Pre-Departure Checklist

Last Updated on 2023-06-25

1. Join Taiwanese Communities in Pittsburgh

Welcome to the Taiwanese local community in Pittsburgh! There are several Taiwanese or Taiwanese-American organizations in the Pittsburgh area, such as TSS in Pittsburgh, Taiwanese Association of America – Pittsburgh Chapter, Pitt Taiwanese Student Association (Pitt TSA) or Taiwanese Students Association at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU TSA). These groups provide the latest event information, social activities for networking with fellow Taiwanese, as well as resources for finding housing partners, telecom plan groups, or second-hand furniture sales.

2. Apply For a U.S. Visa

Upon receiving your admission letter or offer letter, it is crucial to promptly prepare for the visa application process. For detailed information, please refer to the sections on Student Visas (F Visa) or Exchange Visitor Visas (J Visa). If your parents or spouse/partner intend to accompany you temporarily, please apply for a B-1 Visa or ESTA if applicable.

3. Booking Your Flight

After successfully obtaining your US visa, the next important task is to book your flight to the United States. However, purchasing a plane ticket can be a complex process, as prices are influenced by various factors and there is no definitive “best” option. In addition to considering factors such as layover duration, whether it’s a connecting or direct flight, the need to change airports during layovers, or if you prefer a layover at the connecting city, it’s also essential to consider the arrival time in Pittsburgh.

Please note that there are no direct flights between Taiwan and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), so you will have to make at least 1-2 layovers. Flights operated by Asian airlines generally depart from Asia in the evening and arrive in Pittsburgh early in the morning. On the other hand, flights operated by US or Canadian airlines typically depart in the morning and arrive in the evening. One-stop flights are less common but tend to be more expensive. As there are no direct flights from Pittsburgh to Asia, layovers will typically be within the United States or Canada, resulting in a total flying time of approximately 20-28 hours. During the summer, one-way economy class ticket prices range from $850 to $1,400. For more detailed information, please refer to the section on How to Book a Flight.

Departure Date

It is important to ensure that you enter the US no more than 30 days before your Program Start Date instead of your Start of Classes date. However, please note that this rule does not apply to continuing students.

Border Entry
You may enter Canada in advance with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and then cross the US border within 30 days before the program start date.

If you cann’t arrive on time.
If you are unable to arrive in the US before the program start date, it is important to take appropriate action! In such a case, please request your school to update your I-20 (for F Visa) or DS-2019 (for J Visa) and the corresponding date in the SEVIS system. By updating the I-20/DS-2019 and the SEVIS system with the revised arrival date, you can ensure compliance with the regulations. Please note that this rule applies to new students and not to continuing students.

Arrival Time

When considering your arrival time, it is crucial to take into account various factors such as transportation, apartment move-in, and business time.

• Transportation: Please note that the Pittsburgh airport shuttle bus (28X) operates only until midnight. If your arrival is scheduled after this timeframe, you will need to utilize ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. If someone is picking you up, coordinating the timing is essential. For more detailed information, please refer to the section on Pittsburgh Public Transportation.
• Apartment Move-in: It is important to be aware that your living place may have specific check-in time periods or scheduled appointments for showing. Make sure to confirm the check-in procedures with your accommodation provider in advance.
• Other Considerations: Banks and cell phone stores may have shorter operating hours on weekends or may be closed, which could potentially delay obtaining a phone number or other services. Take this into account when planning your arrival and ensure you have alternative options if needed.

4. Rent a House or an Apartment

Finding rental accommodation may require time and effort, but it is a crucial step in ensuring a comfortable and stable living environment while studying in the United States. Once you have received your acceptance letter, you can begin searching for rental accommodation. For detailed information on rental listings, please refer to the sections on University Housing and Off-Campus Housing.

Typically, starting from April, people begin seeking subleases or new roommates on various platforms like TSS groups. May tends to have the highest number of available listings. If you are looking for roommates, you can utilize platforms such as PTT, TSS Facebook groups, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), or request to join rental WeChat groups through acquaintances. Additionally, roommate matching events are often held during pre-departure orientations in late May or June.

5. Build a Travel Packing Checklist

For your first trip to the United States, it is highly recommended to create a comprehensive packing checklist. This checklist should include essential official documents, sufficient startup funds, and any necessary personal medications. It is important to ensure that you have these items readily accessible during your journey.

It is worth noting that the United States has a well-developed logistics system, and major online retailers like Amazon and eBay offer a wide range of products. As a result, most daily necessities and even larger furniture items can be purchased online. Additionally, with a high concentration of students in Pittsburgh, it is common to find affordable items at moving sales. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize packing items that may not be easily accessible or are expensive in the United States.

If you plan to ship items, it is recommended to wait until you have settled in before asking friends or family in your home country to assist with the shipment. This approach ensures greater safety and allows for adjustments based on your specific needs and preferences.

For more detailed information and specific items to include in your packing checklist, please refer to the Packing Checklist section for comprehensive guidance.

6. Prepare Vaccination Records

While the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) do not typically require a pre-enrollment physical examination, it is important to comply with their vaccination requirements or provide proof of immunization as per the guidelines set by the respective schools and departments.

To ensure compliance, it is essential to review the vaccination requirements outlined on the Pitt and CMU websites. These requirements, known as the Immunization Requirements, may vary based on different timelines and department-specific regulations, especially within the medical field. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements relevant to your program of study.

Additionally, if you plan to reside in school dormitories or apartments, please be aware that there may be additional vaccination requirements in place. It is important to check the housing guidelines and consult with the respective university’s housing department for any specific immunization requirements for on-campus housing.

By reviewing and adhering to the vaccination requirements and guidelines provided by the universities, you can ensure that you are prepared and compliant with the necessary immunization protocols.

Upload to the School System

To access the university health information system, typically located on the Health Service webpage, follow these steps. Using CMU as an example, you can visit the HealthConnect website and proceed to enter your information and upload the required immunization records on the Immunization page.

COVID-19 Negative Test Result

As of June 12, 2022, there is no longer a requirement to present a COVID-19 negative test result or proof of prior infection and recovery before boarding a flight to the United States. For more details, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.