美国地址证明（租约或宿舍信件）以及录取通知书。申请一个带借记卡的支票账户和一个储蓄账户。网络银行和校园信用合作社通常手续费更低。
9. Cultural Adjustment and Campus Life | 文化适应与校园生活
Culture shock is real and comes in waves. In the first weeks, everything may feel exciting, but soon differences in communication style, academic expectations, and daily routines can become disorienting. Attend international student orientation and join cultural clubs to build a support network.
文化冲击真实存在且会一波波袭来。在最初几周，一切可能都充满新鲜感，但很快，交流方式、学术期望和日常习惯的差异可能会让你迷失方向。参加国际学生迎新活动并加入文化俱乐部，建立自己的支持网络。
Understand the concept of academic integrity: plagiarism is taken extremely seriously. Always cite sources, collaborate only when explicitly permitted, and never reuse your own work from another class without permission. Familiarize yourself with the honor code of your institution.
务必理解学术诚信的概念：剽窃行为的后果极其严重。一定要注明引用来源，仅在明确允许的情况下合作，未经许可绝不重复提交自己以往课程的作业。熟悉你所在学校的荣誉守则。
10. Academic Readiness | 学术准备
Review your course catalog and registration dates before departure. Many universities hold academic advising sessions in the first week; have a tentative schedule ready. If English is not your first language, immerse yourself in academic podcasts and reading materials to sharpen your listening and writing skills.
出发前查阅课程目录和注册日期。许多大学会在第一周安排学术指导会，你可以先准备一份暂定课表。如果英语不是你的母语，多听学术播客、阅读英文材料，以提升听力和写作能力。
Bring a few key textbooks or reference books from home if they are significantly cheaper, but avoid overpacking heavy books. Learn to use the university's online learning management system — Blackboard, Canvas, or Moodle — before classes begin, as professors often post syllabi and assignments there.
如果某些核心教材在国内便宜得多，可随身带几本，但不要过度打包沉重的书本。在开课前学会使用学校的学习管理系统，如 Blackboard、Canvas 或 Moodle，教授们通常会提前上传教学大纲和作业。
11. Safety and Emergency Contacts | 安全与紧急联系方式
Save the campus police number, the international student office, and the 24/7 emergency line on your phone. The general emergency number in the US is 911. Register with your home country's embassy or consulate upon arrival; this makes it easier for them to assist you in a crisis.
将校园警察号码、国际学生办公室电话以及 24 小时应急热线存入手机。美国的通用紧急电话是 911。抵达后尽快在所属国家的大使馆或领事馆完成登记；这有助于在危机时刻获得及时援助。
Keep photocopies of your passport and visa in your room and a digital copy in your email. Always let a friend or roommate know where you are going, especially when traveling off campus. Trust your instincts — if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it immediately.
在房间内留存护照和签证的复印件，并在邮箱中保存电子版。无论去哪里，尤其是离开校园时，务必告知朋友或室友你的去向。相信自己的直觉——如果某个情况让你感到不安全，立即离开。
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